You could win....

I'm always game for a great give-a-way. If you are too, head on over to Camille's blog @ http://web.mac.com/cjroskelley. You could be the winner of this beautiful quilt.

...a new cousin

Madi has a new cousin. Boy was she excited to get to see him on Sunday. Him... his name is Riland David Messick and was born April 12, 2008.

It was fun to see and hear the excitement in Madi's voice; when we entered the hospital she began calling out for her new cousin. "Riland, where are you...my new cousin Riland, where are you?"

The weather was so nice this weekend and the kids were able to play outside. Gabe loved it and it was great to get outdoors. Gabe becomes more and more independent (if that's possible) everyday. He demands to walk to the car and once he's unbuckled from his car seat he's on his own again.

Is this not such a sweat picture. Four little ones piled in bed to watch a movie. Rylee, Addison, Gabe and Madi how cute.

I'm so disappointed in the weather. There was snow on the ground when we woke up. I'm so ready for snow.

Oh...Is it cute or inappropriate when your two year old daughter responds to your instructions with "yes your Majesty"?

I survived....

What you need to survive a trip with little ones:

If your wondering why the picture of ice bucket (liners)... the story will follow.

We headed out of town last Wednesday, destination Albuquerque. Madi and Gabe's first request Shrek, I loaded the DVD and away we went. The first stop was Cabelas. The kids had been awake thus far and it was great timing for lunch and for the kids to stretch their legs. We loaded back up and headed down the road. The kids took their afternoon nap.

Next stop Monticello, Utah. Monticello's claim to fame is...

The first "little" temple built for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". We stopped for dinner and let the kids play at a park. They had a good time.

After dinner we continued on. (Notice Gabe's red cheeks, it isn't sun or wind burn and it wasn't caused by the cold... Madi's cheeks are turning red too.) Our goal Cortez, Colorado.

40 miles outside of Cortez, Madi lost it. I'm talking about her dinner. She threw up all over herself and car seat. We pulled over and cleaned things up as best we could. We checked into our hotel and bathed the kids. Madi did not sleep at all that night and threw up numerous times during the night. When we loaded up the van on Thursday, we packed ice bucket liners. They made great barf bags. Madi fell asleep and slept until about 45 miles outside of Albuquerque. She threw up again, but this time it all landed in the bag. However, Gabe had decided he wasn't feeling well. I wasn't prepared and he threw up all over himself and his seat. Gabe felt much better after he let it all out. We stopped and cleaned things up as best as we could. I was so grateful to finally make it to Albuquerque. The kids wanted to play, so we found a park and ate lunch.

Curtis met us at the hotel and Madi and Gabe were so excited to see their uncle.

Friday morning we took the kids to:

a hands on learning experience of kids.

Friday night we went to the church to set up for the reception. Except Madi had one more spill, so we arrived a little bit later.

Luckily, both kids were feeling much better on Saturday. Curtis is now hitched and life is good.

We made it home with only one minor incident of car sickness.

Here are a few cute things Madi said or did on our trip:

My dad had one of these

it told us to turn "right". Madi responded: "I don't know how to turn right, I don't have a driver's license.

At the reception, Madi was playing with two other little girls, they had left the stage and she yelled "Hey you, hey you girls, get back here, I need to show you something." When the girls came up on the stage, she thought for a moment and pulled a funny face.

On Saturday night, Madi woke up in the night saying (or what I thought she was saying) I need 'juice'. I got up to get her a juice box, and she screamed "No, not a juice box, I need my shoes. I put her shoes on, she climbed back into bed, and went to sleep.

My goal for this trip was to take a lot of pictures. I didn't make it, I had my hands full.... I was surprised with how well behaved my kids were in the car. They were quite and were happy watching movies. I'm glad I was able to celebrate my brother's wedding with him. I was happy my grandma, aunt and sister were also there. I'm excited for Curtis and the adventure he has to look forward to. Congratulations.

Discusting

Disgusting - I'm not sure if boys think this is attractive, but I am thoroughly disgusted. Today I saw this... several boys with their pants sinched below their BUTT, not half-way down, I said below their butt. I'm suprised I didn't see a pair slip down to their ankles. This isn't a very good picture, thank goodness, but it's what I captured on my cell phone. I should have taken the picture when they were at the cash register, reaching in their back pockets for their wallets. I'm serious when I say the tops of their pants were down to their knees; it's a miracle one of them didn't fall over, or loose their pants all together. I certainly hope that there aren't any girls out there who think this is cool or looks good. I prefer it when people keeps there underwear in their pants. "Under"wear, doesn't that mean it should be covered.

I need three more....

Last night after grandpa Noal dropped a penny, he gave it to Madi. Madi put it in her pocket and promptly responded "I need three more". I wish it worked that way; Wouldn't it be nice to tell the bank teller "I need three more". I suspect that would not go over so well.

Screaming

Madi has taken up screaming and the morning seems to be the best time for her to practice. Madi is definitely not a morning person and it is becoming increasingly more difficult to get her up and going in the mornings. She has always liked to do things at her own pace and when she wakes up on her own she is more than pleasant; but good grief if the screaming could just be toned down a bit.

I hope the poor neighbors know that I'm not doing anything to harm my child - she is just moody, especially in the morning. Oh and by the way, I do comb her hair, it is just that those mornings when she's practicing her screaming, it's just not worth the fight.

We have just gotten over the battle with colds at our house. Both of my kids have been sick for it seems like three weeks. Fevers, coughs and runny noses are hopefully over for a while.

I am anxious for Spring. Take a look at these pictures from last year at Easter. I can't wait until we can go to the park and enjoy the sunshine.

Day to Day

Gabe is into everything and makes a mess out of anything. Yesterday I opened the fridge and found all the lids to my storage containers inside. Today he pulled out all of the Easter grass from granny's baskets. He climbs on whatever he thinks he might be able to get up on. He likes to push buttons on the remote, on the DVD player, on the microwave, and on the radio.

Madi has taken up dancing and likes to show off her moves. She enjoys listening to music and gripes when Gabe turns it off. Madi loves to go shopping and is extremely well behaved for a two year old while we are out and about.

Mike has started baseball. Unfortunately they are practicing indoors and it doesn't look like they will be outside for practices again this week. There first game is Wednesday and we still have a foot of snow on our baseball field. Thankfully, it's an away game.

I can't seem to keep up with work, laundry, house cleaning and all the other stuff going on. I'm getting excited for spring and can't wait to get outside with the kids. It has been a long winter cooped up inside.