Madison Jay is 1!!!

Hi,

Today was the big day! Our baby turned 1!

Although we weren't able to make it out to do the couple things we had planned (not a great day to go out with the weather and a couple of us have bad colds), we had a fun day at home! We got up around 8, played for awhile, ate breakfast,

took baths, frosted her little cake and some cupcakes (which she loved to eat!),

and opened a couple presents! We will celebrate more next Saturday at her party! She fell asleep around 7:30 tonight (she was pooped!)

Just hanging out!

We were just hanging out last night and decided to take a couple pic's by our tree.

The girls were wearing matching shirts!

Then, we took baths! Lots of bubbles!

Love you all!

It's official...Madison is walking!!!

We think it is safe to say that Madison Jay is walking! She will be 1 tomorrow! Last night she managed to walk about 20 feet without stopping. I even turned to Jason and said "can I put it on her calendar that she is walking?" He thought it was safe to do that! That has been an ongoing question for us for about 6 weeks. She has been taking 4-6 steps for awhile now. We weren't quite sure what to consider "walking!" It is hard to believe...where does the time go? My baby will be 1 tomorrow! More fun birthday party details and pic's to come!

Presley's Christmas party at Sunny Days!

Presley had another great day at Sunny Days on Thursday! It was their Christmas party! Of course, the best part for Presley, was the presents! Mommy joined her for most of the party and helped Mrs. Larson and Carol. Presley had the show and tell bag (and brought some ponies and her letter from Santa). Then, they made gift bags for their mom's and dad's (they had made a pretty ornament on the Tuesday before), played "pin the red nose on Rudolph," listened to a Christmas story, played with the parachute, had snacks (even mommy got to sit at the apple table with Presley and had a snack),

and then opened presents! Presley got a really nice Barbie from another girl.

It was a fun day! She does not have pre-school now until after the New Year.

Presley's Christmas program at St. Matt's a success!

Presley did a wonderful job at her very first church program on Wednesday night at St. Matthew's. The pre-schoolers had to go up front and sing 3 songs. She sang her little heart out, did most of the actions, and rang her bell! Grandma Sue, Pauly, Uncle Eric, Grandpa Darwin, Grandma Mary, Great-Grandpa Harm, and Great-Grandma Rose all joined us to watch her! We were all so proud of her!

Weekend in Winona and Lacrosse

Hi,

We had a wonderful time this past weekend in Winona and Lacrosse. It was our annual Christmas / holiday shopping trip / getaway. We have been doing this ever since we got married + a few years when were were dating. We had not been to the Winona and Lacrosse area for 4 years. It's always fun to go back and see how it has changed. It's hard to believe it's been 6 years since I went to school in Winona. This was where I stood the day my family moved me to Winona.We had a great time eating at our favorite spot in Winona (Jefferson's - which you all probably remember as this was the place we ate when anyone would come to visti), seeing the sights (the 2 places I lived and some of our favorite drinking spots), swimming at the hotel in Lacrosse,

and shopping of course! We shopped on Saturday in Lacrosse and then again in Rochester on our way home. By Sunday...Madison was exhausted!

It was a great time!

The lights go up!

Hi,

Just thought I would share this cute picture of Jason and Presley! They were putting up Christmas lights the day after Thanksgiving! They are so cute! It ended up being such a nice day out...so Presley had a great time helping (and standing on the ladder!)

A couple visitors in November

Hi,

Last week we had our friends Angie and Jacob Meyer come out for supper. Brian had to work so he wasn't able to come over. We try and get together every 4-6 weeks and take turns going to each other's house and making supper. We had homemade macaroni and hot dogs (one of Angie's favorite's).

Last night, our good friends, the VanWesten's came over for supper. We had a great time spending the evening with them and catching up. I made homemade pizza and we had lettuce salad and toll house bars for dessert. The kids are all sure growing up.

Presley's Fall Harvest Program

Hi,

We had a wonderful time at Presley's Fall Harvest program at Sunny Days on Thursday!

Presley did a great job!

She sang her little heart out and did most of the actions. They sang 6 songs and then we got to make 2 different turkeys with them.

Jason, Madison, and myself went to see her along with Grandma Sue, Grandpa and Grandma Sieve, Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Dammer, Shelly, Konner, and Autumn. We were all very proud of her!

Madison is 11 months old!

Hi,

It's official...Madison is 11 months old already. In just 1 month, she will be 1. Where has the time gone? She is doing so great!!!!

She is doing a few new things. Her big thing is she can climb up (which she mastered a few months ago) steps and now down them! I taught her how to go down on her tummy and put one leg down at a time! She is also quite the monkey. We find her constantly standing on chairs and step stools.She is eating mostly all big people food. She loves noodles, crackers, cheese, and kit kats! She had just ate a cookie in the below picture!

She loves drinking milk and water in a cup and holding it by herself! She just started to shake her head no. She isn't walking quite yet. Anyday I think she will just take off. She has mastered 3-4 steps. If her destination is a ways away, she has figured out it's easier to just crawl! She has 8 teeth (4 on top, 4 on the bottom). She is really starting to enjoy playing with her sister in the toy room and loves baby's. She is still so smiley and happy! How did we get so fortunate to get 2 kids that were such great baby's!!!

Mid-Nov - not much new!

Hi,

I thought I should check back on our blog to see when I posted last. It's been over 2 weeks. I better get busy! Really nothing too knew with us though! We had our first school cancellation last week...and it ended up being a day I had off due to no daycare. So, last Tuesday, the girls and I stayed home! It was a fun day. This past Friday night, Jason and I had a date night. We went to Sioux Falls. The Sieve's watched the girls. We started our Christmas shopping and did pretty well! Saturday and Sunday, Jason worked for our friend hauling manure, so the girls and I did our own thing. We hit a few craft stores on Saturday and Sunday we went to Sunday school and spent some time with my mom and grandma. Otherwise, not too much new with us! Here are some fun pictures!

Fun weekend with Auntie!

We had such a great 3 days with Auntie when she was home! Her and Kevin got to our house on Wed. night around 9:00 p.m. We stayed up until 11:00 visiting. They watched the girls all day Thursday as Jason and I had to work. They got to take Presley to her pre-school Halloween party. I stopped by for an hour too. It was fun to see all the kids dressed-up. Thursday night we had supper and carved pumpkins! Friday we spent the day just hanging out at home. Late Friday afternoon we got in our outfits - Presley was a cheerleader, Madison was Minnie Mouse, Auntie was a cheerleader (Kelly Kapowski!) and Kevin was a football player (Zack Morris!). We spent the evening trick-or-treating! We went to Mary Engler's, Grandma Norma's, Grandpa and Grandma Dammer's, Grandpa and Grandma Sieve's, Grandma Sue and Paul's, Sharon and Darwin's, and Kile and Brad's houses. We also had homemade pizza at Grandma Sue's and celebrated Paul's birthday with icecream cake. It was a fun filled night! Sat. a.m. we met at Grandma Sue's to take our Christmas card pictures, had a quick breakfast, and sent them on their way. Aunite flew back to CA late Sat. afternoon. We were very sad to see her go...but excited to know that in just 7 1/2 weeks she will be home for 10 days!

Auntie will be home soon!

In less then 24 hours, our Auntie will be home! We can hardly wait! We haven't seen her in 8 weeks. She is going to be at our house until Sat. a.m. YEAH!!! We love you Auntie!

Presley & Madison

Visit to Grandpa Terry's new place

On Saturday, we headed up to Mankato to help Grandpa Terry move. After 2 years in Cambridge, he transferred to a Cub Foods in Mankato. We helped unload the UHaul late Saturday afternoon, went out for supper and hit Target on Sat. We had a big slumber party at Grandpa's house as Uncle Eric, BJ, and Briana (Eric's friends) were there too. Sunday we went out for breakfast and then spent 4 more hours shopping (much to Jason's delight!) Of course Presley had to ride on the carousel (twice) at the mall! It was a fun weekend!

Madison takes off!

Yes indeed...she sure did! Friday night (Oct 24), we were eating supper and Presley yelled "Look at Madison!" She had taken off with her toy walker...and walked across the living room floor! And, she continued to do that the entire night...across the living room, down the hall, etc.! She is getting so big! We also noticed her 8th tooth has come through! In 7 weeks, she will be 1!

Presley visits the firestation

On October 23, Jason, Presley and I headed to the fire station for pre-school. Jason took the morning off so that he would get a chance to bring Presley to pre-school and ride the bus! I met them there. She had a great time...and all the kids seemed like they learned a lot. She knows what to do if she were to catch on fire, where to go outside if our house was on fire, etc. It's amazing what they absorb!

Madison Jay is 10 months old!

Hi,

How could I forget...Madison Jay turned 10 months old just 2 days ago! I

She is doing so great! She is a very busy baby!!!!

Here's a little update -

Teeth - she has 7 now...4 on the top...and 3 on the bottom! And boy does she use them with...

...Eating - she eats lots and lots of table foods. I think I can count on 1 hand the number of times I have bought her baby food. She loves table foods and...

...Moving!!! She is constantly on the go. She's been crawling for months now and is really getting around with walking along furniture. She has let go of things a few times and found she can stand by herself for about 5 seconds. She reaches between her toys and has really ventured out a few times. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if she...

...Walked very soon! By a year, she will be walking.

She has really started to play well now...she loves to play in the toy room with her big sister! And she hates the 2 gates we have up...that keeps her from exploring up (or down) stairs! She is quite the gabber (I wonder where she gets that) and loves to talk on the phone!

It's hard to believe in just 2 months, she will be 1!