Wednesday, February 9, 2011

catch up...

****Life has been, well, busy I guess...just haven't had the time to sit at the computer and catch up on things...and of coarse since life has been busy, there is a lot to catch up on, which makes it even more difficult. Anyway, I need to post about our Christmas trip still and our trip to Kansas for Brandon's cousin's wedding. Those are the major events that have happened in the past couple of months...oh not to mention:
-Madyson is going potty some now
-Madyson started climbing out of her crib, which led to not going to sleep very well...ah! We took off the side rail and she is staying in bed better, but has now started to come into our bed around 5 am. She has NEVER slept with us her entire life at all, unlike the other two. It is an adjustment that we're all still working on.
-Madyson climbing up the piano, yep up on the keys...she likes to play the piano with her feet.
-Madyson climbing on the end tables and jumping onto the couch
So if you haven't gathered already, Madyson has entered the toddler phase of her life...she won't be two until June!
-Sarah amazing me everyday with her very intellectual self...("Mom, did you know that the sun was a great big star?"..."Mom, did you know that there are rocks on the moon?" ...Mom, why this?, why that?, why?, why?, why?) Mom: "Sarah, why do you always have to ask so may questions?" Sarah: "Cause that's how Heavenly Father made me."
-One day I was trying to help Kaden get a snack after school...he is always starving when he gets home. Sarah was trying to get my attention...Mom: "Sarah, I'm getting something for Kaden right now, can you just be patient please and then I'll help you?" Sarah: "Mom, Heavenly Father didn't make me patient!" (Yes, she is still just 3 years old.)

Kaden is happy and doing just great with all that life has to offer a little 5 year old. He has handled the all-day Kindergarten very well, but he does get worn out after those long weeks and looks forward to the weekends. He is also staying an extra hour after school once a week for some tutoring with his reading.

We are currently trying to buy a home...very exciting, but still in the works. We'll keep you posted on all of it! Brandon has recently registered to take the GMAT at the end of March. He would like to start his MBA part time in the fall at UT-Dallas. Hopefully he gets in. We feel like it's a great fit for him and he'll be able to continue working, so hopefully it works out.

Hopefully I'll get the pics posted soon!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Christmas in Maryland 2010...so much fun!

We had a great trip to Maryland for Christmas. We were able to arrive Christmas Eve and spent Christmas with my grandparents, my mom, sister and her family. We had such a great time visiting so many of my family that we hadn't seen since we were married back there in July 2004. We were able to go back and attend the temple, see the lights at the visitors center, and take the older kids downtown to the capital. I will journal more as I post the photos.

The drive was really great! The kids did awesome and it was absolutely perfect weather in such a beautiful part of the country.


The Brenda Cook family...(Chris and his kids were unable to come...we missed them)
Brandon, Maria, Kaden, Brenda, Mady, Sarah, Liz, Danny & David
Sarah just opened her unicorn pillow pet
Sarah on the road trip...she was so much fun;)
My grandmother and mom, Brenda

My Grandparents (Leslie and Jean Cook)..love them so much!
We got to go back to the temple we were married in...so beautiful, wonderful feelings!
Madyson loved getting into Grandma Cook's purse...here she is under the kitchen counter trying to find some "bum" (gum).
Kaden and Sarah watching cartoons
Kaden and Jared Monn(my cousin's son) at the Christmas Party.
Madyson at the Cook Family Christmas Party
Madyson and David loved the bucket of blocks at Great Grandmom's
Kaden was in love with this train set...(there are so many memories for me as a child in this exact room. It hasn't changed at all...same couch too.)
Sarah and Grandma making rolls for Christmas dinner
Daddy and Kaden putting his new United States puzzle together

Mady really was so great during the trip...she got tired on the last day and just wanted to be home, but other than that she was super!
Our little place...we decorated even though we were out of town.
This is my grandparents home...in the woods of New Windsor, MD