Family reunion

This past weekend my family in La Crosse had a family reunion. The reunion was in a park, and the weather was perfect. This was the first time they all got to meet Madelynn. They also threw a shower for Maddy, which was so sweet and they got her way too much stuff. She is one loved little girl. Hayden had a blast at the reunion, thanks to all those wonderful family members who played with him and got him some fun outdoor toys. He also is one lucky little boy. It was fun to visit with everyone and went by way too quick. Here are just a couple of pictures from the reunion, I didn't get a chance to get everyone holding Maddy or playing with Hayden.

Great Aunt Darlyne and Madelynn

Hayden and Great Aunt Darlyne

Hayden and Karen (one of his favorite Playmate buddies)
Karen and Madelynn

Jeannie and Madelynn

Hayden's first day of Preschool

Hayden was so excited on Monday to start his first day of 4 year old preschool. He goes Mon/Wed/Fri. in the AM's. This year he already has some friends that are in his class from last year, PJ and Olivia. As soon as he saw PJ on Monday he wanted to get out of the car and go. Certainly no jitters about leaving me that's for sure. This year he has three separate classrooms, they start in the learning room and then get to go to the Explore room and library room for the last half. The Explore room has all the toys. Plus they have outside time as well. He sure was tired after his first day on Monday, but it was a good fun tired.

Hayden's first day of 4 year old preschool

Walking into school

Hayden and his Forts

Hayden has a thing about building forts. He seems to prefer to build forts out of pillows, doesn't matter whether they are bed pillows or the pillows from the sofa. Pretty much every day involves building some sort of fort. The pillows from the sofa don't always stay up like he wants. The other day he got a little creative to make sure the pillows would stay where he wanted them, he used all sorts of toys to secure them. He also dragged over the coffee tables so it would be long enough for him. I gave him an "A" for creativity.

He likes to build things, just like his Daddy. The two of them have so much fun building things with their legos. Sometimes I don't know which one is having more fun when they are playing.

Hayden and one of his many Forts

Madelynn at 5 weeks old

Maddy has started to have her first real smiles. She loves to smile at her big brother Hayden. She already adores him, you can see it in her eyes. Hayden is like my little reporter when it comes to Madelynn. If she is sleeping in her swing, as soon as her eyes opens he lets me know.

This weekend we are going to La Crosse, WI for a family reunion for my side. This will be the first time they will meet Madelynn, we are very excited for the trip. I am sure I will have pictures to post from the reunion.

Madelynn at 5 weeks old

Maddy Napping

Madelynn at 4 weeks old

Hard to believe that this Friday Madelynn will be 1 month old! Hayden has adjusted well to his new baby sister. Although yesterday I had been playing with Hayden with his Lincoln logs and then I had to feed Maddy. Well while I was feeding Madelynn, Hayden wanted help with the lincoln logs. I told him I would help him after I was done feeding his sister. At this point he said "let's just get rid of her, let's sell her!" It was the first real sign I have seen of jealousy from him. He did say afterwards when I was playing with him again that he didn't want to sell her. But needless to say he is still getting used to having Madelynn around. Overall I think he is an amazing big brother. He always wants to talk to her when she is awake and wants to make sure she is ok.

Madelynn at 4 weeks old

Hayden really likes his Dove Dark Chocolate!

Grandma and Grandpa's Visit

Last weekend Grandma and Grandpa came to meet Madelynn and of course play with Hayden. We had lots of fun playing with them. They brought with them some of Andy's old Star wars and GI Joe toys. Hayden just loves all of the new spaceships and boats he gets to play with. Now we just need more space to store all these new toys. Our basement is a toy land. Hayden also went to a friend's birthday party at Chuck E Cheese with Mommy. He had a blast and didn't want to leave.

Grandma and her Grandkids

Grandma and Grandpa with the Grandkids

Who Does Madelynn Look Like???

We have gotten the question, who does Madelynn look like? We know that Hayden looks like his Daddy when he was young. With Madelynn some say she looks like Hayden. We think she has her Daddy's nose and looks a bit like her Mommy when she was a baby. Here are pictures of all of us when we were young and one of Andy when he was 4-5 years old. It is shocking how much Hayden looks like his Daddy as a child. Feel free to let us know who you think Madelynn looks like.

Madelynn 2 weeks old

Heather 3 months old

Andy 4 months Old

Hayden 4 Days old

Andy 4 or 5 Years old

Hayden and Madelynn