HaPpY 3Rd BiRtHdAy, MaDdIe

"Madeline's Candy Shoppe and Soda Fountain"...the theme for Maddie's 3rd birthday party. Buttered popcorn, candy, decorating cupcakes, presents and family. My amazing parents drove to Chicago Friday morning and got my brother, Jeremy, to surprise Maddie for her party. They drove home Friday night and then drove Jeremy back on Sunday and turned right around to come back to Michigan same day...AMAZING. Maddie'e reaction was priceless-no hesitation when she opened the door and saw him. She ran right into his arms and didn't leave his side.

Watching Maddie and her cousins play was so great to see...they have such a great time when they get together. She LOVED all her presents! Then we got to go home and "make room" for all the new toys.

hAlLoWeEn 2oo9

We had a wonderful Halloween this year...hot cider, sloppy joes, pumpkins, candy, family and Maddie buzzing along. We went to Greenfield Village again this year...Maddie had a blast see the old-fashioned costumes and the headless horseman. Chuck's work had a Halloween party so Maddie got to go trick or treating around the halls of JP Morgan. And to top it off, Maddie's dance studio had a haunted house (which she loved!) and cookie decorating. October was a busy month but worth it! Maddie made a great bee and enjoyed buzzing around the streets of Dearborn.

fAlL iS hErE...

Fall is in full swing...apple orchard, sunflowers, college football.

fIgHt TiGeRs....

Fight Tiger, Fight for Old Mizzou...Go Fight Win, TIGERS!!! College football is off and running and we are instilling the values of the Black and Gold in Maddie. I was so proud...she pulled a Tiger she received at school out of her backpack and said, "Is this Truman?!" Future Tiger in training!!!

sTaYcAtIon 2oo9

We, like pretty much everyone else in America, enjoyed a staycation this summer. We went to the Detroit Zoo, the Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum, enjoyed some good food and hung out at home. We had a wonderful and relaxing time. This staycation thing isn't so bad.

NaVy GrAd PrOuD

Jeremy had his Navy Bootcamp graduation on August 21st...he looked so regal in his whites!! It was a wonderful visit to Great Lakes. I did get us into trouble before we even entered the base...apparently you are not allowed to take pictures of the outside of the base-oops. It was very emotional. Maddie jumped into Uncle Jeremy's arms when she saw him. There were tears all around. She didn't leave his side all weekend. We visited Chi town and Jeremy was able to catch up with some friends. The rest of the weekend we had some quiet family time...it was wonderful. He now has weekends free and should be wrapping up "A" school in the next few weeks. Then he can make it home for a couple of weeks before he ships out...bittersweet. We are so proud of him. He has really matured but is still the same ole' Jeremy.

tErRiBlE tWoS MoViNg AlOnG

I am working on Maddie's 3 year old pics...only 2 months away. UNBELIEVABLE!! We are anxiously awaiting our visit with Uncle Jeremy. Maddie said that when she sees Uncle Jeremy they are, "going to take a nap on the couch, go the park and play with her water table!" You can see what their days consisted of when he watcher her!

Yesterday she pulled out the "gees Louise" on me. And her new favorite is "that's not nice." We have started a notebook with all of her "sweet" phrases...I would like to embarrass her in the future.