Columbus Day Zoo Trip

Daddy was off from work on Columbus Day so we decided to take a fun family outing. Madison has been asking to go to the zoo for awhile and we just never got the chance to take her this summer since Caroline was born. So, we packed everything up, jumped in the car, and headed to the National Zoo. It was a chilly day, but perfect for walking around - Caroline did great in the stroller all bundled up. Look how much my big girl has grown since last year's trip:

Last summer - she was 14 months

This year - 2 1/2 years old

What a difference!

October Farm Fun

So, this year we decided to try out this new farm that is by my parent's house. My mom offered to watch Caroline so that Joseph and I could take Madison and enjoy the time with her. Applewood farms was super neat and affordable too! It only cost $3 per person and Madison was free! They had a hayride to the pumpkin patch, a large corn maze, a kiddie maze, a petting zoo area, model trains inside the barn, and a real train that ran throughout the farm! Madison really loved the corn maze - she thought it was super fun. Here are some highlights from our trip:
I love how Madison is studying the animals so intently. She wanted to know everything about them - what their names were, where they lived, who their moms and dads were, etc.... :-)


Getting ready to ride the train

She looked so super cute in her new puffy vest - I love how she always seems to "pose."

Daddy and Madison by the pumpkins

Here Madison is running through the kiddie maze. It was the perfect size for her. She was so determined to find the "right" way out.

I absolutely LOVE her expression in this picture - it is the "I'm super cute and I know it" expression :-)
I just love my girly so much. I'm so glad she lets me squeeze her often. Here we are in the pumpkin patch - taking a break from the extremely hard job of finding the "perfect" pumpkin for her AND one to take home for her little sister :-)

My sweet angel

I can't believe Caroline is already almost 4 months old! I love these pictures of her - they show her great smile. You can so easily get her to break into huge smiles these days. It is so much fun. I love my girl.

September Beach Get-Away

What a blessing it is to have a grandfather who owns a beach house in Ocean City RIGHT ON THE BEACH! You step off the back deck right onto the sand. He didn't have any renters for one week in September so he let us go down with some of our dearest friends. What memories we made! The Bangs, The Sohns, and the Decarlos all joined us for a long weekend trip. Having 7 toddlers and 3 newborns all together was sure to be chaotic, but I have to admit that it was "fun" chaos! The kids all did great sleeping and we really had a terrific time. It wasn't great beach weather except for one of the day, but we still managed to have tons of fun. We took the kids to the boardwalk rides two nights. And, on the last night there, we put the kids to bed early and enjoyed the best crab feast we had ever had. The crabs were huge, delicious, and seasoned just right. There's nothing better than some large crabs, some cold beer, and hot corn on the cob! Exhaustion set in on the last day because all of us adults couldn't seem to get to bed before 3am each night - the fellowship and fun was too sweet! I love the pictures from the trip - anyone notice that Madison is the only "white girl?!!" hehehehehe.....

Visiting with GiGi and Aunt Pam

Madison calls my grandmother (her great-grandmother) GiGi. It is super cute. She has such a good relationship with her. I love to watch my grandmother interact with my girlies and love on them. Aunt Pam is my godmother and loves my girls to death as well.

Madison's 1st Trip to Dutch Wonderland

This really brings back great childhood memories. When I was a little girl, my grandmother would take me to Dutch Wonderland every summer. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, Dutch Wonderland is a theme park for toddlers and preschoolers. Madison was the perfect age to enjoy it. The only ride she was too small to ride was the roller coaster (she was very disappointed!). We went with our good family friends - Sharon, Stephanie, and her two kids, Scarlett and Chaise.

Rehoboth Beach Vacation 2009

Every summer we enjoy a week of relaxation at my grandparent's beach house in Rehoboth. We weren't sure how "relaxing" it would actually be this year with a 2-year-old and 2-month-old. But, it was great! My parents were such a big help and we were all able to have a wonderful time. Madison LOVED the pool again and LOVED the rides. One day we met my cousins, Jason & Lori, and their 3 girls at the beach to play. Madison just couldn't get enough.

My New Camera!!

Soooooo.......I was finally able to get the camera I've wanted for so long. I have been saving up money to buy a really nice camera and I finally had enough! I wanted a camera that would easily capture my little girls. My old camera took so long to take a picture that I always seemed to miss the moment. And, with toddlers and babies you know you have to be quick! I got the Nikon D60 and am loving it! I really know NOTHING about it, but that's ok! Even with knowing nothing, it takes great pictures! Here are some of the very 1st shots I took with it when I was practicing outside - not too bad!

My precious BIG girl

I honestly can't believe Madison is almost 2 1/2 years old. My, how time flies! These pictures of her truly capture her personality: full of joy, precocious, spunky, loves people, dramatic, fun-loving, and cute as a button. It's actually very difficult to get good pictures of her these days, as she never wants to sit still! Jonalee, you are a hero!

Our 1st "Family of 4" Photoshoot

Jonalee met with us again to do a family photo shoot. She is just so talented and I'm so grateful to have some great shots of our new "family of 4." Here is a small sampling: