Buttercream Sugar Cookies
6 months ago
It's Official...
...I'm calling it. FIRST WORD! Madeline loves our dog Sadie. She's pretty much the only person that likes that dog. She loves to pet her, watch her, take her on walks, and feed her (which entails her dropping food on the floor and watching Sadie eat it). Now, she likes to say her name! Every time Madeline sees Sadie (or any other dog) she starts saying "dadie, dadie." Sometimes she gets the S in there too..."Sdadie." I think it's cute. It breaks Ian's heart. Hopefully more words will soon follow!
Summer
First off I wanted to start by telling you all that I got a calling (assignment) in my ward today. I am going to be the Beehive adviser which means I will be teaching the 12 and 13 year old girls every Sunday. I am really excited since I basically haven't had a calling since Ian and I were married. Plus I think it will be really fun! Ian also received a new calling in our ward about a month ago. He is the new Ward Mission Leader. He is doing great so far. It has helped me realize that I should be doing more missionary work.
Our summer has been fun. We have tried to get out and do something a few times. You may not believe me after looking at the pictures, but it has actually been pretty cold here. We beat all kinds of records for most rain, latest it has gone before an 80 degree day, coldest day/month, etc. It finally has felt like summer this week.
A month ago or so we spent a day at the beach. We went to Fort Stevens in Astoria and the Astoria Column. The Goonies was filmed in Astoria and it happened to be the 25th anniversary celebration there that weekend. Unfortunately all of the activities for it were too expensive. We then drove down to Tillamook to go to the Tillamook Cheese Factory.
For 4th of July we did a few fireworks at home on Sunday. On Monday we went to Cascade Locks in the Oregon Gorge and went on a family bike ride. We pulled out the bike trailor that my dad had bought when Oliver was born (17 years ago). Madeline DID NOT LIKE IT. We also stopped by Bonneville dam and watched the fish swim up the fish ladders.
Other than that, we have just done some of the usual summer stuff...
...eat watermelon...
...go boating...
...go swimming...(this isn't the best picture of her but it shows off her SIX new teeth that have grown in this month. She now has nine teeth!)
...catch some rays...
...and play outside. Isn't she getting so big?
Our summer has been fun. We have tried to get out and do something a few times. You may not believe me after looking at the pictures, but it has actually been pretty cold here. We beat all kinds of records for most rain, latest it has gone before an 80 degree day, coldest day/month, etc. It finally has felt like summer this week.
A month ago or so we spent a day at the beach. We went to Fort Stevens in Astoria and the Astoria Column. The Goonies was filmed in Astoria and it happened to be the 25th anniversary celebration there that weekend. Unfortunately all of the activities for it were too expensive. We then drove down to Tillamook to go to the Tillamook Cheese Factory.
For 4th of July we did a few fireworks at home on Sunday. On Monday we went to Cascade Locks in the Oregon Gorge and went on a family bike ride. We pulled out the bike trailor that my dad had bought when Oliver was born (17 years ago). Madeline DID NOT LIKE IT. We also stopped by Bonneville dam and watched the fish swim up the fish ladders.
Other than that, we have just done some of the usual summer stuff...
...eat watermelon...
...go boating...
...go swimming...(this isn't the best picture of her but it shows off her SIX new teeth that have grown in this month. She now has nine teeth!)
...catch some rays...
...and play outside. Isn't she getting so big?
One Year Stats
Madeline had her one year check up on Wednesday. She was 24 pounds and 30.5 inches which are both in the 90th percentile. The doctor seemed concerned that she doesn't say 1-3 words. I am not worried though. I think she is just in a house full of adults who talk for her. She does know words. For example, if you ask her to go get her baby, piano, or the ball, she will go get it. She also knows where her nose is and will point to it if asked. I'm sure she will start talking before too much longer. Anyways, as always, here are a few more pictures of her...mostly for her Grandma Payne and Aunt Emily to see.
She LOVES to be outside.
She LOVES to be outside.
ONE YEAR OLD!
Saturday was Madeline's first birthday. I can't believe my baby is already one year old! I took this picture one year ago today.
Now look at her!
We went to California for Jeremy's (Ian's brother) wedding the second weekend of May. It was really fun to be there and see everybody and we are excited to have Cami join the family. We decided to celebrate Madeline's birthday with the Payne family that weekend. Since Ian's sister, Elizabeth, happens to be a professional cake maker, she agreed to help me make a cute birthday cake for Madeline (aka mostly make it herself).
Ian helped too.
Here it is. Isn't it cute?! It was a mini tiered cake. Madeline sized!
Thanks for helping out Liz! (She also made the wedding cake which was AMAZING. It was a busy weekend for her.)
It was a strawberry cake with strawberry buttercream and strawberries between the layers. We tried to make everything pink for the baby girl... The cake tasted really yummy.
After cake Madeline opened her presents. She wouldn't let anyone help her except Cami. She was proud of her books.
We celebrated Madeline's birthday with my family on Saturday. I made another cake, this one FAR less impressive (it still tasted good though).
Madeline kind of figured out how to open her presents, although she struggled a little.
We got her this baby doll which she "gives loves" to a lot. It's cute.
This week, as well as with the Paynes, she was pretty unsure at what was happening when were all singing to her.
She was sure she liked the cake though.
It's been a fast but fun year and I am excited to see how she will continue to grow and learn over the next year!
P.S. Just a family picture from the wedding...
Now look at her!
We went to California for Jeremy's (Ian's brother) wedding the second weekend of May. It was really fun to be there and see everybody and we are excited to have Cami join the family. We decided to celebrate Madeline's birthday with the Payne family that weekend. Since Ian's sister, Elizabeth, happens to be a professional cake maker, she agreed to help me make a cute birthday cake for Madeline (aka mostly make it herself).
Ian helped too.
Here it is. Isn't it cute?! It was a mini tiered cake. Madeline sized!
Thanks for helping out Liz! (She also made the wedding cake which was AMAZING. It was a busy weekend for her.)
It was a strawberry cake with strawberry buttercream and strawberries between the layers. We tried to make everything pink for the baby girl... The cake tasted really yummy.
After cake Madeline opened her presents. She wouldn't let anyone help her except Cami. She was proud of her books.
We celebrated Madeline's birthday with my family on Saturday. I made another cake, this one FAR less impressive (it still tasted good though).
Madeline kind of figured out how to open her presents, although she struggled a little.
We got her this baby doll which she "gives loves" to a lot. It's cute.
This week, as well as with the Paynes, she was pretty unsure at what was happening when were all singing to her.
She was sure she liked the cake though.
It's been a fast but fun year and I am excited to see how she will continue to grow and learn over the next year!P.S. Just a family picture from the wedding...
Tulip Festival
Every April there is a tulip festival in Woodland. I wanted to go see the flowers and take some cute spring pictures of Madeline in the tulips. Plus, I was going to be one of THOSE moms and send a picture we took in to the tulip festival cutest baby contest (despite Ian's protests).
Well, things didn't go quite as planned. I guess Madeline had different ideas. I even went back another day to try again and had worse luck than the first day. This is pretty much what she did both days...
Besides crying, she was only interested in eating the flowers...
and eating the dirt. She WOULD NOT look at the camera.
Obviously, she wasn't thrilled about getting pictures taken.
Here is a cheesy picture Ian got. The thought blurb in my head for this picture is "Mom. I know you want to get a cute, sweet picture of me with the tulips. Here's your one picture. Take it or leave it. Now get me out of here."
We did luck into a few cute pictures. The last one is my favorite but I think I will send in the next picture.
Well, things didn't go quite as planned. I guess Madeline had different ideas. I even went back another day to try again and had worse luck than the first day. This is pretty much what she did both days...
Besides crying, she was only interested in eating the flowers...
and eating the dirt. She WOULD NOT look at the camera.
Obviously, she wasn't thrilled about getting pictures taken.
Here is a cheesy picture Ian got. The thought blurb in my head for this picture is "Mom. I know you want to get a cute, sweet picture of me with the tulips. Here's your one picture. Take it or leave it. Now get me out of here."
We did luck into a few cute pictures. The last one is my favorite but I think I will send in the next picture.
Easter
Yesterday was Madeline's first Easter. We decided to get her a little basket, mostly just for the photo op. We "hid" it in the middle of the room. It took her several minutes before she even noticed it was there. Here are a few pictures in her Easter dress. She got dressed up even though the rest of us lounged around in our pjs all day.
We got Band Hero this weekend. I like it better than Guitar Hero - mostly because I actually know the songs. Madeline was rocking out on the drums.
We also have another BIG announcement. On April fools day Madeline walked for the first time. No joke. I thought maybe she was playing a trick on us and wouldn't walk again for a while but she has been getting better and better. This is the best video we can get. She has done better but every time the camera comes out she poses for pictures and refuses to walk. This is for you Grandma Payne...
We got Band Hero this weekend. I like it better than Guitar Hero - mostly because I actually know the songs. Madeline was rocking out on the drums.
We also have another BIG announcement. On April fools day Madeline walked for the first time. No joke. I thought maybe she was playing a trick on us and wouldn't walk again for a while but she has been getting better and better. This is the best video we can get. She has done better but every time the camera comes out she poses for pictures and refuses to walk. This is for you Grandma Payne...
