Big Girl Bed!

Well, I finally did it, I took the gate off of Madelyn's crib. She had a great time exploring it this afternoon, and bedtime tonight was business as usual! None of the sneaky games she played in Alaska /Portland when first trying out a big girl bed...I'm sure we'll hit those testy patches again, but so far so good! The big question in my mind is... what time will she crawl into our bed tomorrow morning!?

The Fair!

Well, we made our second trip to the fair tonight after dinner and met up with Tate, Dustin, and Hatilie at the petting zoo! Madelyn got a kick out of feeding the animals some grain, but the big highlight was riding a pony! Listen for her singing "Yeah Haw!" She said that each time she passed around the circle!

Playing Doctor

Leah came over yesterday and recognized a doctor's kit that she had played with a few months back... Madelyn and Leah started to play doctor, taking turns with who felt "sick" and who was giving treatment! It was a riot! Of course, they downgraded the charade once I started filming so you'll have to put the drama in with your own imagination.

Summertime fun

We've been busy with lots of summertime fun! We went to visit our friends Andrea and Tim's new baby, Hayes last week. We all ventured out to a nearby playground - here's a fun picture of Madelyn against the playground mural. She blends right in!


We also made it up to Jenny Lake with the Sibleys on Sunday. Lots of "Jackson beach" fun!




This morning Madelyn and I went to the fair petting zoo and saw loads of fun animals - goats, pigs, donkeys, AND Madelyn got to sit on a friend's horse, which she was extremely proud of. Didn't get pictures, but I have a feeling we will be returning again sometime soon.

Here's a clip of our little Chatty Cathy singing away, and cleverly prolonging bedtime.

Madelyn's Monday Adventures

We were busy yesterday! Here are two movies of Madelyn... the first one is of Madelyn playing in her new "kitchen!" We cruised the neighborhood for good boxes yesterday and came up with some winners! She helped me design her kitchen (complete with a bedroom and a place to change her baby!) and what food and tools would go in it. It was worth hours of independent play yesterday... which means I got to actually sit down on the porch and read a book! Will wonders never cease...!


The second video is of Madelyn's latest creation - she started playing with sticky notes in the car yesterday and made a calendar of her own volition! It's clearly a carry-over from her school routine, but she has got it down. She told me all about the weather, the date, and what the schedule for today would be:) Here she is recreating it this morning on the bathroom door. Sorry both videos are so long, I didn't cut anything so that the grandparents could get their fill.

Fun picts from the week

Here are a few fun pictures from the week... we have been thoroughly enjoying summer in JH - Madelyn and I have been busy every day, visiting all of the neighborhood horses, having tea parties with friends, and endless pretending.

Madelyn has been really excited about baby-slings these days. I think from watching Baby Levi and Baby Catherine resting so comfortable in theirs! Here is Madelyn with her single-baby sling (yes, a string of fake pearls she picked out at our local thrift store?!) and Madelyn with her double baby sling, Also Madelyn and Leah having a tea party, and Madelyn and I out on a Sunday hike at Cache Creek.

more trip pictures

Wow, lots of great pictures, apologies for double posting some of these... we're transfering betweeen MK's and LL's computer. Had a great visit in AK - it was so nice to be able to just let Madelyn roam and explore! She is still retelling endless numbers of stories about "the party," Unkie's airplane, G-pa's greenhouse, her big girl bed, and the blanket G-ma made. She got to meet her (my) cousins Hannah and Chris, and Aunt Sue and Uncle Will and has had fun looking through pictures and pointing them all out.











After AK, we flew to Portland and stayed at the "cabin." That night we played in Jamison Park, where there is a great water feature that tons of kids were playing in. The next morning we drove to Hood River and met the latest addition to the Haspela family. Madelyn was instantly in love with Hazel after not seeing her (except on the computer) since Thanksgiving. A testament to her picking up on how much we love the Haspelas! Baby Catherine is amazing - quiet, peaceful, and cute as can be. We were to glad to have been able to meet her and hug up her family!












On our way home from Hood River, we stopped at Sauvie Island (near Portland) and u-picked organic strawberries! Alas, I forgot the camera?! But, rest assured, a good time had by all - the day was sweltering around 98 degrees, the field sprinklers were on, and the pickings were delicious!

Thanks to all of our family and friends, we had an excellent trip visiting with all of you! Back to routine life in JH...

More AK Pics!

Here are a few more pics.

Happy 4th of July from Alaska

We landed in Alaska on the 30th and have been enjoying hanging out with lots of family. G'pa Jeff and G'ma Jude, Aunt Sue, Uncle Will and cousins Hannah and Chris are all here for the big 4th of July celebration. We were able to get out and about to Girdwood and do some hiking as well as have been playing around and setting up for the big party. Yesterday, we set up the tent which was lots of fun and did all the pre-cooking of the ribs. Here are some pics from the adventure so far. More to come later. Happy 4th of July to all!