Going on a cart ride!

Madison likes to put Emmalene in the rolling drawers from their bedrooms and push her around the house. Madison puts Emmalene inside with stuffed animals and off they go. Madison loves to hear Emmalene laugh as she wheels her from room to room!

Three Sets of Pigs

Around our house, we call toes 'pigs'. You know, "This little piggy went to the market...". Well, Jordan, Madison and Emmalene were playing on our bed when I snapped this picture of three sets of cute pigs. Cute, short, stubby pigs!

Highlands Hammock

On Saturday, January the 29th we went to Highlands Hammock for the afternoon. When I say "we", I mean Bruce, Emmalene, Jordan (family friend), Mark, Madison and myself. We picked up food from a drive thru and headed to the park for a few hours.

After spending a little time in the main circle eating lunch and playing at the park, we headed for the cat walk. It has been a long time since I've been on the trail, but it was better than I remember. It was a beautiful day and the kids had a lot of fun.

Jordan

Bruce and Emmalene

Madison striking a pose on a fallen tree.

More smiles!
This is Mark's official "muscle" pose!
What a cute kid!

Jordan on the catwalk.

Mark, Jordan, Madison, Emmalene, & Bruce
The kids had just commented that they hadn't seen any wildlife when this armadillo came past us on the catwalk.

Photos from the catwalk.

While walking on the trail, I looked up at the sky and this is what I saw. How pretty! I entered the photo this past weekend in the country fair, but sadly didn't place. It's okay, it's still beautiful to me. A calm January sky.

These three looked for oppoturnities to have their photo taken.

Nobody can say they're shy!

Hurry, help us hold this tree up! What a bunch of hams!

Just goofing around

Madison loves a camera! She was playing outside last night when she asked me to take pictures of her while she was running towards me. This is what I got!

What a ham!

It's all about drama!

Look Mom, I'm a star!

Lawn Mowing 101

Bruce has been telling Madison that she's going to work with him this summer. Her answer is always, "No way!" Well, she doesn't realize that she does not have a choice! He told her that she'll work with him only one day a week. It still didn't change her mind when she heard she'll get paid.

Bruce explained to her that the only thing she'll be doing is driving one of the mowers. He planned on teaching her how to operarte it and give her plenty of time to practive before summer arrives. Still, she kept saying, "No". Let me repeat, Bruce told her that she doesn't have a choice.

Well, last night we were outside with Emmalene and Madison when I handed Emmalene over to Bruce while he was driving one of his mowers. Emmalene didn't cry! We were shocked. Madison was terrified of Bruce's mower when she was young. So, we just assumed Emmalene would be too.

Madison watched Emmalene ride on Bruce's lap for at least 15 minutes and then decided she wanted to drive one of the mowers. I was surprised!

Bruce unloaded another mower from his trailor and began giving basic driving instructions. We have an empty lot in front of our house that was perfect for practice. After a pep talk, he sent her off. She did great! She was giggling and laughing so hard that I could hear her over the sound of both of the mowers! She had a blast!

Lawn Mowing Skills 101

Madison ended up driving for at least 20 minutes. It started getting dark fast and we needed to head inside. Before he put the mowers up, Bruce was following beside Madison and I snapped a few pictures. Unfortunately, it was a little dark so the photos aren't great, but I'm sure I'll have an opportunity to get more - she's hooked!

Madison driving all by herself!

This one is pretty hard to see, but Bruce is riding

beside Madison.

Bruce, Emmalene and Madison

Emmalene playing with the mower controls.

Emmalene's Booster Seat

Emmalene has been sitting in her high chair for a while now. She has gotten to the point where she tries to turn around constantly! It's a fight to get her to sit still. So, something had to be done!

One of her baby shower gifts was this booster seat. We tried it a few months ago, but she was a little unstable in it then. We decided to try it once again last week. What a difference! She loves it! She can now sit up at the table with us and view things outside and inside. She's growing so fast!

Cute cheesy smiles!

How did we spend our New Years Eve?

A few years ago, we started our own tradition. Instead of getting out on the roads, we decided staying in would be a lot safer and kid friendly. So, we decided New Year's Eve is our official "Ice Cream Sundae Night!"

The day before New Year's Eve, we go shopping for ice cream and all the toppings. We go all out! Sure, we eat ice cream during the rest of the year, but this is the time that we buy all kinds of stuff like chocolate syrup, caramel, nuts, cherries, whipped cream, etc.

Mark was with us this year. He enjoyed it just as much as we did. We had a great time playing the Wii and just visiting with each other.

Emmalene wanted to sit on the couch with Madison.

She was waving when I took this photo.

Bruce playing the Wii.

Emmalene, Mark and Madison