06.14.11 - It's potty time!

Maddie has been actively potty training since Friday. She's amassed quite the collection of stickers on her bathroom chart.


And today, at daycare, she went on the potty 12 times without once messing her pants! Lisa made her a separate sticker chart for her house.

We're so proud of her and a bit relieved (no pun intended), too, as every time she goes on the potty, that's a diaper saved and 14 cents back in our pocket.

06.02.11 - "It's raining!"

That's what Maddie kept saying as she chased Nate with the garden hose. To his credit, Nate didn't mind a bit. He actually thought it was quite funny, which is good because Maddie wasn't about to share it.

05.31.11 - Scenes from the "bay ball dame"

Maddie's been asking to go to a baseball game all spring so when Uncle Tim called today offering us some free Wingnuts tickets that were given to him, we gladly took them off his hands. We even invited our next door neighbors who have a daughter a year younger than Maddie. Her name is Kenleigh and they're good friends. Maddie calls her "Kennel."


Some golden rim lighting highlights Nate's crazy hair.


The carnival is setting up in the stadium parking lot for the River Festival, which kicks off this weekend. Maddie is fascinated with big trucks and wanted to have her photo taken in front of one. Even though she's dwarfed by this 18-wheeler, she seems so big.

05.22.11 - Scenes from Emerson's birthday party

The highlight for Maddie at Emerson's birthday party today were the chickens in the backyard. She had a great time chasing them and enjoyed it even more when Uncle Brent helped her hold one. She tried to show her Mommy but she wasn't interested!

05.08.11 - Mints

Maddie loves to eat the mints from Nan's candy dish. She can't just have one. No, she's gotta have a yellow one. Then a green one. And then a pink one. And five minutes later, she'll want to have some all over again.

05.04.11 - New shoes

As mentioned over on Tommy's blog, Gramma Karen stopped by today and wouldn't ya know? She brought prizes! Maddie got a new hat and a new pair of shoes. She wore them all night! Thanks, Gramma Karen!

04.24.11 - "I find 'em!"

Maddie was super excited that the Easter bunny was coming today! After church, we headed over to Gramma Karen and Grampy Keith's house for brunch and an egg hunt. She knew there'd be an egg hunt and on the way, while giggling somewhat sinisterly, said "I find 'em!"


And she did! We think she had more than anyone else. We're pretty sure she'll beat up her brothers in the coming years if they find more than her.


What's in this one? Chocolate? Jelly beans? A quarter?


There's the Egg Hunters for the day! From left: Nate, Taylor, Keiton, Emerson, Savannah and Maddie.

04.23.11 - "To the airport!"

Maddie and I had a father-daughter date today. We went to the Fly Day at Jabara Airport, a collection of WWII-era aircraft. It was Maddie's first time to see airplanes close up. She sees them flying above our house all the time. If she sees one and you ask her where it's going, she'll respond, "to the airport!" Now she says she wants to ride in one!

04.16.11 - Fancy shades

Thanks for the new fancy shades, Gramma Karen!

04.09.11 - In your face, Daddy!

I can't wait to show this photo to Maddie tomorrow. (As soon as I open the laptop, she'll say, "Find me, Daddy!" at which point I'll have to show her a photo of herself.) She was getting a push on the swing by Gramma Karen as I was shooting photos of Nate with Grampy in the sandbox. I was intentionally shooting with my fisheye lens, which means I had to be super-close to the pinnacle of her swing to make this photo. On my first attempt, I got too close and Maddie kicked me. She thought that was funny and I spent a few minutes "pretending" to be kicked so that she'd give me a good laugh.