Okay - sometimes life just gets in the way

I did not realize that it had been so long since my last post. AND not even any pictures either! Let's see. Madison is still in her big girl bed. She is still refusing to use the potty but she is getting there. Now she will just shut herself in the bathroom and sit on her potty. nothing yet, but perhaps soon...

my birthday was good. Hurricane Ike was not, but we did get to have our friends come and visit for the weekend so that was fun. My friend Lauren (who I have blogged about before!!) and her husband brought their 11 week old baby up and he is adorable! And fun to play with!

these are pictures of Madison and Jaxson, her bestest friend!

I'm a big girl now

Well, we finally did it. We put the toddler rail on Madison's bed... Nap time yesterday was really hard; I finally got her to fall asleep in the floor on a mat. She went down for bed though like a champion! I got her to bed about 8pm and she didn't even try to come out of the room until about 6am this morning! So I think that is a good sign. I took pictures, but I will have to post them tomorrow. I didn't bring them with me today!

More party pictures

Birthday Party Pictures!

Happy Birthday to Madison

We had a great party! On Wednesday we just had Rob, myself and her and the presents that she received from us and family (thank you thank you!!) and then on Sunday we had a HUGE blow out. Tons of food, tons of people, a moon-walk with a slide, a big tent outside for everyone to sit under (since I had it a 3pm, it was about 102 outside! )



Babyhead sleeping in on her birthday!




Madison enjoying scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast. She isn't too keen on the hot sauce yet, but this AM she ate a lot of it!





Mommy and me! HUGS!




Cupcake after dinner "mommy I want blue!"


Birthday presents!

10 foot tomato and the cuteness

Morning hair! (On Madison, not Rob!!) then the same morning with the pretty new dress that she LOVED and the flower for her hair that she LOVED even more. Every morning she wants a bow in her hair now... !!! (What did I START!!)

So, these garden pictures were taken this AM, so it seems really dark but it isn't - it was just the flash.

The first two are the jalepenos. The first are the ones in our garden, they are about 3-4 feet tall. The second picture are the ones in our courtyard. They were planted at the same time from the same set of plants. Just to show how important the soil and drainage is!!

The third Picture is the famous tomato plants. There are at least 10 feet tall. THERE you have all seen the proof!! The last one is to show a cross section. In the netting with the green are strawberries. There are the tomoatoes right next to them. Second row back are beans and next to that are the tomatillos. (about 5-6 feet tall) then last row are tomatoes also... :)

Happy Brithday America

Well, we are off to Marfa Texas this weekend. It is about a 9 hour drive. Madison is staying with Rob's mom. Not 9 hour drive with a 2 year old, thank you very much...

As I think about the 4th of July, I start thinking about all the great memories I have as a child, participating in the neighborhood parade and the great carnival that followed it. Growing up it was probably my most favorite holiday because I got to ride my bike in the morning with all the decorations I put on it, then I got to eat hot dogs, and then we would always go to my grandma and grandpas on the lake and swim, bar-b-que (with the best turkey, brats and baked beans you can imagine!!!) and then at night we would go out on the lake and watch the fireworks. What I wouldn't give for those days again.

Now I actually cringe when I think of America... And without getting into crazy politics here, I just wish that I could experience now the joy I felt as a child, the thrill of being in the greatest country in the world, and I can't. At least not at this moment.

Maybe it was childhood memories. I am sure there were just as many issues than with America then as there are now. But now that I am an adult, I am sad because so far, my child has not been able to experience the JOY I had on the Fourth of July. Maybe one day soon she will. I hope. We can't even have fireworks because there has been a burn ban in effect because it just won't rain... Maybe some of the water in Wisconsin can come down here. :)

Well, That seems like a really depressing post. It isn't supposed to be. It was just some thoughts...

Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July. And may all the Great Forces (Whatever or whoever they are) look over this wonderful country and help us get back on the right track....