The Harris Herd

Fancy Fiber Farm

2010-12-04T06:32:00.000-08:00

Cooper, Madelyn, Matthew, K.J. Caleb, and Leila

That is the largest Angorra rabbit we have ever seen!

Courtney and Leila

They spent the whole morning walking hand in hand--so cute!!

Madelyn and dolly the sheep

I used to teach with Mary Berry years ago, and this summer, we bumped into each other at Olive Garden. She now owns and operates Fancy Fiber Farms in Farmersville, Texas which is about a 25 minute drive east of McKinney. Mary has over 50 animals that she raises for their fur/hair. She is also a master weaver, and when Madelyn was born she knitted a beautiful baby blanket from the fibers she spun and dyed.

She invited us and few of our good friends to brave the extreme Texas heat and tour her farm.

Mary spent the morning walking us around the farm, letting us pet and feed the rabbits. The hardest part for our motley crew was trying to remain calm and quite, so that we would not frighten the bunnies. The kids really did try, but they were so darn excited! Especially when Mary brought out Hercules, the ginormous Angora rabbit! He was a beast!

We got licked in the face by the goats, chased chickens and even got to spray the bellies of the Alpacas, as they sought respite from the 100 plus heat. And a great bonus was that Mary sells cage free chicken eggs, so we all left with fresh eggs to enjoy at home. We greatly enjoyed our morning on the farm, but as you can tell from the pictures, we were HOT and ready for a fun lunch date at Chick Fila and so much needed air conditioning.

Tourists in Abilene

2010-11-30T18:07:00.001-08:00

I have been to Abilene many times to visit with Michael's family, but being the history nerd I am, I wanted to be a tourist in Abilene and check out some of the local museums. By far my favorite museum was Frontier Texas! It was highly interactive and informative for all ages 4-104. The kids had a great time exploring, riding and moving all sorts of artifacts.

Explored a Tee-Pee encampment.

Learning about wagons and trail rides.

waiting patiently for the 3D frontier experience

National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature

Its a free site, that has a plethora of illustrated pages and artwork from many familiar stories and award winning artist on display. The reading room had a giant table made out of books. It made for a short story time fun.

The Grace Hotel and Museum

Jonathan drove Maddy around in the ambulance.

Madelyn and Mackenzie dressed up and gave us an encore performance in the Children's theatre.

Kivihlen Family Reunion 2010

2010-11-30T17:17:00.000-08:00

Fun with Jonathan and Mackenzie

Granny and Madelyn

The back porch, where I sent many hours working on a puzzle.

The Harris Herd

David, Granny, Linda and Judy
For the first time, the family reunion was not held in Crossplains, Texas rather in Lawn, Texas. Technically it is smaller than Crossplains, which to this city dweller was harm to fathom. But we stayed at the Miller Ranch retreat, that was able to sleep everyone in the dorm upstairs. It was fun to stay up late and visit with the family.

Summer Fun

2010-11-30T17:06:00.000-08:00

Cosmic bowling

It was very hot during July, and the best way to cool off after cutting the grass was to turn on the sprinklers and run through them as many times before they cycled off. Maddy especially squealed with delight when daddy swung her through the sprinklers.

Enjoying the festivities of Fourth of July.

Moose Salad

2010-08-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

During our entire stay, I kept asking if I could "bait" the Eckles backyard, so that I could see more of Maddy the Moose. While at the Alaskan Center for Wildlife studies, I found a recipe for Moose Salad. It really lists food such as cranberries, watermelon weed, and dandelions that are super scrumptious for a Moose. Very tempted to try it, but we ended up laughing more about the idea of it.

Waiting for story time

Learning about the globe

A science experiment on water cohesion

Kaelin and Maddy in circle time.

Touching the teeth of a Beaver Skull

Going for a hike down to the stream.

I got really excited when I got to see the tree mushroom things, that I had always seen in the Smurf cartoons, but had never seen naturally occurring in Texas. Look those things are real!

Maddy and Kaelin exploring the flora around the stream.

Small world, our ranger Sarah, had just moved to Homer from Melissa, TX (just north of McKinney).

Kids learning about the available fresh water in the entire world.

Cute Baby Squirrel we found on our hike

To help us learn more about the flora and fauna of the stream the kids made stream headbands complete with whales, bears and salmons.

The center was atop of a mountain and we had a great view of the Homer Spit on the way back down.

Bald Eagles

2010-08-15T21:01:00.001-07:00

Michael did a great job capturing the majesty of this eagle.

Homer is home to and a natural sanctuary for Bald Eagles, thus hundred of America's iconic symbols can be seen flying around the area daily.

This Bald Eagles nest was in town and if you look close you can see some eaglet beaks peeking out.

Bishop Beach were a baby bear had just been spotted walking on the beach

Dandelions, tall ones were everywhere. Madelyn and Kaelin loved to pick them and blow the wispy tops off.

Sea Farer's Memorial and Star Fishs

2010-08-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

The memorial is on the Homer Spit and is dedicated to all those who have lost their life a sea.

Maddy was just added beauty to an already picture perfect scene.

Kaelin, Koren and Madelyn....three little monkeys sitting on the wall

Kachemak Bay and if you can see in the lower right hand corner...Sea Otters!

Star Fish...huge ones

A purple star fish that matches our shirts

Madelyn was not so sure about feeling the tiny suction cups on the bottom of the star fish.

Throwing rocks, her new favorite past time.

Did you know that popping fresh sea weed pods is equivalent to popping bubble wrap?

The Homer Spit

2010-08-15T19:03:00.001-07:00

The view from the Eckles' home... now I could get used to seeing this every morning.

Our morning routine involved at least three to four books.

Best Friends had so much fun playing together!

Homer Spit Beach

Crab pots from Deadliest Catch, Time Bandit . On T.V. I never realized how large the pots were, until I climb into one. The Time Bandit is based in Homer, but was off fishing in the Bering Sea while we were visiting. I have a whole new respect for the hard job these guys do. Suddenly the paying the high price for crab/fish is much more worth it.

Feeling a bit "Crabby"!!

Madelyn and the Gordon's fisherman who hangs out on the dock.

Salty Dog Saloon is Homer's Iconic landmark. Decades ago, it was the first light house and post office, public school, general store, lawyers office, and now a restaurant and bar.

Cook Inlet, Volcanoes and Welcome to Homer!

2010-08-15T17:33:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Blue rivers descending from the near by melting glaciers.

This was the scene we saw for many miles along the highway...more construction!!! I get it, because of the weather, they are very limited in time to achieve all of their construction projects. One interesting feature is that most of the construction was done by women, we saw very few men working on the roads.

Double Glacier an inactive volcano on Cook Inlet.

Redoubt Glacier an active volcano on Cook Inlet

Redoubt Glacier an Active volcano--the up close shot. If you are seeing spots before your eyes, no its not you, it was the camera. Just as we stopped at the most scenic picture taking stop, the wind blew two specks of dust into the camera, resulting in black spots that were determine to take up permanent residence and mar the most breathe taking pictures. Thankfully Amy had her spare camera available for us to use to capture some amazing memories.

Iliamna Volcano an active volcano on Cook inlet

Welcome to Homer!!! Halibut Fishing Capital of the World that did not disappoint!

Glaciers, Glaciers, Everywhere!!

2010-07-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

Burns, Middle and Bryon Glaciers are found in beautiful Portage Lake. We made a visit to Begich-Boggs National Park to admire the glaciers and icebergs of the lake. The scenery once again is breathtaking!

Parts of a breached iceberg still floating.

I have already found a new adventure for my next trip to Alaska, the Portage Glacier boat tour. Next year Madelyn will be old enough for the ride to 26 glaciers and icebergs, including the Byron Glacier that you can actually walk on.

Middle Glacier

Burns Glacier is a valley glacier.

Maddy and Smokey the bear hanging out at the visitor center.

Portage Lake Glacier--loving the cold weather!

I was beyond giddy to see snow and glaciers in June!!!

The top picture is the trickling of the waterfall the ends in a rushing cascade of the bottom picture.

Middle Glacier

Anchorage and Turnagain Arm

2010-07-21T17:44:00.000-07:00

The Chugach Mountains frame the city of Anchorage.

We land in Anchorage at 11:45 p.m. and the sun was bright and shinning and high in the sky. Our bodies were tired from traveling all day, but mental were given a twist by the Midnight Sun and the odd fact that people were walking around Anchorage like it was an early summer evening. Not a few random people, but kids riding bikes, people doing yard work, buses making regular stops. The only clue that is was late into the evening was that the majority of the stores were closed. Even the "Eat Late" at Taco Bell store. By the time we got our rental car and headed to the hotel, Madelyn was out cold. So we toted her to the only open restaurant near us--Denny's. The sticker shock of the price of the food really took us by surprise, but after traveling 12 hours to get there, we quickly understood. (By the way, McDonald's has a $2.00 value meal--and that was cheap.) At the hotel we attempted to draw the black out curtains, but they just didn't block out all the light. Maddy was up at the crack of TEXAS time, just as schedule for home but we were three hours behind central standard time. You would think a nap would for sure be in her future, but she was just as interested in the nature around as we were.

In Airport park, part of Denali National Forest.

Earthquake Park the site of North America's strongest earthquake of a 9.2 magnitude in 1964. You can still see where the earth separated and rose seven feet from the other plate.

The Cook Inlet waterfront in Anchorage.

Mackenzie Point--taken just for Mackenzie

Turnagain Arm provided us some of the beautiful scenery. The four hour drive from Anchorage to Homer went by fast in terms of so much scenery to look at in awe and wonder. But at the same time we felt compelled to stop at every scenic point and take pictures. What should have been four hours turned into a seven hour drive when you added up all the pit stops. But it didn't feel so long, because we were truly captivated by the majesty of the area.

We took over 200 pictures during our drive, but they just do not do the beauty and majesty justice.

Turnagain Arm has two high tides and two low tides a day. The current is extreme and you could visibly see the rippling of the current as it was pulled out to sea. Beluga whales and sea otters are often seen in the waters. We saw several Sea Otter Rafts floating along and looking ooh so adorable. Maddy even saw some whale spray.

Psalm 90:2 "Before the mountains were brought forth,or ever you had formed the earth and the world,from everlasting to everlasting you are God." It make me sad that I wouldn't get to see this view everyday in Texas. God never ceases to amaze me with his creations!

Overlook Waterfall was one of the many cascading beauties we saw, but this one was just WOW!

The entire drive was riddled with cliffs with small cascading waterfalls remnants of the melting snow caps above.

A day in Seattle

2010-07-08T15:25:00.000-07:00

Seattle Aquarium has an awesome Touch and Feel pool program.

A little apprehensive at first because the water was so cold, Maddy had so much fun touching the starfishes and anemones.

Maddy standing in the Jellyfish enclosure.

Maddy was all eyes as she watched the octopus suck its way over the glass to her. She was enthralled by watching the individual suction cups contract and release it was just feed some yummy seafood concoction.

It was feeding time for many of the exhibits while we were there--just sheer luck. The diver would take out several little fishy's and hold them up for the larger fish that would just swim by and snatch up their lunch. In this picture, Madelyn's head is in the bottom right hand corner, the diver came over to her and waved and threw out a large handful of fish and immediately the tank rushed right up the corner. Maddy jerked back as one of the sand sharks plunged into the glass. Thrilled with the action, she wanted to see more.

Maddy and Daddy give their Gig'em

This adorable sea otter kept trying to escape his enclosure. One day he will scratch through the glass and escape into freedom.

This seagull "Gus" is one of Madelyn's new friends. After the Aquarium went ate lunch outside on the pier. Gus felt like he was one of the family and promptly perched himself right next to Madelyn. For a while I was pretty sure that Bailey the Beagle's spirit had been reincarnated into Gus, because as soon as we got our food, Gus chimed in with "Mine, Mine, Mine" incessantly until he was fed scraps.

After lunch we took a harbor cruise in Elliot Bay and Puget Sound.

Madelyn is so much like me, she is very content and happy to be on water.

The day we were in Seattle was the first time this year that the temperature reached with 75 degrees with bright sunny skies....beautiful day!!!

Mt. Rainer in the distance, behind Seattle's famous seaport loading dock.

After the harbor cruise we walked--trekked up hill some very steeps hills up to Pike's Market and walked round, watched the fish throwing guys, and my personal favorite Beecher's Cheese Factory. Last time we visited Seattle I was three months pregnant with Maddy and was beyond nauseous with the multitude of smells of the market. Michael and I went to Beecher's then, but I was too sick to eat anything, so for the last five years all I have heard from Michael is how wonderful their Macaroni and Cheese was. I can now say for myself that it is in deed good, but their Squeaky Cheese Kurds were the best! Yummy!

Texarkana, USA

2010-06-21T19:45:00.001-07:00

Only Courthouse and Post Office in the United States that straddles two states. In fact if you sent mail from this post office it would be marked as not Texas or Arkansas, but Texarkana USA.

Mackenzie in Texas and Jonathan and Madelyn are in Arkansas.

Casey-Michael's Sister and Mackenzie and Jonathan.

Ace of Clubs house. Legend has it that the house was built with money won from a poker game. The owner built the home in the shape of a "club" playing card.

Regional Museum of History.

Union Station and the Jail also sits on the states division line.

Before cars roamed the streets, this was the main fountain in the center of the town for horses to drink from.

Madelyn's Spring Music Recital

2010-06-21T19:23:00.000-07:00

Madelyn is the second kid from the left signing the motions to "All you need is Love".

Ms. Mary helped the "Groundhog" class with the sign language for "Put a Little Love in your Heart". It was absolutely adorable. I was laughing, crying, and beaming with pride all at the same time. Michael and sat their watching and could not believe that our baby girl was old enough to be up there performing. Now everday Madelyn wanders around the house belting out these songs.

For the Finale, all three hundred kids sang and signed "We are the World".

Madelyn goes to Castle Hills Montessori and it has an amazing music program. This year's recital was called "All You Need is Love". Each class from the three schools performed their own 70's themed song. Madelyn's class decorated their own groovy shirts with their names and wore the cutest "Rock Star" glasses.

Memorial Day Weekend

2010-06-21T18:59:00.001-07:00

Madelyn strutting her stuff.

It took Jazelyn three "slips" to make it to the end of the slide

Arianna

Grammie's turn on the slip-n-slide.

Madelyn showing us how flexible she can sliding.

La Shea showing off her old cheer leading moves.

A domino chain of silly girls sliding their way down

My twenty year come back on the slip-n-slide

Aunt Shea turn slide.

Jazelyn sports a very cool new look

My Grammie, what beady eyes you have

"Grammie, I have a water gun and I know how to squirt it!!!!"

Michael--our live bubble blaster!!

Memorial Day Princesses

La Shea & JD

Little Gym Gymnastics Show Week

2010-06-21T18:47:00.001-07:00

Doing the Bear Crawl

Showing off her handstand on the bars

Practicing her "Taadaa". I know this doesn't mean much to many people, but can you tell she has been working on her streamline arms for swimming?....she is going to be such the swimmer.

Erika and Madelyn after getting their medals.

Bluebonnets

2010-06-21T18:42:00.001-07:00

Easter 2010

2010-06-21T18:23:00.001-07:00

Each year the Easter Bunny leaves a trail of eggs to help Madelyn find her hidden basket

Enjoying her loot.

Grammie and Madelyn

Family picture

Grammie and her girls.

Shaking the egg to see if there is any candy in the egg.

Eckles Farwell Party

2010-06-08T16:27:00.000-07:00

Madelyn and Kaelin

Our dear friends the Eckles have temporarily made their home in Alaska and before they left, they had once heck of a going away party. Sure it was a mix of a neighborhood Easter party, but the kids had a blast playing, going on pony rides, petting some exotic creatures and running until they were exhausted. We already miss them, but we are super excited to go visit them this summer!

Disney on Ice

2010-06-05T17:11:00.000-07:00

Madelyn was so excited to see all princesses!

Sport'n her snow cone smile--Madelyn worked Grammie up for this cool treat.

Maddy spent the majority of the program just belting out the songs and trying to "ice skate" in our cramped row of seats.

Jasmine and Aladdin

Tinkerbell came up to us, waved and said hello to Madelyn. In her awe struck trance all she could must up was a smile and wave. Tinkerbell skated off and THEN Madelyn started talking, shouting out to Tinkerbell. Needless to say, she was super EXCITED!!!!!

That's what a really cool grandma looks like...

2010-06-03T16:27:00.001-07:00

Easter Egg hunting fun

Madelyn and Mr. Bunny

Petting Zoo Fun

That is what one really cool grandma look like!

We had our annual Stonebridge Ranch Easter Eggstraganza complete with Mr. Bunny himself, thousands of eggs, jump houses, and Madelyn's favorite a petting zoo.

Meramac Caverns

2010-05-30T05:51:00.000-07:00

The Jesse James Gang reportedly escaped into the cave system after a train robbery. They left the chest on "Loot Hill" empty of course with their shackles, shovel and other artifacts.

There is an underground river that flows through the cavern, creating some 6,000 plus caves in the Meramac Hills. The sign points to Loot Hill.

Cave Bacon, Soda Straws, Stalagmites, and Stalagmites.

Madelyn was more interested in the Bat hanging above us than smiling the picture.

Reflection Pool

The Wine Table is the rarest and largest cave formation in the world.

The constant cool 58 degrees and the show curtain back drop made for a beautiful light and music show at the end of the tour.

We visited Meramec Caverns in Stanton, Missouri on adventure back home. It is advertised as the Jesse James hide out after a train robbery and the roadside signs made it look pretty appealing. And really I was trying to break up the driving of a very long drive back home. We drove through some very interesting, back woods towns and finally made to a riverside campground and the entrance to the cave. Since we there during the tourist off season, not everything was open ( I wanted to pan for gold and do the zipline), but it was still had fun and were able to stretch our legs; and now Madelyn can add spelunking to her bucket list.

Catherdral Basilica of St. Louis and the Zoo

2010-05-18T17:42:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the St. Louis Zoo is Free all the time. Its apart of their city charter that zoo will always be free so to better educate their citizens. The zoo was great not just because it was free, but had lots of close up exhibits and a fun train that took you through the exhibits and all around the zoo.

Madelyn's favorite animal--Baby Jaguar!!! that was the only animal we HAD to see at the zoo.

Who knew that Rhinoceros's had fuzzy ears

Our afternoon adventure took us to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

The interior of the Cathedral was beautiful..words can not fully describe how ornate it was. Started in 1907 the building is a mix of Byzantine and Romanesque architecture, with all the mosaic art work hand designed and laid the next 30 years. I would highly recommend a visit to the sanctuary itself and the crypts.

Jefferson Barracks

2010-05-16T17:16:00.001-07:00

Madelyn resting on one the cannons that used to defend the Barracks along the Mississippi River.

Our afternoon adventure to Jefferson Barracks was humbling. The Barracks opened in 1826, at one point was the oldest and first permanent military post west of the Mississippi River and serves as a final resting place for soldiers going farther back than the Spanish American War up to present day soldiers. During the Civil War through WWII it was a training camp, hospital, and departure point for soldiers being sent off to war. We drove around the grounds for a few hours and in every direction we saw row after row of white headstones that marked our nation's hero's--known and unknown who have sacrificed their life so that my family and I can fully experience freedom and protection-something I think we all take for granted.

Jefferson Barracks is the second largest National Cemetery.

Spanish American War Unknown Solider

Civil War Unknown Solider

The city of St. Louis runs a quaint little museum lead by volunteer docents. Our docent was Bill a WWII veteran who found a willing history nerd (me)to listen and he took full advantage of me and walked me through EVERY exhibit. He especially enjoyed Madelyn who asked him a lot of questions and that just made his day. I learned much that afternoon, more than what history books record. It was getting to hear personal stories and connections to the exhibits that made the lesson memorable. I know I am often guilty of saying, "I already learn that" and tune out what is being said. But to see Bill's face light up as he was talking was priceless. He made a comment as we were leaving that not many young people come here and ask questions, or bring their children in here to learn. He thanked us for making him feel useful. Humbling lesson number two!

At the end of the tour he left Madelyn try on some different outfits--one of them was actual WWI jacket and I am pretty sure that the jacket and helmet weighed more than Maddy but she loved dressing up.

Civil War Medical Kit. I am thankful for the many medical advances we have made since then.

To top off the evening we enjoyed a American Classic Route 66 treat at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard--Yummy!!!

St. Louis Arch

2010-05-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

Posing in front of the arch along the Mississippi river park--it was so cold along the river!

We got to the Arch a little after nine and we didn't get a ticket time 12:40. So pass the time we saw an IMAX movie about Louis and Clark, visited an 1800's mercantile store for a snack and then the museum of the visitor center. All this was underground beneath the arch.

In the Frontier Museum waiting for our ticket time.

This the replica of the pod we rode in to the top of the arch. There were six people in our pod. It was more than a tight and hot squeeze and it took 4 1/2 minutes to ride to the top. We got to know our fellow passenger very closely. No wonder there were so many claustrophobia signs posted. This is not for the faint of heart.

We rode in pod five.

These were the hatch doors top the pods that took you up the observatory.

Maddie on top of the world--it was really hot up there!

Standing on the keystone of the arch at 63o feet.

Looking out to the Illinois side of the Mississippi River

Capital Building and down town St. Louis

This tiny and narrow staircase is what takes you to your pod to go back down.

Standing underneath the arch looking up

Anheuser-Busch Factory Tour in St. Louis

2010-04-23T16:06:00.000-07:00

Day one: St. Louis Missouri
We didn't even check in to the hotel yet, Michael drove us straight to the factory for a tour.

Our first stop on the tour was the Clydesdales--beautiful horses who had the most grandiose stables outfitted by Tiffany chandeliers and windows.

Daddy thinks he is in heaven.

The original brew building

The Brew House has five levels of Brew Kettles in an impressive building that has maintained its historical charm.

They even had their own school.

The factory complex has grown through the years, despite the prohibition era.

Bottling Line

Bottles being turned over and filled inside the wide round openings--look for the blur

It was VERY loud on the factory floor!

Graceland

2010-04-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

Memphis, Tennessee was one of our stops along our Spring Break Getaway. When in Memphis of course you have to visit Graceland and eat BBQ.

Graceland Mansion

Reception Room

Madelyn listened very intently to the Audio Guide

Music room in the basement

Pool table room

The racquetball court turned into a memorabilia room

The outfits Elvis was suppose to wear the night he died.

Presley family cemetery

Madelyn has left the building!!!!!!

Michael and his cars

We saw lots of older pictures of Elvis while touring the museum. So now every time Madelyn sees an older picture of a gentleman she thinks its Elvis. Yes we did see Elvis several places in Memphis--he even served us breakfast. Its a rumor, Elvis is actually alive.

My favorite--pink Cadillac

The Lisa Marie--Elvis's private 727 plane

After we left Graceland, Madelyn recapped her visit to my mom by saying, "We went to the King's house, but he wasn't home. I kept looking for the Queen and I couldn't find her and I saw lots of Poop." Yep that's right she spends the day in Graceland and all she can remember is seeing lots of Poop. The horse stables are on the back of the property and because it was too cold for the horses to be out, she was upset that she could see their poop, but not the actual horses.

The Memphis Queen took us on a river boat cruise on the Mississippi River. It was FREEZING cold along the river!!!!! Mudd Island is in the background, but was not open yet. It was in the movie The Firm.

On the boat docks

The Peabody Hotel has real ducks that live in their fountains. Everyday at 11 and 5 the ducks come down the elevator from their pent house suite for the breakfast/dinner and a swim in the lobby fountain. Don't you just love Madelyn's fake smile....

We ate la traditional Memphis BBQ lunch on Beale street at the City Cafe--yummy! I have to say that coleslaw on top of the BBQ sand which was pretty good.

Daughter Like Father

2010-04-06T17:02:00.000-07:00

Noticing the house was really quiet, I called for Madelyn and no answer. Usually never a good sign. I called her again and she responded with "I'm in here". I turn the corner to find sitting and reading a magazine on the potty. She was wasn't using the potty, she said " I am just reading like like daddy does". That is Michael's daughter!

Rainbow Theme Snacks

2010-04-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

Strawberry's, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Mandarin Oranges, Bananas, Honeydew, Blueberries and some clouds of marshmallows.

For the month of March, Madelyn's theme at School was All things Irish, including leprechauns that are found at the end of the rainbow. While they learned at school about weather, color prisms, and folklore, I wanted to use this teachable moment to remind Madelyn that all of God's creation are beautiful and have a purpose. Using Genesis 9:8-17 we learned that God keeps all of his promises.

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 "I now
establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with
every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the
wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature
on earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut
off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the
earth."
12 And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making
between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all
generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the
sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over
the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant
between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the
waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in
the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and
all living creatures of every kind on the earth."
17 So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all
life on the earth."

I found a fun recipe for Rainbow cupcakes that made a colorful impression for her school snack. You follow the directions for a white cake mix and then you measure out the batter into small bowls, add food coloring to the desired color. Then spoon a little bit of the colored batter into each cupcake pan. It was super easy, although it left more dishes to clean up, Madelyn had a blast squeezing the food coloring and mixing the batter and watched how it transformed color. Her favorite part was licking the bowl (what was left) and checking the mirror to see what color her tongue turned. We topped the cupcakes with white frosting--yummy!!

Snowcation Pictures

2010-03-29T17:48:00.001-07:00

Our Fashionable Snowman

My super dooper cool snow angel!!! I have mention how much I love snow!

This was in the morning with about 2-3 inches of snow, when the snow just coming and coming and coming. The weather man had only predicted one to two inches of snow and we ended up with a record 12 inches.

Maddy was so excited when she woke and realized that we had no school that morning because it was SNOWING!!!!

Catching snow flakes on her tongue

I know this picture is bit blurry, but it was taken a 11pm and it was crazy how light the night sky was. (Is that an oxymoron?) I know it has something do with reflection of the light off the snow, it was weird to go outside and it sorta be dark outside.

I was already dressed for work when they called a snow day, not one but two. While I was extremely grateful for a snow to help recoup after having Mono. I will not be as thrilled when we will have to make those two days up in June. But it was worth every snowflake.

A Kitty, A Duck and Snowman-- Fun with Cousins

2010-03-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

A Kitty, A Duck and Snowman- such cute cousins!

Ariana, Mackenzie, Hunter, Madelyn, Jazlyn & Jonathan

Jaz is too cool for words!

Madelyn is all smiles opening up her birthday presents

Nothing like a little Trampoline jumping to start off the morning.

Madelyn's Fourth Birthday Party

2010-02-14T04:36:00.000-08:00

Happy 4th Birthday Madelyn

Mackenzie

Madelyn and Grammie

Hunter

Ariana conquering the slide

Love the Look Ella

Allie

Toppling The Tower

Touchdown

Kaelin the bathing beauty

Grammie and Madelyn

Ella

Grammie, Cooper, Valerie and Madelyn

Madelyn and Kaelin

LaShea and Jazlyn

Kealin playing motorboat

Shane and Ella

Look KJ can FLY

Super Fly Madelyn Harris

Leila and Kevin

Little Miss Dare Devil Cara

Watch out below

Kaelin "Chill-laxing" on the stairs

Cara, Shane and Ella

Mom and Maddy

Josh and Cooper

Did I mention how much she loves going down the slide!!!!

K.J. "The Truth" Chadwick

Madelyn had planned since last year that she wanted a Tinkerbell Birthday Party!

My Birthday Girl is Four!!! Where has the time gone??

Blowing out her candles

Enjoying some yummy cake and Ice Cream

Zach

Birthday Bow

Emily and Paulina

Trying to blow up her up her bouncy balloon.

That's one huge Green Balloon Cooper

Madelyn pulled the string on the Pinata and out came all the candy.

Filling their candy bags

This year we celebrated Madelyn's 4th Birthday Party at the Emler Swim School in Plano. Maddy has been swimming with them this year and was very excited to have her friends there to swim with her at the party. She has been practicing every week her swimming skills to show off at the party and she had the best time swimming. Madelyn is a fish and is very comfortable in the water. Being a January baby, a swim party outdoors is not usually possible in Texas (I say usually, because one day is 85 and the next we have 12 inches of snow), so the indoor facilities of Emler proved to be a great hit for the little ones. It was a contained area, they provided the life guards and life jackets and all the entrainment. The biggest hits were the double water slides and toppling the tower. The kids had a amazing time and at the end of the two hours they were exhausted, and then got a sugar rush from some delicious cake and ice cream, enjoyed a Pinata, and then we sent them on their merry way. A Fabulous Party for a Fabulous Birthday Girl!

4th Celebration of Life

2010-01-31T15:32:00.000-08:00

After each time Madelyn walked around the "sun", Ms. Mary would stop and talk about her milestone accomplishments for that year...It was so precious!!

Madelyn waiting patiently, but I wanted to include this picture because of the photo Madelyn chose to bring to school. Behind her on the top self to the left is her special picture of Cooper and Madelyn dressed up in their Aggie attire. Everyone in the class brought in their special picture of their family and friends, and Madelyn really wanted to bring in this picture of her best friend.

She was so excited to have us there for Celebration of Life.

"The earth goes 'round the sun"

Madelyn's classmates sang happy birthday to her in sign language.

Enjoying her birthday snack with her friends.

One of the unique aspects of the Montessori experience is the Celebration of Life that remembers and celebrates a child's milestones from each year of their life (and it introduces an early astronomy concept of planet rotation). In Madelyn's classroom its a big deal to have mom and dad come in with yummy healthy snacks and and watch the celebration. We filled out an information sheet ahead of time that listed achievements of Madelyn's from birth until now. Michael and I had fun remembering when certain events occurred, and started to dwell on the fact the fact that our "baby girl" has grown so much right before our eyes. We love her so much and are very proud of everything she has accomplished and can not wait to see how and where the Lord will take her this year.

Isles Mujeres

2010-01-25T16:41:00.000-08:00

Isles Mujres in the background. The island was first used a fertility temple for the Mayans, then a pirate hideout and fishing village before Cancun developers built small hotels on the island.

The welcoming committee--The military patrolling the port of Isle Mujers

The Mexican Navy station because the island is the most eastern point of Mexico.

On the catamaran enjoying the beautiful view of the Caribbean.

Isla Mujeres, the Island of Women. Located just eight miles across the Bahia de Mujeres (Bay of Women) from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is only 5 miles long and half a mile wide with a downtown area of just four by six blocks.

The giant Mexican Flag stood in the middle of Zona del Hoteleria marking the Juarez Porta.

New Years Eve in Cancun

2010-01-23T07:50:00.001-08:00

Posing with the Spartan Cast

Madelyn had fun dressing up with her "Tiara" and necklaces. The people at our table and next to us gave her the gold bead necklaces for being too cute--man did she milk it!

Madelyn fell asleep at 11:30--She almost made it!

Partying at 12:00....12:05 we were headed back to our room.

We rang in the New Year at the Hotel's dinner, theatre, dancing party. They have an open air pavilion on the beach so it was a fun night and meet a lot of new people at the party. The Mexican tradition for New Year's Good Luck is to eat grapes. So we all left with Champagne and a bag of grapes.

Yucatan, Mexico

2010-01-23T07:12:00.001-08:00

Michael described it as the original Mayan Lazy boy

Outside the town of Vallaloid, Yucatan.

The military check point as you left the state of Quintina Roo into the state of Yucatan.

Cemeteries are above ground because of the extensive underground caverns in the area.

The Fiesta Restaurant in the town of Chichen Itza

Our dinner time Entertainment was good, especially at balancing items on the heads.

Maddy taking the stage

Chichen Itza: The Seventh Natural Wonder of the World

2010-01-22T16:39:00.000-08:00

The acoustics were amazing in front of the main pyramid. You could stand anywhere in front of the four sides clap and with in seconds a sharp echo of the clap bounced back for everyone around to hear.

This sport court was an early cross over of basketball, baseball and lacrosse. The Mayans actually used a baseball sized rubber ball and large wooden sticks to run the ball up and down the field and try to swat the rubber ball into the small stone hoops on the upper walls of the court. The only catch is the winner is beheaded as a sacrifice to the gods. Only the best was offered sacrifically to their gods.

You could stand at one of the court and in a normal voice talk and the person at the other end could hear you with no problem.

Why did you take a picture of the wall? To show you how advanced the civilization was in construction. The Mayans understood that placement of the size of stones determined echo patterns. Large stones on the bottom and smaller stones on top.

Madelyn was such a trooper in the heat! She really enjoyed Chichen Itza because she knew from watching Dora the Explorer that her mom work in the Pyramids as an archaeologist, so logic prevails that she would she Dora while visiting. She was sad to learn that Dora was out playing Boots in the Jungle.

Probably the funniest thing that Madelyn said on the trip was "Where are all the Mayan Indians today?" Explaining to her that they are the people who live and work here at Chichen Itza, she gave me a very puzzled look and then said "But these people don't have feathers on their heads." All we could do was laugh, because that is the only representation she knows of the Mayans.

Jaguar Temple

One of the two Cenotes that served as a water source for the Mayans.

Old City Ruins

The tour we took to Chichen Itza was about 2 and half hours from Cancun into the Yucatan Peninsula and was described as a spiritual experience. The meaning came true when we got off the van and realized that it was over a 100 degree 100 percent humidity, no breeze and it was a three hour hike. By the end of the tour, I really was saying "Please God help me make it to the end of the tour!" This natural wonder of the world was worth every minute in the sun and was beyond amazing, but after enjoying the 70 degree weather of Cancun it was a rude awaking of the heat that hit you in the face and kept at your heels the entire tour. I know that after living in Texas for hotter summers than this, that a day at Chichen Itza should have been a drop in the bucket, but at least here we have a week or two of semi hot days before the the blazing heat hits us.

Candid Cancun Pictures and Margaritaville

2010-01-21T15:09:00.001-08:00

In front of our hotel.

Morning Sunrise over the Caribbean Sea

Doing the Chicken Dance

Our little Parrot Head...she flew south for the winter

Dancing with Daddy

Our first night in Cancun, like all good American tourist we were enticed by the flashing lights and music of Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. The people they were having a good time and most importantly they were kid friendly. Great food and entertainment comes at a cost and they were very proud of their service. But hey we have some funny memories from that night.

Relaxing on the beaches of Cancun, Mexico

2010-01-19T15:33:00.000-08:00

The message is written in the sand

View from the pool deck of the hotel

The Royal Sunset Hotel

This picture does not justify the beautiful blue hues of the ocean that just went on for ever.

For New Years we took Madelyn on her first international flight to Cancun, Mexico. She was very excited because if you ever watch Dora the Explorer like we do, then you would know that Dora's mom works in the pyramids as archaeologist in Mexico. So she fully expected to see Dora in Mexico. Luckily, Madelyn loved playing on the beaches and had a blast jumping the waves of the beautiful blue Caribbean sea. There just wasn't enough time to do and see everything, so we would like to go back sometime.

Snow Princess

2010-01-18T07:24:00.000-08:00

Our Snow Princess

A White Christmas in Abilene

2010-01-18T07:13:00.000-08:00

Madelyn is very proud of her first snow Angel

Mrs. Clause in training

Watch out Uncle Mark--I have a good aim!

Madelyn was so funny she wanted to walk in the snow to hear it "Shrunch"

Look at that Handsome Daddy!

Texas Snow

2010-01-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

Michael's mom house in Abilene.

Snow is such a rarity for us Texas, that I had to take pictures of this joyous event. The drive from San Antonio to Abilene was so serene as the landscape was transformed by a white blanket. I was giddy the whole trip--just seeing the flakes fall from the sky.

Christmas in San Antonio

2010-01-18T06:48:00.000-08:00

Cheese'n with Grampa K

At Grandma Wiatt's with Carl and Laura

"Look MORE Princess Stuff"

Fiesta Texas- Holiday in the Park

2010-01-18T06:22:00.000-08:00

First time to ride the Tea Cups--but she told Grammie "OK I'll ride but don't let it turn too much, I don't want to get dizzy".

Me and my sister Vanessa or Madelyn calls her "Nessa"

On the Ferris Wheel

We spent a lot of time sledding down Frosty's hill--I had a blast!

Grammie and her girls

This year she actually liked Frosty

Look at those crazy drivers on the road!

Madelyn really wanted to drive a pink car and was very excited when it pulled around, but devastated that they would not let her "drive" car because she was an inch too short. Next year Madelyn we will turn you loose on the road.

I now the picture is not a fair representation of her fondness for this kid coaster, but she rode on it four times in a row.

Flying High!

Sea World--A New Christmas Tradition

2010-01-17T06:50:00.000-08:00

Feeding the dolphins is Madelyn's favorite part of Sea World

I love her big BLUE eyes

Shamu Show

Aunt Nessa and Maddie Mo hanging out with Shamu

Daddy was terrified of the Log Ride--Madelyn giggled the whole time!

How come I am the only one that got wet on the ride?

Grammie and Madelyn on the Shamu roller coaster

Aunt Nessa chasing Madelyn down the slide

Madelyn with Santa

Hard to tell but we are standing in front of the shark aquarium

It has now become a new Christmas Tradition to go to Sea World during our Christmas break while visiting my mom. I think its ten times better than going in the Summer time when its a hundred plus degrees, jammed packed crowds and long waits. Smaller crowds make everything more pleasurable about Sea World. This year Madelyn was tall enough to ride to the kid rides and even the log ride as a family. It was a blast to watch her excitement and apprehension on the rides, only to get off the ride and want to go again. Watching her grow up just bring pleasure to my heart.

McKinney Christmas

2010-01-17T06:32:00.001-08:00

Looking for more presents--there might be one more back there.

I got my great fashion sense from my daddy

Cool new serving dishes--watch out Vanna White, my morning hair do can only be professionally accomplished!

Look what Santa brought me!

"Its not just a pink Leapster, it a princess Leapster"

Because we had to do the Texas Tour for Christmas this year (McKinney to San Antonio to Abilene back to McKinney and then finally to Cancun, Mexico) Santa Clause came a few days early to Mckinney because he wanted to be sure and find Madelyn before she ventured all over the state. We had a funny goofy morning open presents

Madelyn's Dance Recital

2010-01-17T05:59:00.000-08:00

Jump, Joy and Jive

Ta-Da on the balance beam

Swing on the bars

Madelyn had her second dance recital and gymnastic presentation. Adorable as ever, I am very proud of our little ballerina. It is neat to watch with each semester, how the girls learn and continue to grow with their coordination, keep the beat with the music, and increase their physical achievements on the different apparatuses. Can't wait to see her shake her "booty"again this semester.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-19T06:19:00.001-08:00

Grammie's Sweet Delight

2009-12-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Brushing the paint on to make her foot print.

Madelyn picked out every color for the plate.

Maybe she is a budding artist

She was very determined to paint the plate by herself.

She was so proud of her work that I had to keep reminding her that she could not tell Grammie what the surprise was.

Madelyn and I went to Art n' Soul in Plano to paint for Grammie a plate that had Madelyn's foot print on it. There were so many choices and designs, but Maddie made the final decision--Ice Cream Sundae! (But of course). We named the plate, "Grammie's sweet delight" and then owner add Madelyn's name and age to the plate. The plate came out so cute, but I forgot to get a picture of the finished product.--But I will update soon with a completed photo story.

Alligator Farm

2009-12-19T04:17:00.000-08:00

Michael's mid-day snack

This leathery friend is three years old. It was amazing how strong he was. Slippery little suck!

Madelyn wanted to hold him, but there was no way she was going to avert eyes from the little gator to look at the Camera.

April, Aubrey, Cayden and Matt

I think Cayden would have taken him home if April would have let him.

On the other side of the Alligator lake is a Reindeer enclosure, I wonder if this is considered teasing.

The "S" shape movement they make in the water is very gracefully, so wonder they can sneak up on their prey.

I would not want to stumble across this guy along the shore.

"Big Daddy"

Seriously, they looked like statues until you see them making a tiny movement.

Cayden is a ladies man. They were so cute holding hands and walking around.

Ms. Aubrey taking in the view. Such beautiful eyes!

It was amusing to see them piled up on each other, and some of the alligators were perched so far over the edge, I kept watching for the bottom guys to move and the rest of the alligators fall into the water.

Sun bathing pile.

You would think that if you were nice and feed this obnoxious white Llama, that he would at least not be mean and spit on you. Oh no! I got nailed when he realized that I did not have any food left in my cup. Mean old Thang!

Save the Drama for your Llama

This little Joey was so soft.

Go ROO's

Feeding the Kangaroos

Madelyn wanted to see the Ostrich, but not be any where near him.

Pygmy goat. This adorable dwarf came up to Madelyn's waist. She wanted to feed this one, because she said it was her size.

Exhausted after a long day, they watched a movie together.

The two buddies played so well together.

Posing in front of the fountains at the Boardwalk in Bossier City.

April fishing out for the second time, Cayden's toy.

The Red River view from the Bossier City side . The River access had been closed due to flooding.

We spent the weekend in Shreveport Louisiana visiting some great college friends of mine--Matt and April. Ten years ago we swam together at Austin College and now look at us married with children. Oh my gosh we are getting old, but having fun in the process. We took the kids to the Gator and Friends Farm in Greenwood, just inside the LA border. Nestled in the Piny Woods, we all had fun looking at the Alligators and petting some furry friends.

Little Gym Spooktacular

2009-12-16T17:38:00.000-08:00

Ms. Kiristen --Thing 2 and Thing .5 and Madelyn

The Grinch aka--Mr. Forest

Mr. Jaime and Madelyn doing the donut roll.

Mastering the Monster Mountain

Madelyn and Ms. Michelle

The green flash is really a swing Tinkerbell fairy

Tinkerbell is very focused as she traverses the balance beam

Mr. Jaime staring as the Cat in the Hat

A Sunny Pumpkin Patch

2009-12-16T16:31:00.000-08:00

Our second attempt at a Pumpkin Patch proved to be a beautiful sunny day. The afternoon was one of the only sunny days, we have had in a while. Madelyn enjoyed running around outside, and took great pains in selecting the perfect pumpkin to take home and decorate. The sun was shinning so bright, that I kept asking Madelyn to smile and look at the camera. Frustrated that she kept looking away, Madelyn responded that if I made her look up at me, "that the sunshine would make her go blind and that she would be sad because I would not be able to see her anymore"... Sigh at least I got some cute pictures.

A Howl'n Fun Halloween

2009-12-12T16:23:00.000-08:00

Madelyn practicing her tinkering skills before transforming into Tikerbell for Halloween.

Madelyn loves the kids workshop at the Home Depot.

Tinkerbell's mom supervising the activities.

Enjoying the Prestonwood Fall Festival. Each year Prestonwood hosts the Family Fun Fall Festival and this year proved to be even more fun Madelyn. We are very grateful that we have a church that provides a safe and fun outlet for families on Halloween.

Mmmm, lots of Candy !

Even Tinkerbell loves to travel by train.

Didn't know that Tinkerbell is also a skilled Angler!

searching for hidden treasure

Tink and Big Tink

Its takes a lot to roll the heavy boccie ball.

The speed of Tinkerbell was no match for the grocery cart game.

Shop till you drop!

Spreading happy fairy smiles everwhere she goes.

Tinkerbell and Grammie

Tinkerbell putting her Tinkering skills to good use to catch more ducks!

Ariel, Belle, and Tinkerbell--A.K.A--Ella, Cara and Madelyn are just such cute friends!

Tinkerbell and the "Allie Cat"

I wish our Tinkerbell could fly

2009-12-09T15:41:00.001-08:00

You can see Madelyn's "pretty" bruised smile.

Madelyn was her favorite character, Tinkerbell this year for Halloween. But we both wish she could fly and avert hurting herself. The Friday before Halloween, I got the dreaded school phone call, no parent ever wants to get. It just happened to be an early release day for my high school kids. Not ten minutes after all my students left, did Madelyn's school call. It was one of those moments of "oh no, this can't be good" and it wasn't. Maddie was walking across the room and in good Tosi fashion tripped and knocked over a little wooden chair. The chair is solid wood and is rounded out on every corner, except where the seat meets the back of the chair--the only straight edge on the chair. When Madelyn fell she landed on the edge and hit her upper gum line and split it open and cut her frenulem. The school said they could not stop the bleeding and I had to come pick her up. Poor baby I could hear her in the background. Needless to say, I made it to her school in record time to find my baby girl being held with a bloody towel and ice to her mouth. I wanted to cry harder than her. I took her over to the emergency room, where the doctor took one look and said that a pediatric trauma dentist would have to see her. We repacked her gum line and off we went to the dentist who was staying open late for us. The initial concern was to stop the bleeding by using something like
Dermabond for the gum line to help it clot. Because of the amount of swelling, the next concern was x-rays of the jawline to make sure she didn't have a fracture. What a praise that she had more bruising than anything else.

Unfortunately she had enough damage to her front right tooth, that she has killed the nerves and probably will have to have the tooth pulled. We followed up with the dentist and he wants to wait till March to make that call.

But Madelyn is a trooper and has made a full recovery and could not wait to don her Tinkerbell costume for the Little Gym Spooktacular.

The Heard Museum....and DINOSAURS!!!

2009-12-03T17:18:00.000-08:00

We went out to the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney to see the Dinosaurs Alive exhibit. We missed the exhibit the last time it was here but luckily they brought it back due to demand. Michael and Madelyn, in their Aggie shirts, enjoyed spending an afternoon strolling the nature trails with Mommy/Valerie and Judy/Momma/Ninny. And, since we enjoyed the afternoon so much, we got a family membership which will let us go back out for more exploring outside or enjoying the exhibits inside.

Michael and Madelyn brave the ferocious and terrifying T. Rex to get that special shot showing their Aggie Spirit.

Showing off the Aggie Spirit that lives strong inside her by wearing her A&M jersey, Madelyn has her walking stick in hand and is ready to tackle the nature trails of the Heard Museum. She is a delight, curious, and loves exploring and learning. She is going to enjoy going back to explore the trails and look for new and exciting things.

Valerie and Madelyn take a break from the danger of tracking dinosaurs to strike a pose, ignoring the danger of the large reptile right behind them. They show no fear and are able to produce beautiful smiles, an admirable trait for even the most skilled dino trackers. But, even with this seemingly defiance of any internal fear, I must confess that as Madelyn was walking up the trail to this, the first dinosaur we came too, she did stop in her tracks as she got the first glimpse of the lifesize dinosaur move and heard the roar it generates. She hesitated only a second and was excited to see what was just ahead.

The T. Rex. One of the most feared and dreaded of the meat-eaters. Only once would unsuspecting dinosaurs make fun of their funny, deformed-looking front legs, because the powerful jaw and sharp teeth would end their laughter so soon after it started. This T. Rex, what photographed just as it came out of the woods, no doubt having just left a wildlife sanctuary where the animals couldn't be found in their cages, with signs saying they "we cold and had gone to stay elsewhere until the weather warmed up"... yeah, the warmth of a T. Rex belly.

Without regard for her own life, and thinking only of saving her favorite child (she told him he was the favorite), Judy prepares to battle the ferocious beast with her Sam Moon special leather bag. As she prepares to deliver a David and Goliath like blow, she taunts the advancing killer, saying "Momma needs a new bag and matching shoes, no one and, especially, no over-grown Geico salesman is gonna hurt my precious and most favorite baby of all... prepare to die and join you ancestors in the next barrel of oil"

Madelyn, showing no fear, comes to aid Ninny by holding her steady as she prepares to deliver the death blow to the invading dinosaur, helping to ensure the safety of Magic Daddy. With the help of Almighty God, Madelyn, and the Sam Moon special, Judy/Momma/Ninny was able to save her favorite child and slay the evil beast.

As Madelyn looks on, admiring the bravery of her wonderful and amazing momma, Valerie exhibits the control she has over this man-eating beast. Even ferocious beasts stop when in the presence of beauty.

Kangaroos, the mascot of Valerie's beloved Austin College. They, too, have a home at the Heard Museum, providing Valerie the opportunity to visit the sacred creations of God and to fondly reflect on an important part of her life. They aren't Aggies, but they can be pretty cool and allow for a "hopping" good time.

The Heard has a butterfly habitat on the grounds and Michael captured some really great pictures of some of the butterflies. He is turning out to be pretty good with the camera and taking some beautiful pictures.

The lush fields of the Heard Museum is just another one of God's majesty that Michael was able to capture. The scenery and the photo may be breathtaking, but to those with allergies, this lovely field of ragweed is best loved from a distance....or through a striking picture.

Digging for Dinosaurs

Pumpkin Patch

2009-11-24T10:22:00.000-08:00

All smiles in the petting zoo.

They don't call it the Big Organge Pumpkin Patch for nothing.

Going on a hay ride.

Matthew sees the farmer in the haystacks.

This is a Madelyn's new "cute pose"

Learning how to rope.

I'm going to rope me some cute husband!

Matthew and Madelyn on the train giving Michael "Gig'Em"

The evening sun did not make picture taking any easier for Madelyn. But she is still my "little pumpkin."

The Big Orange Pumpkin patch in Celina, TX proved this year to be more of mud patch than pumpkin. We tried twice unsuccessfully before this visit, but each time we were rained out or it was too muddy to walk around. But as always the pumpkin patch is fun and provided us with a ton cute pictures. Anne Marie and Matthew also join us again this year as we feed the animals, rode on the hay ride, picked out our perfect pumpkin, and even did some Rope'n in the corral.

West Texas Fair and Rodeo

2009-11-21T06:45:00.000-08:00

These goats were ready to eat anything...include Maddie as a snack.

Look at the cute "kids"

Madelyn did not enjoy the forced torture of going down the slide. To her credit, it was pretty fast.

We went to Abilene to visit Michael's family and celebrate birthdays. While we were there the whole family went for a visit to the fair and rodeo. It's the same fair that Michael grew up going to each year; and he is pretty sure that the rides we rode were the same original rides. All day long to talked and salivated about getting Texas A&M fries. What the heck is that I asked? The Ag school has a contract that they are the only vendors of french fries at the fair, as fundraiser for the school. I must say that at least they lived up to all of Michael's hype. Madelyn had a good time at the petting zoo, but I was miserable. With 500 feet of these darn animals I could not stop sneezing and spent the rest of the night with a Kleenex in hand. Small sacrifice for the amusement of your kid.

Mackenzie, Jonathan and Madelyn riding a ladybug.

Madelyn's first roller coaster ride. If you can see her hunched besides me. She really did enjoy about 90% of the ride and even put hands up on the first hill. But she was not very keen on the hairpin turn.

I wish I could get the picture bigger, but this Madelyn and Jonathan crusin together.

Bouncing good time with Grammie

2009-11-21T06:39:00.001-08:00

Dear Grammie,
Thank you for always taking the time to play and do fun stuff with me. You are the best Grammie ever!
-Love Madelyn

Kid workshops

2009-11-18T15:23:00.000-08:00

Our carpenter in training.

Watch your fingers Daddy

I have a hammer and I know how to use it.

AHHHHHH!

Peek-a-booo I see Madelyn

Grammie and Madelyn showing off her finished creation.

We have become big fans of the Saturday Kids workshop at Home Depot. Its fun to watch Madelyn and other kids attempt to create their masterpiece, while their dad's try to supervise without taking over. Madelyn loves her "kid size" apron and is very proud of her merit pins she has earned. And not to mention, the girl has a mean and swift hammer swing, and is very "Hammer Happy." Ahh free family together.

My Little Fish

2009-11-17T17:45:00.001-08:00

Madelyn took quite an interest in swimming this summer, that I didn't want her momentum to slow. So I signed Maddie up for once a week swim lessons at the Emler Swim school. I taught mom and me swim classes for years and have truly enjoyed teaching Madelyn the basics. But we have finally reached a point where she needed someone other than mom to teach her. Maddie was thrilled to swim there, but I was a little apprehensive since I wasn't sure this was going to be worth our money. But boy was I wrong. Madelyn is loving this and doing AMAZING! Before we started she could swim about five feet by herself. Now she can swim about fifteen feet, float on her back, and can safely climb out of the pool on her own. And if you ask Madelyn what she is most proud of achieving, she would quickly tell you the BIG water slide. As a reward at the end of class they can go down the water slide, and she loves it!

I wish I had better pictures of her actually swimming, but right now those are on my phone camera and I still need to transfer them. But don't worry this proud momma will eventually get those posted. Plus its hard to seek on the deck to get pictures without interrupting the lesson.

Thyroid Problems

2009-11-17T16:14:00.000-08:00

I went to the doctor over the summer to have my regular scheduled blood work done. The results were puzzling for the doctor, who then sent me to have a sonogram on my thyroid. The sonogram revealed that I had two nodules on the ride side of the thyroid, the first about 2cm and the other 3.5 cm. That prompted a visit to an ENT surgeon, who ordered a biopsy of both tumors. I have to say that was probably one of the scariest and unnerving procedure I have endured. My favorite line from the doctor was, "Don't move I don't want to pierce your trachea". That was in September and my thyroid is still swollen at the biopsy site. I have since then meet my new Endocrinologist who has done all sorts of blood work, CT and sonograms and has given me a diagnose of Hoshimoto Thyroiditis. Meaning that my body is attacking my thyroid and as a result these two tumors have manifested. I swear I am not making up the name. When I told my mom the diagnoses, she asked me if I had eaten too much sushi.

The ENT wants to remove the right side of the thyroid, because the largest of the nodules is growing too close to my voice box, but before they operate they want to see if hormone therapy can skrink the nodule. I have my follow up appointment next week, so we will see what the Endocrinologist will say. But I do want to thank those wonderful friends who have been praying and constantly checking up on my status. Your prayers are certainly appreciated and felt!

Picture Hodge Podge

2009-11-16T14:22:00.000-08:00

"Gig Em"

I saw my two favorite professors from Austin College, Victoria and Light Cummins for lunch at Spoons in downtown McKinney. I am not sure where Madelyn will go to college, but my only hope for her is is that she will have wonderful professors like I did, who still make an effort to keep in contact with former students.

Maddie enjoying playing with a few more caserones in the backyard.

Jen, my college roommate and most wonderful and bestest friend took me on an adventure for my birthday to a Murder Mystery dinner theatre in Fair Park. It was hoot! As everyone there has a part in the production-whether you knew or not. It was so much fun trying to figure out "who dunnit".

Madelyn and Kaelin enjoy a fun afternoon together at Hawaiian Falls and had a blast.

"I am a true Princesss"

2009-10-17T16:06:00.001-07:00

My True Little Princess!

Singing, "I am a true Princess"

The girls learned a dance and the sign language to the song.

One of the crafts during the week was making an apron that read "Princess Madelyn" with her hand prints and lots of glitter, boas and ribbons. So very precious!

Making her grand entrance.

Practicing for the Royal Performance

Princess Madelyn

Brinley, Madelyn and Cara three adorable princess friends.

Practicing her new prayer..."Here's my crown I lay it down and before the king my Lord."

Madelyn's Holy unto the Lord Cowgirl Hat

Each Day had a craft that enhanced and went along with the Bible Point

Nickie and Madelyn after her Royal Performance

Me and my Princess

For the past several years, Prestonwood has hosted the Royal Princess Camp--What it means to be the daughter of the KING. Its an absolutely adorable week for the girls as they paint their nails, wear tiaras, dance, sing, watch princess skits, learn princess manners, and make cute, cute crafts. Most importantly, they learn a daily Bible verse that helps them learn that they are a precious gift from God and they a daughter of the KING acts and helps others. This was Madelyn third time to attending the camp, the really the first year she got to be in the room by herself. I volunteered the week in the crazy craft room and got to sneak peaks all day long how wonderful my princess was doing. It's bittersweet to know that your daughter is having a blast and being independent but doesn't always need you by her side. We now listen everyday to the True Princess CD and Madelyn knows every word and motion.Its great CD, but a little variety would be nice. She keeps talking about when she gets to go back to Princess Camp. It's hard to explain to a three year old that she has wait until the summertime to go back. Ahh a lesson in patience!

The Hot Hot Hot Forth Worth Zoo

2009-10-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

Madelyn and Kaden riding together on the train

Kaden and April

My pinkened Maddie riding on the bench of the carousel because "all the other animals are too scary."

I think we probably picked the hottest day of the summer to go to the Forth Worth Zoo with my good friends from college April, Matt and their two kiddos Kaden and Aubrey. By 11 am that morning it had already reached 113. It was so hot that most of the animals were not even in their outdoor exhibits. Needless to say we took frequent cooling off breaks, and Madelyn didn't complain when I said she could have ice cream for her lunch. Madelyn and Kaden thoroughly enjoyed the train and carousel rides, and pretending to be the few animals we saw that day.

Monticello

2009-10-11T20:18:00.000-07:00

Home of Thomas Jefferson in Charlottseville, Virginia
Look familiar its on the back of the nickel.

My Jeffersonian beauty

Me and Madelyn enjoying our annual photo on the lawn.

On the back steps of the house

Waiting in line for the house tour. I am so proud of Madelyn, she did fabulous during the tour and was actually able to point and identify a few major artifacts during the tour. It melts my heart that she will share the same love for history, as I do....like she has any choice with a history teacher for a mom.

Learning the fine art of writing with a Quill pen and an ink well.

It was messy but fun, but the girls learned something new.

Miss Independent wanted to do all by herself

Arianna and Madelyn hanging around a 300 year oak tree

Arianna, Gabriella and Maddie just relaxing in the shade

Enjoying the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Me and Mr. Jefferson

For the past eight years we have had our pictures taken on the back steps of the Monticello. I have myself from the single years, Michael and I when we were engaged, married and then Madelyn when she was only a month old. So every since then I have taken Madelyn's picture when we go to visit my dad. This year Michael came with us for a few days, but had to get back for school. So I took all the girls myself to Monticello and had an amazing time. The TJ foundation open a new and beautiful visitor's center with a great cafe. To enhance the tour for the young historians, a children's tour of the home was also added, and offers more hands on opportunities for the kids--highly recommended. I don't get to see the girls very often, so spending the day with my little sisters was important, fun and memorable. Not to mention we were in my own personal utopia and I was able to share the experience with Madelyn, who I hope one day will understand that Jefferson was responsible for helping to create many of the civil liberties that we Americans enjoy today.

Richmond's Children's Museum

2009-10-11T19:14:00.001-07:00

Digging for Dinosaurs

Madelyn enjoyed making a splash at the water works

Gabriella and Madelyn

Gina teaching Madelyn how to milk a cow

Two monkey's just hanging around

Check out these Future Farmers of America

Gina was a super duper checker outer

Enjoying her view while driving the Ambulance

Mechanical Inclinations must come from her daddy

Madelyn telling us a mooooving story

My little ham stole the show! Can you tell how well she dressed for the part!

Arianna, Madelyn, Gabriella and Gina taking a ride on a dinosaur

Such cute little chick-a-dies

What to do on a rainy afternoon? While the Richmond's Children's Museum proved to provide hours of fun and make believe for the girls. Madelyn loved the farm, the climbing tree top adventures, the shopping market and the water works. I think the best part for Madelyn was having built in playmates with all her aunts there to play with her.

Horse Back Riding on Graves Mountain

2009-10-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know I am a dork, but you should have seen the full get up. I had on firework/sparkler headbands, American flag necklace and cool Star and Stripes socks--- I was being patriotic! But I also knew that I didn't to scare the horse, so left most of my get up in the car, except the groovy sun glasses. This was the first time in fifteen years I had gone horse back riding and was so excited and scared at the same time. Excited when the land was flat, but as the name implies--Graves Mountain-- we took some steep trail paths. And according to Sir Issac Newton what goes up, must come down. And down we did! There were a few points were I wanted to close my eyes, but thankful that my horse did not. But an hour into the ride, with a numb butt and sore thighs, I was having a blast and wanted to keep going, but I also wanted to get back to Madelyn and Michael. I can't wait till she is old enough for some active equine adventures.

Daneen's horse was a bit to spirited for me--she liked to take off in trot-a lot!

Gina rode a horse that stopped to eat EVERY weed we past.

Me and Big Brown Mouse-- she was a good horse!

The Three City Slickers--ahhh I, mean the Three Amigo's

Madelyn, Gina and me-- I see the resemblance, but I think that Gina and Vanessa look much more alike.

My sweet baby girl was tuckered out from the long hike.

Madelyn really wanted to swim in the river, but her change of clothes were at the top of the mountain.

Madelyn's first funnel cake--apparently she really like it!

Gabriella, Madelyn, myself and Michael appreciating the beautiful view of the river.

Graves Mountain, Virginia

2009-10-04T16:55:00.000-07:00

Madelyn and Arianna enjoying the view from the main lodge porch.

Nonno, Arianna and Madelyn starting their hike

Wild Raspberries were a delicious treat along the path.

I just love how Madelyn's walking stick is bigger than her.

A beautiful view from the top of Graves Mountain.

Arianna, Gabriella and Madelyn

That's one big rock! I sure hope that Michael, Madelyn and Arianna can keep Gabriella's rock from rolling down the hill.

Madelyn getting some sweet loving from her aunt Gina.

Nonno, Gina, Madelyn making a wish from the bridge.

I am pretty sure that "Dorkness" must run in the family. But hey, at least we got spirit!

Enjoying some sparklingly good sparkler fun!

For Fourth of July, my took the entire family up to Graves Mountain, Virginia for the day. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, every angel is a spectacular view. The resort town reminds me of the place from Dirty Dancing--cabins sprawled through out the woods and plenty of activities of the family to partake. Michael and Madelyn went hiking up the trails with my dad, Arrianna and Gabriella; while I went horse back riding with Daneen and Gina--just wait for those pictures. We relaxed by the river and watched some crazy people do tricycle races down the side of the mountain, before going to clean up for dinner and fire works. It was so peaceful and green there, that I spent a good time of the afternoon trying to convince Michael that we didn't want to leave this serene beauty for the burning Texas heat.

One, Little Two, Litttle Three Litttle "Tosi"es

2009-09-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

Madelyn and her Bis Nonna (Great Grandma)

Four Generations of Tosis'

The Tosi Clan Left to right

Front row: Gina, Arianna, Gabriella, Nonna Trudy, Valerie, Madelyn, Daneen

Top Row: Gino, Amadio, Nick, Vince, and uncle Gino's Russian friends.

Mount Vernon

2009-09-12T12:18:00.000-07:00

The girls hanging out with G.W himself

The front of Mount Vernon. I wish I could have had an unobstructed view but they were setting up for a naturalization ceremony that took place on the Fourth of July.

Gina, Gabriella, and Madelyn in the Pleasure Garden.

The Fleur-de-lies shrubs show the French influence the Custis family had on the area.

Slave Quarters

The view of the Potomac River from the Back of the house.

We were loving the cooler Virginia weather!

We are in the circle drive in front of the main house.

The separate main house kitchen.

Washington/Custis Family Tomb. Its actually Washington's second tomb, his body was moved from the decaying cellar like tomb on the grounds and moved to a more scenic and grandiose tomb where his son lays in rest next to him.

Most people assume that George Washington was a rich and famous General. Although he was a brilliant military leader, he was broke when he married Martha Custis Washington, who happened to be the richest family in the colonies at the time. It was the Custis family who owned Mount Vernon and maintained its up keep.

I just love taking Madelyn to as many historical sites as we can visit. It maybe the history nerd in me but we had a blast taking my sisters out for a fun outing, although there was a three hour wait for the house tour, we all had fun strolling around the beautiful grounds enjoying some cooler weather.

Angela's Wedding

2009-09-09T15:40:00.001-07:00

Madelyn had so much fun being the "Flower girl"--well that's what she called herself. Thanks Christina for indulging her fantasy.

Waiting for the wedding ceremony to begin at the Botanical Gardens in Fairfax Virginia.

Angela and Uncle Gino

Mr. & Mrs. Wes Morrison

Michael show off his artistic skills.

Tosi Family

Uncle Gino and myself

All of the Tosi in once place!

My cousins- Angela and Christina

Checking out the Koi pond, she wanted to "swim with the fishes"

Uncle Gino dancing with all the Madelyn, Gabriella, and Arianna.

Daddy Daughter Dance

Uncle Nick and Madelyn boogie'n down on the dance floor

Look at that handsome little brother of mine!

After two days of traveling and enduring the plot from Trains, Planes, Automobiles, we flew into Virgina just in time to change and make it to the wedding of my cousin Angela Tosi to Wes Morrison at the Botanical Gardens in Fairfax Virgina. Beautiful as you can see from the pictures. It was was so excited to see my cousins, Angela and Christina! The last time I saw either one of them was right after Madelyn was born. And this was the first time that my Uncle Gino or Aunt Greta had ever meet Madelyn. It was so much visiting with them and show off my precious pride and joy. But the dance floor proved to provide the most entertainment as Madelyn hardly ever wanted to leave the floor except to go look for the fish. She loves to dance and had fun playing with my sisters as well.

Best Wishes, Angela and Wes!

Stranded in Atlanta

2009-09-08T16:20:00.000-07:00

Downtown Atlanta

The Jazz Festival "Winedown Wednesdays" in Centennial Park

In the CNN Plaza

We never had any intentions of spending a few days in Atlanta Georgia, but Delta Airlines had a different itinerary in mind. Michael, myself, and Madelyn were en route to Washington D.C and Virginia for my cousin's Angela's wedding. We happily left Dallas with our boarding passes ready or our lay over in Atlanta. It was not until we arrived in Atlanta did Delta decide to cancel the flight due to a lack of passengers to Charlottesville, VA. They automatically rebooked us for two days later, putting all of us on three different flights. Yeah, like that's going work for a three year old, yet alone making it to the wedding the next day. It took four hours in line with the customer care representative just to get us rebooked for the next morning. Oh did I mention that they were not going to provide a hotel room. By this point I was anything but polite and much more in the pissy mood. I do have to say its funny now that Michael, kept telling me to "Get, EM", as he stood behind me as I negotiated with the service agents! Finally after waiting another hour and demanding to speak to the manager did we get a crummy hotel room and meal vouchers.....and now the kicker...They LOST OF OUR LUGGAGE! So were stranded in Atlanta with no luggage for two days in a crummy smelly hotel room with a cranky sleep deprived three year old. So what else do you do with nothing to do......sight see! After pouting and realizing all the screaming and yelling was not going to get me there that evening, but it did make me feel better, I decide that it was better to make lemonade with the lemons that Delta delt us.

I wish that we had gotten out to see more earlier in the day, since many sights like the Cola-Cola Museum close at 5pm. We took the cheap sight seeing tour the MARTA (aka, the subway) into downtown and walked around and saw many of the downtown attractions like the Underground and the CNN towers & museum and even enjoyed a Jazz Festival happening in Centennial Park.

Luckily I packed extra clothes for Madelyn in my carry on, so she was just fine with this new hotel adventure. To ease our inconvenience's, Delta gave us a toiletry bag and a size medium tee-shirt to change into--yeah like that did any good for us. We finally made it into Charlottesville the next morning and I was ready to blow a gasket when our bags weren't there. Almost in tears I go up the baggage claim counter to file a missing bag report, when the nice guy says oh wait, I have your bags here, they flew them specially last night. Relived, but almost even more upset, because it they can fly our luggage the night before, why could they fly us with our bags.

Morale of the story: Avoid Delta Airlines!!!!

PS. Our return flight was delayed three hours because they forgot to schedule a pilot...arg!

Best Buddies, Beach Pool and a Bouncing Good Time

2009-08-30T12:36:00.000-07:00

Kaelyn and Madelyn

Modeling her new swimsuit

Its, a yellow blur--Nope, its Just Madelyn bouncing down the slide.

To help us celebrate the opening of the Beach pool for the summer reason, Kaelyn and Amy spent the day lounging, splashing and picnicking at the Beach pool. The girls as always had a blast together, but I was never able to get a picture of Madelyn looking at the camera--arg! But she was adorable in new swimsuit. And to top off the weekend, we help Zack celebrate his birthday at Pump It Up. Madelyn now loves the Giant slide and spent the entire time climbing up and zipping down the slide.

Sea World San Diego

2009-08-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

Sea World San Diego

Look for the jumping dolphin just above the yellow line

Some very talented performers

"Hey Mr. Seal are you Hungry?" "Bark if you are hungry"

Striking resemblance to anyone you know?

Madelyn-"Yewwww that fish smells" Me- "Madelyn make sure that you wipe your hands on Grammie's shirt."

Hanging out the Sea Lions feeding tank.

Hanging out at the Clyde and Seymour Show--There was a cold wind at the top of the stadium, did I mentioned it was also misting. I am so glad that I packed a jacket for Madelyn. In the middle of June it was cold. I love the weather in San Diego.

"Whoa look at all the dolphins"

Madelyn trying to imitated the Sea Otter behind her

The only picture of Shamu that I had that was not blurry--either way Shamu was the highlight of the day!

Madelyn and Grammie

On the Sky ride over San Diego Bay--its was very cold up there!

Madelyn and Aunt Vanessa choose the pink flying Elmo to fly on.

Our view of San Diego Bay for the Sky Tower

San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park

2009-08-17T17:01:00.000-07:00

Madelyn enjoying the view from a double deck tour bus

Polar exhibit

Just one of the many birds that roam the Zoo.

Cleaning up in the petting zoo.

Look at that adorable butterfly

Getty up Mr. Hippo

Madelyn and Grammie bugg'n each other

I think I can see Madelyn

Baby Jaguar... Madelyn's only reason for coming to the Zoo.

In the Elephant Odyssey.

She loved the view from the Sky Ride

View of Balboa Park from the Sky Ride. The dome shape building is the Museum of Man.

Riding the train with Mama Jaguar in Balboa Park.

Riding an historic 1906 carousel.

Floating like a butterfly.

For our third day in San Diego we spent the day at the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park. The morning started off rather warm and sunny, but before lunch the Marine Layer fog started to roll in the mystery fog from Scoby Do, which created a rather enjoyable day, breezy yet still warm. The Zoo is HUGE with over 30, 000 species of animals. There is no way to see everything on one day. And I did I mention the monstrous hills--the steep up and down. To solve this problem we opted for the double deck tour bus and loved the tour and the scenery. The petting zoo portion was OK, but we were spoiled from the day before at the Wild Animal safari (which is own by the zoo). Madelyn once again found the Zebra vibrating chair and had to sit in it each time we passed one. She loved the Sky Ride, once she figured out we were going to go back down, and the polar bear exhibit.

But the most exciting part of the day for the little munchkin was the Jaguar exhibit. You would have thought she had won the lottery, so thrilled to see "Baby Jaguar". Any one who watches Go Diego Go would understand. Her daddy gave her a stuffed Baby Jaguar and he goes everywhere with her. Madelyn even took the pictures of the Jaguar. Yes, she still talks about the Jaguar, but if you ask her what she saw at the Zoo, Madelyn will tell you about the elephant that "pooped and peed a lot"! The Elephant Odyssey was amazing and allowed you to get up close to the elephants and see how they were taken care of. We saw one elephant getting it's daily pedicure, and saw two other elephants playing together. One of the elephants turned its rump to use and proceed to pee in front of Madelyn. I wish I video camera with me, because Madelyn's eyes got very big and she said, wow, that's a lot of pee. Moments later, Madelyn loudly exclaimed to the enjoyment of the people surrounding us, "Look mommy that elephant's poop is bigger than me and really stinky". Profoundly impact by this sight, she still tells everyone about the elephants at the San Diego Zoo.