Day #316

Happy Birthday Ted! Today is Ted's birthday and even though we did our big celebrating this past weekend, we will be doing a special dinner at home with presents. I wrapped them yesterday and Maddy has been so excited, shouting DADDY'S PRESENTS! She's all ready to help him open them and blow out the candles. 

Day #315

Tonight Michigan State who was #2 played basketball against the #1 team. Maddy and I put on our MSU gear to cheer them on! They won and are now going to be #1. Go Spartans!

Days #307-314

Well, well, well, I'm behind again. Sometimes I get behind because I don't take pictures, sometimes because I don't want to blog, and sometimes because living life makes it hard. It was definitely the third option this time. The past week was filled with gymnastics, live college football, writing on my dissertation, cleaning the house, driving to visit Great Grammie, having brunch with friends, celebrating Ted's birthday early, going to the park, having work friends over for dinner, and some relaxing (thank goodness). Here's a recap of the past 8 days!

Day #307

Maddy and I went to the park to work off some energy. Yay teeter totter!

Day #308

Maddy really likes helping and it's just easier to let her so here she is adding basil to our bruschetta for our dinner with NAPA folks.

Day #309

We have the tiniest yard but that doesn't mean we don't have to do yard tasks. Ted and Maddy had a blast raking and jumping in the leaves.

Day #310

Gymnastics take 2 was not as much of a success. Even though they got to use the trampoline and the bars, Maddy was really tired and a little grouchy and wasn't into it. We ended up only staying for about 2/3. Hopefully next week is better. 

Day #311

I bought Ted tickets to a UW football game so he could experience the new stadium. We had a great time even though we only stayed for the 1st half since it was cold and they were winning 31-7 (it got even worse after we left).

Day #312

Maddy stayed with Jenn and Paolo overnight while Ted and I did football and birthday celebrating in Seattle. Maddy had a blast with them, slept great, and will be begging to go back in no time! Auntie Jenn even took Maddy to the park.

Day #313

Our friend Paolo is in culinary school and works at a restaurant in Seattle called Revel. We went with Jenn to check out his Sunday brunch and it was amazing. Here's Maddy and I sharing food and using chopsticks. It was a great meal!

Day #314

Maddy and I have been trying to get down to Vancouver more, now that driving by ourselves has gotten easier. We took advantage of Veteran's Day off to take a day trip to visit Great Grammie. We got there in the morning, played, got take out for lunch and then headed back in the afternoon so Maddy could nap in the car. It was a great day!

Day #306

Here's Maddy after dinner, slouched down, with her feet on the table, eating M&Ms. Don't tell Emily Post about her manners :)

Day #305

Ted and I went to the Seahawks game on Sunday (boy was it crazy!) and Maddy stayed home with our new babysitter Norah. Norah has watched Maddy a few times but this was the first time that she didn't get upset when Norah came over and even ran and gave her a huge hug when she came in the door. They were together all day long and we got plenty of picture updates. Maddy and Norah went for a walk in the late morning (with Bailey too) which Maddy always loves. Norah also took her to a coffee shop in the afternoon (yay, another walk) and Maddy had her first hot chocolate. Mom and Dad had a blast at the game and Maddy and Norah had fun too. Double yay!

Day #304

Now that Maddy has turned 2, she is old enough for parent/child gymnastics at the Y. We decided to take a break from swimming this session and just do gymnastics on Saturdays. It was a great decision because we all had a great time. Maddy volunteered to be the example with Coach Alex three times and tried new things in front of the whole class. She did great on the balance beam and even tried the rings. She liked doing somersaults the most and probably did 10 in the course of a few minutes. So excited for gymnastics next week!

Day #303

We went trick-or-treating this year with Maddy (and Bailey). Maddy had a blast and wasn't scared at all. We took her fancy wagon and wheeled around Ted's parents' neighborhood. We hit about 20 houses, 3 of which gave out full-size candy bars! Maddy filled up her pumpkin and had so much fun. She got pretty good at saying trick-or-treat as the night progressed and always shouted THANK YOU after they deposited into her pumpkin.