Soccer Girl!

Madeleine started her new soccer class today! She was so excited...especially after missing last week because of the flu - yuck! Her friend JD is also in the class and they had fun together! The teachers were nice enough to let Braden run around and play with everything...SCORE!!! Both my kids get to be happy & active!

Day at the Farm!

Madeleine & I had a fun mommy-daughter date out to Jubilee Farm to celebrate the coming of Fall Harvest! The farm had tractor rides, lots of animals and beautiful gardens to look at and homemade ice-cream...yum! We had a blast!

Madeleine Is Famous!

Madeleine is famous! Not really...but what a surprise it was when we arrived at the YMCA and saw her picture hanging on the wall in the kid zone! We were there the day the photographer came and we were asked to sign a release form...I never thought her picture would be chosen, but it was! So fun!

Escape the Rock Triathlon!

I finished my third and final triathlon of the summer! I would say that this one was definitely the hardest for me. I am not sure if it was all the hills on this course that kicked my butt or that I simply didn't train enough...who knows.

I got to do this one with a great group of friends which made it fun! Emily and I were both on our third triathlon of the summer but Katy, Natasha and Shannon were doing their very first! All the girls did so well and I was super impressed on how hard they each trained. They all did amazingly well!

This triathlon started with a half-mile swim, then a 12-mile out-and-back bike ride across  I-90 and finished with a 2.5-mile run. The bike ride was hillier than I anticipated and the head wind coming out of the East was killer. My time for this bike ride was almost identical to my last tri but I felt really weak afterwards. Then came the run...only 2.5 miles but a bunch of hills! I wasn't prepared! I am already a slow runner but felt even slower on this run. I am proud that I improved my swim time by two minutes though...actually, I am proud I actually finished!

The kids love to explore the parks after each race! Fun times!

Madeleine on her new scooter! She loves to zip around!

1st Day of PreK

Today was Madeleine's 1st day of PreK! She was so excited to go all by herself today! Before school, we had a mini photo shoot so I could capture my precious little girl on her 1st day! Braden was a good sport and sat in on some of the photos but mostly wanted sissy to chase him up the sidewalk!

Jeff took Madeleine on her 1st day. Here she is in front of her school!

Off she goes!

18 Months Old!

Wow, I can't believe our B-boy is 18-months old! He is growing so big and learning so many new things that he is able to express, it is such a special time. Braden is learning many new words and getting more coordinated each day. What I enjoy the most is how loving he is becoming. He totally understands what a hug and kiss are and gives them regularly! Jeff & I get our fair share but big sissy gets the most, especially when she wakes up in the morning. I wish I could capture these moments when she comes downstairs and he runs over, wrapping his arms around her and just holds her...then he showers her with kisses. Melts my heart! 

Of course, those are the happy, smiling, fun moments in our life but we've got our challenges too. He knows some words but still likes to scream at the TOP OF HIS LUNGS, REALLY LOUD to get what he wants! There is NOTHING quiet about Braden! He also does not know how to share and gets insanely jealous when anyone takes a toy he wants, takes a toy he thinks he wants, or gives attention to anyone but him ;) He also wakes up at the crack of dawn (sometimes before the crack of dawn) EVERY SINGLE DAY and never, ever lets us sleep in. Oh how Jeff & I would love to sleep past 6am just one day! I tell him everyday that he is lucky he is so darn cute because otherwise, I wouldn't be able to stand getting up so early!!! But we love this little face, this little smile and his growing personality!

Meet the Teacher Day!

Madeleine had her "Meet the Teacher" day at preschool this week. She was so excited to go and see her old school and see old friends! It is going to be a fun year!

Madeleine & Lexie outside before meeting the teachers!

Hooray, Ella is in our class again!

Old friends unite! What a big group hug - Ella, Alexa, & Madeira!

Yum, yum! Afternoon treat!

Franklin Falls

We hiked Franklin Falls with the kids over the weekend. What a beautiful hike! It was such a great hike to do with kids too, lots to explore and look at. We made it to the falls and the kids took their shoes off to dip their feet in the icy cold water. We had a lot of fun with the other million people that decided to do the hike that day :) 

Remlinger Farms

We took the Rardin Family to Remlinger Farms, a local working farm that also has barn animals and rides. The kids has fun riding the Tolt river railroad steam train and petting the farm animals - goats, horses, piggies, cows, alpacas, sheep, bunnies and donkeys! They even drove antique cars on the country driving adventure, rode in the canoe river, took a spin on the mini Ferris wheel and on the merry-go-round! What a fun day!