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.

03.30.11 - Dress yourself!

Today Maddie picked out all her clothes for the first time. Two t-shirts, tights, shorts and boots. Then she decided she wanted to go "out yi-yide." We told her she needed a coat, thinking she'd get one of her lined hoodies from her room. Nope, she came back wearing her heavy winter coat and a stocking hat. She even insisted on wearing the attached mittens, which is something she didn't do all winter. Regardless, still pretty stinkin' cute!

03.26.11 - Learning to read

Never to early to start reading!

03.23.11 - Big sister in charge

As if she needed a shirt to say so ...

03.20.11 - Pockets

Maddie discovered the pockets on her shorts while taking a stroll through the backyard on this wonderful summer-like day on the first day of spring.

03.06.11 - This Tea Party is OK

We've slowly been transitioning Maddie's room into a "big girl" room. It started when we replaced her crib with a toddler bed and removed the changing table. Then we added a small crib for her baby and a book shelf. Most recently we removed the glider rocker and ottoman and replaced it with a small table and chairs outfitted with a tea set. Also new are the curtains, coat rack and lamp.

02.19.11 - Daddy's lttle helper

I finally got the chance to get out in the backyard and take care of the fallen leaves. I raked some, bagged some and mulched the rest. Maddie helped, too. Sort of.