"I did it Mommy"

What can I say, I guess all it takes is my two year old wanting to potty train herself, without mom's help. On thursday Maddie decided she no longer wanted diapers so she came out of her room in "big girl panties" I thought "here we go another long experience." I would continue asking her throughout the day and she would come back with " not yet, we will try again later." But only a few minutes later she came out of her room with her potty in hands and sat down and went "pee" we were sooooo excited and since that day we have only had 2 accidents because she couldn't get her pants off in time. I guess my little girl wanted to potty train herself on her own time and she did!!!! Yay Madelyn

The long road ahead...

On Thursday I took the kids to a Naturopath Dr. in Vancouver WA. to get them tested for allergies. For a while I have known that Madelyn was possibly allergic to Oranges and Strawberries because she would develop a rash. Trey has had some skin irritations and a rash that looks like "Exema" for months now and has been itching him constantly. When we arrived and began the testing I thought that the kids would freak out but this testing was all natural and was so "kid friendly". After testing both kids the results came back that they were almost identical except for a few things. Trey can't have tomatoes, plums, or grapfruit, and Maddie can't have honeydew, or chocolate Both kids are however Gluten Intolerant, Lactose Intolerant, corn, cane sugar, fructose corn syrup, peanuts(not severe), oranges, strawberries, and soy. So your probably wondering what the heck my kids are able to eat? They can eat all meat, shellfish, vegetables, rice, natural syrup, fruit, and surprisingly cheese. (cheese has an enzyme in it that is ok I guess).
We started this new way of eating on friday and so far it has been very tough not only the kids but on us as well. The allergies that they are allergic to are very similar to Chad's side of the family as well as Chad. (He always new he is this way but never wanted to get live it). They all eat that way as well some get very sick so it is crucial to start this new diet.
I do not have these issues as far as I know but since my family is this way than it is only right for me to as well. It is going to be a long, long road for us but well worth it in the end. It will take some time to get used to such as taking food now to birthday parties, friends houses, and functions but I want our family to continue living a long and healthy life.

Halloween

Friday began to be a gloomy day since it was raining outside. Until my sis-in-law came for a visit after her dr. appt. We had a great time chatting and playing with the little one's including her little Kyla who was dressed as a flower it was the cutest thing. Later that night we met up with our good friends the Bailey's and Grandma for Trick or Treating. Maddie absolutely loved it this year. She would go to each door after knocking politely "hello, trick or cheat" and she would either say "can I have lots of candy, or I have lots of candy" she would finish by saying "thanks have a GREAT day!" and on we would go to the next house. We all had a blast watching her this year.

At first she wanted nothing to do with her Princess Fiona costume


Trey was so happy to be a dragon (also from Shrek)


Trey and little Kyla soooo cute

Finally Grandma arrives and she loves the costume

Trick or Treating with Issy the skunk

Thanks Grandma for flying her up the stairs many times

To finish off the night we went to our friends the Malmbergs for a fun Halloween costume party. (hint) dress up. Chad nor I have ever dressed up together so this was quite funny to say the least. I was Storm from X-men, and chad was Superman. It was hilarious so I thought. After being teased Chad will never wear tights again hahaha.

Amber had made amazing food and beverages as well as Daniel's Haunted House and the fun games we did. Thanks for putting on a great night "Martha Stewart" (AKA Amber)

The kids especially Christopher, Maddie, and Lucy loved

jumping on the balloons.

Amber the Black Widow and I Storm

Maddie loves her little brother dragon

The end to a perfect and fun Halloween

Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday after the Backyardigans we headed to Stocker Farms with some friends and Grandma. The weather was perfect and I couldn't have asked for more perfect pictures thanks Jenn. We had a great time watching Maddie,Dottie,Mo, and Avery run around and pick out their pumpkins. What a great day!

A Backyardigans Adventure

It began Fri night, Grandma,Daddy, Trey, and I went to Bellevue Square to meet the famous Backyardigans. Madelyn being a two year old wasn't quite sure what we meant by "meeting" them. When we arrived at the Nordstrom's I heard this gasp "Hi, Pablo" Madelyn finally meeting her idols since she was about 8 months old. The line was long but thanks to Grandma we made it just in time, she was able to meet Pablo, Tasha, and Austin and take a picture with them. Her face expression was priceless. She also got to take home the new movie and Tasha.

Madelyn meeting her favorites people of all time

Let the show begin...

The next morning we drove to the Paramount with Grandma and the Johnson Family to see the Backyardigans in action. I thought she would love it but not as much as she actually did. Poor Grandma and her legs i'm sure were bruised from Madelyn bouncing up and down through almost the whole show, while singing and dancing. It was hilarious and definetely made the show well worth it. Nothing is better than seeing your daughter having the time of her life. We loveyou Madelyn.

Its show time boys and girls

" I'm not an egg anymore"

Time to go home

What a great adventure Dottie and Madelyn

had with their fairy wands

Our friends the Backyardigans.

See you next time...

Special Times

I am finally having the time to update about the past few weeks so here you go...

Zoo Day

On Friday my good friend Charise and I took the girls to the zoo for the day the weather was perfect and almost all the animals were out. We had a great time together as always.

Looking at the Giraffe

Sitting in the wagon together

Cystic Fibrosis Auction

That night Erin J and Erin C put together a Cystic Fibrosis Auction Dinner it was put together so well and the outcome was amazing. They were able to raise over $5,000. The night was not only for Cystic Fibrosis donation but also in memory of Jolene. Great job girls...

Kyla Abigail Hadley

After a 11 days of being over due, and finding out that she was breach my sister-in-law Laryssa had sweet Kyla Abigail on Sat afternoon. They spent 6 days in the hospital because she stopped breathing twice but now they are home and the family is doing very well especially beautiful Kyla.

Sweet baby Kyla Abigail

Engagement

The next weekend we headed down to Vancouver. Friday afternoon Adam took Britney to Portland for the day and they ended up in an Art Gallery where he had talked to the owner about hanging a picture of the two of them. She was completely surprised by seeing the amazing picture and not even knowing that he was on his knee proposing. Later that night they arrived at my parents for a surprise couple engagement party. Mom put together skits from different wedding movies that we all took part in acting out, ate pizza, and had a blast. We are so excited to have Britney become part of our family and to go to Manhatten NY for the wedding December 5th. We love you

"I'm Engaged"

Opening their gifts


Sooooo cute

So You Think You Can Dance

Saturday afternoon we headed back to Seattle for a "Girls Night" of So You Think You Can Dance show. My mom, sister, and I sat together and had a great night of seeing some of the most amazing dancers ever. It was a night to remember always.

Dinner with the girls at TGI Fridays

Sommer,Rach, and I during intermission

Mindie, Mom, and I at the show


Two of my favorite dancers Kerrington and Twitch

Taking a bow. It was a fantastic show

Chad begins the start of a long 4 yrs....

Yes its true Chad started school last monday at BCC to take his pre-requisites to get into Physical Therapy school. It is going to be a long but well worth it 4 yrs. In December he will have applied to about 10 schools to attend and after taking the GRE Test we will know our destination by Spring of 2009. I am a little nervous to say the least but also very excited for Chad to have a career that he is excited about. Let the adventure begin....

Trey is 9 months old....

Trey is growing up so fast each day he is doing something new. His new favorite is to wrestle with his big sister. Well you could say "get taken down by her". They are having so much fun together. Now that he is very mobile crawling and standing up onto everything she thinks he is a toy. We love him so much.


He is soooo sweet

Wrestle Mania

I love his smile

Well that sums it all up sorry it was sooo long

"Baby Steps" now onto the next race

About 6 months ago my mother-in-law had asked if I wanted to run in the "Jock and Jill Marathon" with her on Labor day. My first thought was "heck no" but I said yes. Since I have never ran nor trained for any sort of race besides hurdles (10yrs ago) I didn't think I could do it. As well as having the excuse for the last 2years of being pregnant or nursing). So last fri I looked at my calendar and saw that day was the last day you could sign up so I did it. There was no backing out now the money has been paid eeeekkkkk....

I woke up Monday morning and headed out for the race, she was doing the 1/2 marathon walk and I was doing the 4+ mile run/walk. I thought I would start baby steps and work my way up. Well little did I know that as soon as the gun went off I started to run with everyone else and before I knew it I had run the whole way to the finish. I felt like I had accomplished something that day and was ready for the next step which will be the 1/2 marathon in Leavenworth on October 4th. Wish me luck...

Thank you to my family for their support that day!

I love you...