Thank You, Sunshine!!!

It's been a wonderful, low-key week. Madi and I have enjoyed each others' company... particularly in the sun! We are so blessed to have such a beautiful backyard. It's been a process and it certainly didn't look anything like this 5 years ago (although that didn't stop Mo and I from attempting to lay in the sun... even with the potential of snakes ;). Matt finally got the last part of our fence hung a couple weekends ago and it feels SOOOO nice to have a completely private backyard.

Some of my favorite things about it: It's big and open. There is generally always a sunny spot and most of the time a shady spot. Our grass is GREEN and healthy (although not currently up to Matt's standard). I have a perfect little garden spot. We have a sliding glass door that WORKS (and is really nice) that comes straight out to the backyard from the house. My kitchen window (above the sink) looks right out into our yard (quite possibly the nicest part)! We have a cozy little patio table with chairs that we can eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner at. Madelyn has a sandbox, with clean fresh sand (No "Ucky worms" in Madi's words...), that she LOVES to play in! She also has LOTS of fun bubble toys that she absolutely LOVES thanks to friends and family! It's completely fenced, which means no children or dogs can get out and no neighbors can see in!

**Disclaimer**

If you choose to peak over the fence, you may or may not find a large pregnant woman walking around in her swimsuit. Don't say you haven't been warned!

I know that the sun is just teasing us and it will soon be gone for too long, but we did our part in soaking it up while it's been here!

(And for the record, this blanket was not used to cover up with, but as an attempt for me to lay on my stomach... =)

I have a feeling this might be our little haven for the summer!

A few things I can't wait for: Even warmer weather so we can break out the kiddie pool and sprinklers! Popsicles!!! =)

We love you sunshine! Please come back soon!!!

P.S. These sunglasses did NOT come off today! She loves them. =)

The Ducks...

These pictures are a few weeks old... okay, about four weeks old, but I have been wanting to share them and haven't gotten to it. Madi and I went to a check-up at the doctor for "baby brudder" and it was such a beautiful day that we decided to stop and feed the ducks! Ironically, I had ran to the store in the morning before work and picked up a loaf of bread, so we shared our usually uneaten heals with them. ;)

"Gucks, Mama"

These two ducks became our friends right away! (Apparently the others were too dumb!) They came right up to us and did NOT seem to be scared!

For the most part, Madi loved it.

Until this happened...

In which case, this followed:

I pretty much had to convince her that she could still take steps and then eventually I hauled her off to the car. Meanwhile, she continued to tell me about the mud on her shoes.

Thanks for the visit "gucks"...

You're welcome for the bread! =)

Our Birthday Girl...

We had a bar-b-que on Saturday night with family and a few friends to celebrate Madelyn's 2nd birthday and Michael's 4th birthday! We're pretty sure that they'll be doomed with joint birthday parties for the rest of their lives (or maybe triple now that their new cousin is here), but they'll live. ;) It's convenient, and fun, and they're kids! Get them together with their favorite people (okay, or just their grandparents ;) and they're happy!!!

We celebrated in full girl-style with Pinkalicious everything...

Madelyn helped me get ready all day by making cupcakes, and licking her fingers, and licking her fingers, and licking her fingers...

If you weren't here, you're probably rather thankful now. ;)

It was pretty simple. Box cake mix. A container of cherry frosting. A can of pink frosting (who knew if came like this?!?), and a jar of cherries...

She loved it!

On a side note: I think it's time I sew us some matching aprons... this dishcloth didn't really cut it!

Her big cousin Seven arrived with flowers for the birthday girl! =) SO sweet. She said, (big gasp of surprise) "For Madi!"

She's such a girl...

Then they couldn't stop hugging each other...

And acting like the crazy kids that they are...

But who can blame them?!? We may (or may not) have started off the day with a cupcake for breakfast...

I mean, you only turn 2 once!

Birthday hats are for everyone! Especially when Seven runs around and insists that everyone wears one!!!

We threw in some train accessories, like this amazing Train Cake made by All Around Cakes, for Michael's sake. He took one long look at it and said, "Is that a train cake? It's missing the connectors between each car..."

Of course he would notice!

Crazy cousin Riley, Aunt Decca and sweet baby Croz...

The birthday kids! =)

Yes, that black frosting was sort of the devil...

And we topped the night off with a brand new BIKE. I haven't gotten anymore pictures yet, but the bike has a seat on the back for Madi's baby to ride along with her! =) Yeah, it's a little too much, I know. Being a girl is rough. And being the only girl on the Lambert side of the family is even more rough... she eats it up though, don't worry!

And just for memory sake...

One week old.

One year old.

It's going by too fast! =(

I guess we'll just have to have another. =)

Happy Birthday, Madelyn!!!

We couldn't love you more!

Cousins!!!

I have so many things to say! I am currently sitting at our computer sipping on a delicious latte of some sort (delivered to me out of the blue by my FABULOUS sis-in-law Haley) sorting through pictures of beautiful little children.

Not that I'm biased.

We had a wonderful weekend filled with family and a few close friends celebrating Madelyn's birthday and then we rushed off Sunday afternoon for the Emerald City to greet the newest member of the Lambert family, Jude Alexander Lambert! It was a perfect end to our long-weekend!

Madelyn LOVES being a big cousin and she takes her role very seriously! Baby Jude is the sweetest little guy and OH-SO-CUTE too! Impressive, for a newborn, I must admit! ;)

When we told Madi that Jude was born (in the car on the way to Seattle), she instantly said, "Madi wock, wock?!?" Yes, she was requesting to rock him...

We let him have his first day of life here on Earth to adjust to adult arms and then we swarmed right in on Day 2 and got him nice and acquainted to his cousins! He seems to have a mutual affection for them! =) And, his parents were/are very gracious to share their new bundle of love with the fam!!! We sure loved it!

Michael and Madi spent lots of their birthday in a car or at the hospital. This picture depicts WAY TOO MUCH personality, if that is even possible. You can see why I couldn't resist posting it.

You see, Michael is FULL of personality (although he may appear quite dull in this picture); it just usually appears when people least expect it. For example, I recently took Michael, Madi and Crosby to the store to do some last minute shopping and I planned a quick stop at Jamba Juice (I had a coupon for a $1 smoothie, surprise, surprise ;) to "entertain" the kids while I did my business. I lugged Croz into the shop (why don't Jambas have drive throughs?!?!) and Michael and Madi followed patiently. When we got into the store, Michael decided he was going to befriend a complete stranger of a man (about my Dad's age) by walking up and grabbing around his leg. Yes, quite inappropriate as Micheal is NOT a short child. The man was very nice and so was his wife, but seriously?!?! WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HIM!!! (Insert many more examples here...)

And although it took Michael a while to admit that he does love Madi, the evidence is clear. He loves her.

As long as she does what he wants her to...

On Michael's defense, he was the youngest of the grand babies until Madelyn, the only girl, decided to be born on HIS birthday. She was clearly attempting to make her mark ever so clear to Michael and he wasn't going to just let her barge right in. Madi picked up on Michael's disinterest in her at a very young age (by at least 6 months) and began taunting him from the get go. Thus their relationship has progressed into a love-hate sort of feeling depending on the mood...

I caught a love-moment here, as Michael is going in to reciprocate the cheek-kiss...

Birthday buds!

And then you throw this crazy cousin into the mix and the party just began!!!

ALL of the grandkids, make picture taking quite the challenge! Seven, of course, is a natural poser. Michael does NOT want to acknowledge a camera 3 feet from his face (personality, noted). Madelyn is OBSESSED with other babies' binkis. Crosby is too young and innocent (and overpowered) to do anything besides chill. And Jude, well, he's just experiencing this all for the first time...

It was worth an attempt. I didn't actually expect to get eye contact from everyone...

Pure sweetness... Michael David (05/16/2007). Madelyn Ann (05/16/2009). Jude Alexander (05/15/2011). Jude missed "the day" by a little less than eight and a half hours. We were a little disappointed, but I'm still giving Krista credit for getting him so close! =)

The biggest and the littlest... He's a PRO at being a big cousin/big brother. I.can't.believe. he's almost 6!!! =(

It seems like just yesterday we welcomed you into this world, Seven! At this very same hospital too! We were SOOOO excited to meet you!!!

We are so blessed. Blessed with wonderful family. Blessed to have good relationships with each other and blessed to be welcoming another baby boy into the family in August.

And for another post:

I can't believe I have a TWO year old daughter...

=(