Madison Marie

For my first Throwback Thursday I wanted to post some pictures of Madison from years past. The picture above is of Madison when we were living in San Francisco. I love this picture because Madison looks like a girl who knows what she wants and is ready to go out and get it. The picture below is of Madison on her second birthday. We had a little Strawberry Shortcake party with a few friends. Madison insisted on wearing her Elmo slippers to her party. Madison also had her first haircut on her second birthday. Before then, she really didn't have enough hair to cut. I am not one to get mushy at birthdays (okay except when we go around and say what we love about each other), but I have to admit I have been feeling a little sentimental about Madison as I have been looking at old pictures. I can't believe Madison will be four on Sunday. She is so grown up. Time really does fly whether you are having fun or not. I guess the point is to try and enjoy each moment while you can.

Biggest Loser

Eliot and I are going to Hawaii in about 4 weeks. We are really looking forward to the trip. We decided to have a little weight challenge between the two of us. Whoever loses the most weight between now and Sunday, September 23rd, gets to spend a specified amount of money at our favorite beach/surf shop- Hansens. Hansens has an awesome selection of sandals (over 6,000 to choose from year round), beach attire, as well as other 'must have' beach accessories. It is the perfect place to shop before a trip to Hawaii. The winner will be able to buy some fun things for our vacation. I am determined to win, but I think Eliot is also determined to win. Eliot likes Hansens more than I do. I just wanted to make the competition official by posting the details to my blog. May the biggest loser win and win big!

A day at the park, everyday!

We have been going to the park just about everyday. Madison rides her bike and I pull Mitchell along in the wagon. We play for awhile and then have snacks under the shade of a tree. It has been great fun for me and the kids. It is so nice to have a park within walking distance. I see that a park within close proximity to our next home is a "must-have."

Churrascuria

Dining in Old Town San Diego. An all-you-can-eat-meat Brazilian restaurant.

"Vegetarian is an old Indian word for bad hunter."

Brian indicating that we want more meat! Thanks for traveling south for a visit.

The restaurant was called Rei Do Gado Churrascuria. How do you pronounce that Dave? We had a blast with Julie and Dave while they were San Diego. Thanks for coming!

Feed the Birds

Madison and Lilly feeding the ducks.

Mitchell feeding himself.
Some for me, some for the ducks, some for me...

Nice throw Madison!

Princess Maddy

Madison turns four in one week. I can hardly believe how big she has gotten. We are having a Garden Birthday party on Saturday. I am really looking forward to throwing Madison a big party. She is super excited and very much looking forward to a party with friends, cupcakes, balloons, and flowers! She made this hat at her a preschool summer camp. If you ask me, I think her hat outshines all of the hats at the Del Mar races.

Cousins!

This is a classic cousins picture. I think we will all look
back, cousins included, and cherish this photo and the
time of life when it was taken. -04August2007

From left to right: Madison (3), Mitchell (14 mos.), Clark (4),
Joel (15 mos.), Kate (6), and JJ (1).

Maddy Crocker

Madison is the best little helper ever. She loves to help with anything and everything, including but not limited to laundry, cleaning the bathrooms, picking up toys, and cooking. Here she is helping me make Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes. They were really yummy by the way! How lucky I am to have such a sweet and helpful little girl.

Baller

He poses... He makes his move... He shoots... He scores!

Mitchell loves to play basketball, not only basketball but anything that involves putting a circular object into some type of container-- it doesn't matter what exactly. It is amazing how much he adores sport-like activities at such a young age. He is also really into to clapping right now. He loves it when we clap for him and he loves to show us how good he is at clapping himself.