Sock Puppets!

My sister Julia made a Sock Puppet Kit for Madelyn's 4th Birthday and on this rainy October day it was perfect for some great indoor play! Both kids really got into it, Ayden mainly liked to go through all the fun stuff and toss buttons on the floor but Madelyn was very excited and loved every moment of designing her sock puppet! The kids are so lucky to have such a creative and loving aunt and I admire my sister so much, this blog is definately dedicated to her!! Thank you for the fun activity that I got to share with both my kids!! Here are the pictures of our fun afternoon project!

Madelyn waiting patiently to get started!

The kids checking out all the amazing supplies Aunt Julia provided in the kit!

Starting to create....

Madelyn's finished sock puppet!

Having fun...

Ayden checking out his sock puppet!

The kids playing puppets together...

More fun play!

Madelyn having her puppet and mommy's puppet give kisses!

Thank you again Julia for being such an incredible aunt to both Madelyn and Ayden!

XOXO

All Comers Track 09

Madelyn participated in the Burlington's All Comer Track once again this year and once again LOVED IT! Even Ayden ran a few races, it was pretty darn cute! She is so fast and really loves to run and run and run.... here are some pictures of her track meets! :)

On your mark, get set, GOOOOO!

GO MADDY!

Ayden's first race, 15 months old! He was smiling and talking the whole time!

Madelyn and Torance so excited to see each other!

Ayden clapping for himself at the finish line :)

Fast as lighting.... :)

That's my girl!

Bryan's Promotion

Bryan was promoted to Captain in the Mount Vernon Fire Department this past June. He works very hard and we can't be more proud of him!! Here are some pictures taken at the swearing in ceremony.

Mayor Bud Norris swearing in Bryan as Captain

Madelyn and I pinning on his new badge

It's official!!

Visit from Grandma and Grandpa Herold!

We were truly blessed to have a visit from Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Dave this last month. They spent a week sightseeing and camping in our beautiful pacific northwest. We went to the beach which Madelyn and Ayden LOVED, we had beautiful weather and we took lots of pictures since we don't get to see them as often as we would like to! Thank you so much for spending time with us Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Dave! We LOVE YOU!

West Beach/Deception Pass

Grandpa and Maddy building a very rocky sand castle!

Madelyn and mainly Grandma constructed this amazing fort on the beach, what an awesome Grandma!

Stagecoach at the park where Gma & Gpa were staying

Wheeeee........!

Madelyn patiently waiting to roast hot dogs on a stick! :)

TULIPS!

A little behind on the posting.... and I realized I hadn't posted any tulip pictures yet! The tulips were gorgeous again this year and the kids loved running up and down the fields here are a few of our pictures....

Mothers Day

This year Mothers Day was pretty special since Ayden was also dedicated during our Sunday service at church! He was the only child that wouldn't let Pastor Hubbard hold him (little stinker) :) so I did the little runway walk so everyone could see and get pictures of our little "fire"! After church everyone came over to our house to have a nice BBQ in the backyard while the kids played. The sun was shining and to be able to spend it with family made it a pretty perfect day for this Mom!

Rollerskating!

We took Madelyn rollerskating for the first time! Our local roller rink does Toddler Skate on Tuesdays and Maddy had a BLAST! The adults can go on the rink in shoes to help the little ones and it is so much fun.... Ayden even trotted around the rink (in shoes not skates) :) My mom and both of my sisters even came by to participate and cheer Maddy on! I included some really cute videos of Madelyn skating... (don't forget to pause the music so you can hear her cute little voice) ENJOY!

Getting ready to go.... Daddy is putting on her skates!

Doing the "Hokey Pokey" with Daddy and Aunt Julia

So proud of our girl!

Easter

This year we decided to let Madelyn dye her very own eggs for the first time! We made it a special treat once little brother went to bed, and she had so much fun. She enjoyed watching the eggs turn colors and truly loved every minute of it!

We had a rainy Easter Sunday so it involved hunting for eggs indoors again this year! :) Maddy still had fun searching for eggs at home and at Grandma Pam's and Grandpa Ger's house too! Ayden was more interested in figuring out how to bite into the candy containers..... :) So much fun!