Madilynn's Birthday Party!

This past weekend we went home to Arkansas to celebrate Madilynn's 2nd Birthday! We had a great time. It was so good to see family and friends that we don't always get to see when we are there. Madilynn got so many new toys, books, and clothes. She has been very entertained this week!

Before I show the pictures of the party I have to do a little comparison...

Here's Madilynn at her 1st Birthday party!

Here she is playing at her 2nd Birthday party - I can't believe how much she has grown!


Here is Madison and Madilynn with the cake
I thought this picture turned out really good of them...
Enjoying her cake
Opening presents...

Madison and Madilynn even got to play with the farm at the park!
Thank you to everyone who made it to the party we really enjoyed getting to see everyone!

Happy Birthday Madilynn!

Today is Madilynn's 2nd Birthday! I can't believe how much she's grown and all that she is doing and saying these days. We had a great day! This morning Madilynn and I went to the library for storytime and playing. Then we took a picnic lunch to the shop where Daddy was working today and all had lunch together! She has so many new words and sentences each day I feel like I should note some of the them. Her newest words are "Happy" , "I sorry" ,"Pease"(for please - don't have a Thank you yet only a head nod), and "mine". Just had to share some pictures from today (even though her "official" party isn't until this weekend in AR).

Mommy & Daddy with the Birthday girl!








So cute...I love it!

Thank you Nana, Papa & Ashlee for the new night night....
Mommy & Daddy got her a musical tea set..
Already playing tea party!!

She loves the spoons...
She blew out the candles all by herself...good practice for this weekend!
Enjoying her cupcake!

Time to go night night...

Shoes

Madilynn has been all about shoes lately. When she remembers she'll go and get into mine and Michael's closets and start trying on shoes. It's so funny! I caught her and was able to get a few pictures and a video a couple of weeks ago. Daddy's cowboy boots...

Here's a video of her with my dress shoes!

I realized we don't get any pictures of her sleeping anymore. Napping with Daddy this weekend.

I painted my toenails this weekend and Madilynn wanted hers done too. Here's the result...so cute.

Pretty toes!

Joy

It's me again. This time I thought that I might be a bit more serious in my post. So if you are allergic to smelly sticky sappy stuff run now before you get a nose bleed. Miranda doesn't know that I'm posting this.

I was inspired by watching the movie Juno the other night. It got me thinking about how precious life is. I wanted to write my thoughts down about my daughter. Her 2nd birthday is coming up and I'm not ready. I want her to be as little and sweet as she came out. I feel like it was yesterday when we found out we were expecting. I remember when I first felt her move in Miranda's tummy. I was so excited I almost wrecked the vehicle in Greenland. I cry when I think of all the things Madilynn has done and will do.

Lately I've been really busy with school/work/research, but everyday I come home she smiles the biggest smile and I melt. She says "hey" or "hi" and screams "Daddy!" She is getting so big. I'm afraid I'm missing so much. Miranda tells me all the cool stories and activities they are doing. I miss napping and watching football in our white T's. I pray she accepts Christ as her savior and follows Him all of her days. I pray she marries a godly husband and remembers the things we teach her.

I remember all the silly stuff I did to entertain her and keep her from crying. It really has brought me to a new level where I don't put myself first. I appreciate how I'm humbled everyday. I remember tricking her into eating carrots by switching to sweet potatoes in between bites. I love tying her shoes and giving her a bath. I know one day it will stop but I'm going to enjoy it for now. She is our baby and I love her. Thank you Miranda for all the sacrifices that you went through and what you endure today. God has truly blessed our lives. We have the best support group.

Grandparents thank you for your patience and wisdom, Friends thank you for your kindness, Family thank you for your generosity

Well enough of this sissy stuff. Go Hogs Go.

Family Visit

Check it out. Big Bad Dad MP is making a post. I really wanted Miranda to keep doing this but I thought I would give my artistic side a chance to shine. She has been shaming me for a couple of weeks maybe after reading this you can convince her that she needs to be making the posts.

Let's check in on our Arkansans that we transplanted in Iowa. It is said they always make it back to their native home range. So far the transplant has been somewhat successful with a few migrations back to Arkansas each year.

The vegetation is quite thick this time of year. Watch out for poison ivy.

Breath taking natural beauty.

Look! We've spotted them. Here is the Large Hairy Back Male exploring the park.

Interesting some of the original troop from Arkansas came for a visit. Memaw, Pepaw, and Uncle G have come for the weekend.

Ladies and Gentlemen, here we see the Grand Matriarch (Memaw) showing her grandbaby how to throw rocks in the water at Ledges State Park. Fascinating! Oh look, as we pass through the park you will see the transplant troop congregating at the water hole (Des Moines River). We see that the troop is made up of the young one who I've named Madilynn and the parents (Miranda and Michael). I feel as though I'm becoming one of their troop.

Madilynn is now running down hill. Oops, I think she has detected our presence. Let's back away so as not to alarm her.

Madilynn is advancing everyday. She has mastered the jungle gym.

Isn't she sooo cute!

Kisses, Uncle G?

Oh you made her sad!

Madilynn is very keen on our presence. It's as though she is pointing at us.

Funny faces!!!

She's played hard this weekend. Time to go night, night.