03.27.12 - My two best girls

Maddie wanted to go for a walk tonight so we did. She's good about walking without running off or running out in the street. Still, I like holding her hand. About 10 minutes later, I was carrying her back down this road toward home after she tripped, fell and bloodied her nose. She was more scared than anything and there was only one little scratch on her hand. Next time she'll watch where she's going and we'll make her wear better shoes.

Angie reminded me of this photo (click here and scroll to last photo) taken about 18 months ago. Look how much she's grown!

09.11.11 - Why the long face?

I took Maddie and Nate to the Law Enforcement Expo this morning. We enjoyed looking at the different police vehicles but Maddie turned shy when she had the chance to meet C.J., a member of the WPD's mounted patrol. But the highlight of the day came when we bumped into Wichita Eagle photographer and friend Travis Heying, who snapped this photo of us and put it in the paper. It's below the fold on the front page of Section B or attached to this story at Kansas.com.

Special thanks to Travis - who's keeping a daily photo blog of his daughter Helen, link over there on the right - for sharing the photo with us to use on Maddie's blog!

11.20.10 - First haircut at the salon

09.25.10 - Exploration Place recap

Maddie also enjoyed Exporation Place on Saturday. She especially liked playing in the water in the Tots' Spot and wandering through the Kansas exhibits. I just liked hanging out with my girl. :)

09.25.10 - First date

Maddie and Daddy went out on their first father-daughter date tonight while Mommy hosted bunco. They had sweet cream with blueberries. In Maddie's words, it was "Mmmm. Mmmm. Mmmmmmmmm!"

08.07.10 - Row, row, row your boat

We took the boat ride at the zoo today. It wasn't our favorite but it was nice to sit down for awhile.

08.06.10 - Royals with the Swearingens

Our friends Brian and Emily, and their boys Cayden and Carter, met up with us in Kansas City last weekend for a Royals game. Here are a few snaps from our seats in the upper deck and hotel. Be sure to check out this photo of Nate watching the fireworks after the game. Check back soon and I'll share some photos of Maddie swimming at the family reunion.

04.24.10 - Another trip to the zoo

Today's trip to the zoo found us in Africa. We're pretty sure this Gorilla was just sleeping!


Hey, Mr. Gorilla! Wake up!


Lions, oh my!


Do you see any resemblance to anyone you know?


At one point, someone commented that this was the cutest hat they'd seen. Hey! What about the little girl wearing it?!!


Maddie did well riding in her umbrella stroller for most of the outing. But near the end she got fidgety so we let her walk to the exit.

04.11.10 - Buffalo Park

We took Maddie to Buffalo Park today. It was her first time to visit a park. She led the way just like she new what she was doing!


Angie shares a moment with Maddie while pushing her on the swings!


Daddy's turn!


An afternoon at the park can make you really thirsty!

03.06.10 - Maddie's first time at the zoo!

The weather wasn't as nice as we'd hoped for but nevertheless we loaded up the kids this morning and set out for the zoo! We spent most of our time in the American Farm exhibit which features horses, goats, sheep, cows and, well, anything you'd find on an American Farm, really.


We made it a point to feed the goats. I believe this goat is named Harley.


Maddie wasn't so sure she wanted anything to do with it!


She came around when we went to feed the sheep. We quickly found ourselves surrounded by sheep. Maddie did much better with these animals and actually gave a couple of pieces without losing any fingers.


Petting zoo food: $.75
Stroller rental: $5
Season pass: $55
Maddie's first trip to the zoo: Priceless!

12.09.09 - Are you grumpy, Daddy?

There's nothing like coming home to this girl after a rough day at the office. Maddie wasn't too interested in taking any photos in front of our Christmas tree so I turned her upside down to shake a smile out of her. Doing so shook the grumpies out of me - just the way it should be! Thanks, Maddie girl!

No Maddies were harmed in the making of this photo.

11.27.09 - Horsies!

After a gourmet cup of hot cocoa from Cocoa Dulce, Maddie and I wait for our turn to ride the Bradley Fair horse-drawn carriage rides. She was enthralled at the sight of them and began waving her arms nearly uncontrollably. What a great date idea, Angie! If you want to go, the carriage rides are free from 6 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The line forms at the giant Christmas tree.

11.16.09 - Kisses

Maddie's learned to give kisses. She loves to receive them as much as we love to give them!

10.26.09 - Tickle me Maddie

We went out to the fabric store tonight to find the finishing touches for Maddie's Halloween costume. This green feather boa isn't it but it sure was fun to play with!

09.19.09 - Welcome home, Mommy and Daddy!

Look who greeted us at the airport today! Maddie girl!

09.11.09 - Flower power

Maddie was feeling a bit under the weather today so after picking her up at daycare we headed over to the immediate care clinic that's near our house. The exam room was full of pretty flowers and butterflies which Maddie just found amazing. The doctor said Maddie's watery eyes and constant sneezing was most likely due to a virus and we'd just have to wait it out three to five days. The flower power of that room must have worked because after a full night's sleep, Maddie awoke to her normal, chipper self again! When it's time to update her bedroom, we're going to have to find some of those flowers!

08.23.09 - Just a swingin'

The weather's been so unseasonably mild the past few days that Maddie and I couldn't pass up an opportunity to play on the swing set today. That's me, on the left, wearing the "dad" shirt. That's Maddie, on the right, wearing the big smile!

07.15.09 - Bedtime stories

Maddie's been falling asleep on her own lately so we've had to start reading books to her a little bit earlier in the evening. You'll notice it's still plenty bright outside and I'm still wearing my work clothes but Maddie's got her PJs on and is about to settle in the for the night.

06.11.09 - Daddy's wrapped around my finger

No I'm not!

Yes. Yes, I am.

05.08.09 - Everyone loves a parade!

Recently Maddie attended her first baseball game. Tonight, she walked (sorta) in her first parade! She joined me as I walked along with the KU School of Medicine-Wichita float in the River Festival Sundown Parade.

Thanks to Kristie, a colleague at KU, for snapping this photo of us.