Flying High

Who's Wearing Mama's Shoes?

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:56:00 +0000

Madeleine loves shoes! I wonder who she got that from? NOT ME! But she is like most girls and seriously loves shoes! Lately she's been wearing my shoes around the house and especially loves my wedding shoes :-)

Our weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:28:00 +0000

Jeff & I had a busy, fun weekend! We celebrated 4 years of marriage this past week & weekend, saw a lot of friends and I hosted a baby shower!

My friend Trisha & I hosted a fun girls night out baby shower for our friend Shannon! She is having her 2nd baby and this time it is a girl!

Jeff & I are officially celebrating our anniversary in December but I had already asked my parents to watch Madeleine this past weekend so we spent our free time relaxing together and going out with some friends we haven't seen in a LONG time. We had dinner out at the Cactus on Madison and then went out for drinks. We had a GREAT time and Jeff especially enjoyed seeing all his buddies!

It was Megan's 30th birthday so everyone went out to celebrate! They are expecting their 1st baby in February!

Brian & Elise - just got back from trekking in Nepal for 3 weeks. Amazing stories!

All the guys...don't ask what they are doing!

We watched Taylor for a few hours this weekend too. Madeleine and Taylor pretty much scream the entire time they are together out of excitement!

Snow?

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:56:00 +0000

Yes, SNOW! We had snow here in Snoqualmie! For most of you that read this that live here and a few that live out of state know that Snoqualmie is at a higher elevation so we see snow more than Seattle...in fact, I called my brother today and it was sunny in Seattle but was snowing here. Crazy! Too bad M was sleeping though because by the time she woke up, it had melted. I can't wait for it to really snow again so she can experience it! Bring on the seasons!

Haircut #2

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:02:00 +0000

Madeleine got her haircut at the new kids salon at Bellevue Square - Dooz. We all loved it and she will definately go back! They cut her hair and put the hair in a little envelope, took a before & after picture and then she got to get a toy when she was finished! They had all kinds of toys for her to play with so I don't think she even knew she was getting her haircut. No fussing at all, just a happy girl with a great haircut...and a cute little braid in her hair when it was all finished! It is a bit on the pricey side so I will be trimming her bangs in between cuts but the experience is well worth the cost!

Baby Kathryn Is Growing!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:36:00 +0000

We stopped by to visit my brother, Sharyn and Kathryn for a quick visit over the weekend. We had all had a lot of fun seeing Kathryn and how much she has grown! She is a very good baby and so adorable. Madeleine did really well again with her too which makes me happy. She doesn't get as jealous anymore. Of course the next visit could be different but the last few times we've stopped by, she really likes baby Kathryn and doesn't mind if I hold her!

Bella Turns 1!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:26:00 +0000

Andrea's little baby turned 1 already! Bella had a ball at her party and got a lot of great gifts. She looked adorable in her little dress and walking around! I can hardly remember Madeleine being so small and walking.

Here is Bella & mama opening our gift!

Bella just hanging out on mom's lap while all her gifts are being opened! Lucky girl!

Madeleine was right there with her crackers for all the action. She loved seeing all the new toys and was lucky enough to be able to play with Bella's new train set!

Happy Birthday Bella! Enjoy your cake!

Happy Halloween!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:59:00 +0000

My paparazzi skills are fading....with Madeleine constantly on the move, I just can't seem to get as many pictures of her these days and honestly, I feel so busy running after her that sometimes I simply forget to take any pictures. But I did get a few on Halloween!

We had a few friends over for pizza, drinks and lots of candy! Our friends Lisa & Tyson joined us and they just had a baby girl named Olivia. We were proud to host her 1st Halloween! Taylor also came over (with Shannon & Conn of course) and he & Madeleine were out of control! They were so hyper that one would think they actually got to eat the Halloween candy. These two were so excited to answer the door and hand out candy and even more excited to walk around the neighborhood in the dark, knock on doors and grab candy. What fun!

Madeleine & Taylor giving each other a hug before heading out the door for some tricker treating!

Madeleine with her little pile of candy. She didn't even know what it was but she thought it was pretty cool!

Swim Lessons, Playdates, & Pumpkins!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:39:00 +0000

Here is what we've been up to:

We started Madeleine in swim lessons again! Three of our friends are in it as well so that makes the lessons even more fun for all of us! Madeleine is getting very brave in the water and can now jump off the side of the pool into my arms.

After swim lessons, we dropped Madeleine off at my parents for the weekend so Jeff & I could officially celebrate his birthday. We hit two happy hours, saw "Couples Retreat" (so funny) and Jeff got to relax all day on Sunday and do what he loves to do - watch football!

On Sunday night, Madeleine's very best friend Taylor came over to play. They ate dinner together at Madeleine's little table and looked like a little old married couple enjoying a nice dinner together. So cute!

On Monday we went to a Halloween playdate with Odin!

On Tuesday night, we finally carved our pumpkins! We thought Madeleine would get a kick out of it but she said it was "yucky". Oh well, Jeff and I sipped some yummy wine and had a great time!

Madeleine the Butterfly at Farm 47!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:51:00 +0000

I organized a playdate for one of my mom's groups at Farm 47 in Redmond today. 9 moms and their toddlers came and we had a blast! We saw pumpkins, did some art projects, road on a hay ride and took a ton of pictures of course!

This year, Madeleine is a butterfly for Halloween! The weather today turned out to be great, which means NO RAIN! But, we've been hit with some rain earlier this week so the farm was muddy. Madeleine only wore part of her costume because I didn't want to get the pants all dirty.

Here is the group!

Oh boy, she LOVED the puddles and got quite dirty!

So cute to see them all sitting and socializing with one another

Amy & Odin were also at the farm!

Seattle Childrens Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:29:00 +0000

Jeff & I took Madeleine to the Seattle Children's Museum on Monday! Madeleine loved it and Jeff and I did too...there is so much to do there that I felt a bit overwhelmed at times though. We made it through all the exhibits and Madeleine was sure tired when she got home. I've never seen her fall asleep so fast! You can always tell your child had fun when they come home with paint on their clothes, in their hair, and on their ears - she went crazy!

Here are Jeff & Madeleine outside the museum at the Seattle Center

Our first activity was ice painting! Each child got an ice-cube on a stick and a cup of powdered cool aid. As the ice melts with the powder, it turn to liquid to paint with. Madeleine would rather eat it than paint with it :-)

Madeleine loves playing with water and she left the museum soaking wet!

The grocery store was probably Madeleine's favorite exhibit! She loved grabbing the food items and putting them in her cart...she went around and around the store. She didn't want to leave.

Madeleine seems to be a healthy shopper too. She had a mix of fresh vegetables and fruits, along with some canned goods, a loaf of bread and of course some ice-cream!

Oh, I can't forget the bus. This was another favorite! She loves busses, she is constantly calling them out when we are driving so when she saw that she had the opportunity to drive a bus, she got so excited!

Finally someone is driving me around!

Jeff couldn't quite fit on this one!

Madeleine cooking up something delicious for dinner!

Puddle Jumping!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:45:00 +0000

Madeleine & I went puddle jumping today and had a blast! Madeleine just LOVES her new rain boots and wants to wear them any chance she gets. She thought the rain jackets was pretty cool too and liked the umbrella for about 5 minutes...then she couldn't be bothered to carry it.

Mommy has rain boots too!

Family Dinner!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:38:00 +0000

My grandparents recently moved into an assisted living home in the area. We are excited to have them living closer so we can visit more often.

Madeleine has met her great grandparents a few times in the past and she keeps them very entertained!

Pumpkin Hunting!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:47:00 +0000

We headed out to Jubilee Farms today to get our pumpkins! We had the best time! Madeleine totally enjoyed it and had a ton of fun! It was picture paradise too...we met the Hallali Family there and together, took over 60 photos.

We took a hayride out to the pumpkin patch and picked out the perfect pumpkin for our family! We also picked out a small pumpkin and a Cinderella pumpkin at the farm store. They also had hot cider, pony rides, a hay maze for the kids, pumpkin catapult (the kids went crazy over this), lunch to buy and cooking demonstrations. We will definately visit Jubilee again!

We almost bought the pumpkin Madeleine was sitting on here but it was too big to carry!

Daddy & Madeleine found their pumpkin!

Lots of Farm animals to see too! Madeleine liked the pigs. Oink, oink!

She loved the hay maze the most. It was so cute to watch her chase the twins, Sophie & Amanda, through the maze. The three of them were told more than once buy the "supervisor" (really a 14-year old kid) to stop running but they were having too much fun!

Old Friends!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:13:00 +0000

We met some old friends at a park in Bellevue today - another beautiful Fall day to enjoy! We visited and played with some of my old co-workers from Anthony's. Amy brought her twin girls and Candace brought her adorable golden retriever. We had a lot of fun!

Madeleine is learning how to smile on command :-)

The twins chasing Madeleine - she loved it!

And Madeleine stopping to point out something very important, I'm sure...maybe a bird?

Birthday Dinner!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:09:00 +0000

Here are a few pics from our night - I took Jeff up the street for dinner while a friend watched Madeleine for a few hours!

Jeff on the phone to his mom while watching the game

Yummy, decicious cake from Coldstone Creamery...and it's all for Jeff & I!

She already loves shoes...something she must have gotten from my mom!

Showing those big brown eyes just like her daddy's!

Happy 35th Birthday to Jeff!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:05:00 +0000

Today is Jeff's 35th Birthday! Happy Birthday Sweetie - I love you!

We're headed to dinner tonight while a friend watches Madeleine for us and then my parents are watching her at the end of the month so we can have a nice celebration and relax! I'm sure I'll be expected to watch some football too but that's okay - anything for Jeff!

Baby Kathryn Comes For A Visit

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:43:00 +0000

My brother & Sharyn needed me to watch Kathryn for one day this week so today we have her here! So far, so good! Both kids are currently napping so I have time to upload a few pics!

Aside from a bit of crying from both kids this morning, the day has gone pretty well! Kathryn was a little fussy this morning but I think she had gas pains and once that was over she slept on and off and ate a big bottle full of warm milk...and then she drifted off to sleep and has been asleep for over 2 hours! I have to say, I think it is partly our swing. Madeleine would sleep for 3 or 4 hours a day in our swing. It is a hand-me-down swing, totally old school, that makes a constant noise that must lull babies to sleep. Whatever it is, it works and I like it!

Madeleine was a little sad this morning when I picked Kathryn up but then she didn't mind at all. She went around the house playing with her toys and would every once in awhile give me a little whine and come over for a hug. We also had her friend Taylor over for a visit so she able to play with him and got lots of attention from his mommy Shannon!

Madeleine loves her baby cousin and gives her lots of kisses! Even when I don't say anything, she will just go over and give her a kiss! She's not all sweetness though...when Taylor was here, she tried to bite him when he took a car from her. I think it was a cry for attention. Not nice!

Lunch with Grandpa!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:36:00 +0000

Madeleine & I met my dad for lunch on Monday! It was such a nice day we decided to head to a cool park my dad had found and Madeleine loved it! What a great day!

Boots!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:16:00 +0000

Madeleine got new rain boots but likes mine more!

Who's walking who?

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:13:00 +0000

My parents were out of town this weekend and left Lucky with us! Madeleine loves when Lucky comes to play! She mostly enjoys walking Lucky but it seems that the dog is actually walking her :-)

Salmon Days!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:47:00 +0000

Shannon & I were still husbandless on Saturday morning so we took the kids to Salmon Days to watch the parade and do some shopping. The kids LOVED the parade, especially the marching bands and floats that went by! Some of the pretty girls on the floats waved directly to Madeleine and the look on her face was so adorable...she looked at me in awe as if to say, "wow mom, they waved AT ME!".

Madeleine waving to the floats

Oh the memories of marching in the Salmon Days parade...

Shannon & the kids!

Bath Time Buddy!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:41:00 +0000

Over the weekend, Shannon and Taylor came over to play while both our husbands were out of town. We put the kids in the bath together and they had a blast - giving hugs & kisses, splashing and screaming at the tops of their lungs! Who knew a bath could be so much fun? After the kids went down, Shannon and I watched a movie and relaxed with some ice-cream! Yum!

Work Picnic!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:35:00 +0000

Over the weekend we got together with some of the people that work with Jeff for a picnic! Thanks to Taryn for hosting! It was a lot of fun!

Taryn gave Madeleine a little bear which she fell in love with! She loves ALL stuffed animals these days!

Madeleine also fell in love with the twins! She wanted to do exactly what they were doing so she followed them all around the house and even snuggled up to them! Really cute! I think she would enjoy an older sibling...

Madeleine's Toddler Class!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:18:00 +0000

Today was Madeleine's 1st day in her toddler class! Madeleine and I are taking this class together through a local community college. Parent and child go to class together. During our 2-hour class, there's a period set aside for Parent Education. Every other week I am with half the parents who meet with the parent education instructor for discussion and support while the other parents are with the children and their teachers. Then the next week, my group will be with the children while the other half goes for parent education.

Here's is our "1st day of school" picture...I had to do it!

Every morning Madeleine watches out the window for the school bus to pick up the neighborhood kids...here she is seeing it drive up the street. Oh boy!

Now pointing and telling mommy, "bus, bus".

Madeleine's favorite part of the class today was the sensory table! She loved playing with the colored rice and scooping and pouring and scooping and pouring and...

Learning her shapes!

She also liked walking the dog. They actually had a few other stuffed animal dogs with a string tied around the neck for a leash and she loved it! It reminds her of walking Lucky around the house. I think I'll have to do this at home...such a simple toy!

And here is my awesome find from craigslist - a push tricycle for $10! After class we played outside for awhile! She had lots of fun today!

Potty Training!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff & Angela Fowler) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:49:00 +0000

We're going to try and start some potty training! Madeleine has been showing some signs she is ready so we thought, why not. We bought her two potty books yesterday and I read them to her while she was in the bath and then I got her out and put her on the potty and she went pee! I doubt it's going to be that easy but we're off to a good start!