Thanksgiving

We went to Colorado for Thanksgiving. My Dad came up to watch some football the Saturday before Thanksgiving and then Madison and I went back with him. Ross met us down on the 26th. It was nice to spend a week there before we went back. 

 We were lucky to see my mom and John Spencer before they took off to Utah. John was excited to hold Madison. She was a lot better behaved this trip than most. She let everyone hold her at least for a few seconds.

 Madison was excited for her first Thanksgiving. I just love this outfit that Melodie got her. It is adorable. I love her cheesy little smile.

Ross and I celebrated our anniversary while we were down there. We went out to lunch and spent all day together. That was pretty nice because Ross has been so busy with school. It was disappointing to come back to reality and finals.

 The weather was so beautiful. We were able to go on walks a lot (something we can't really do in Laramie right now, especially today.) Rachel and Emma spent a lot of time outside playing basketball and jumping rope. Ross was outside teaching Rachel bounce passes and such. It was pretty cute. He was a good teacher.

 Oddly enough, Madison doesn't really like fruit. I really think she's crazy, but she eats vegetables like a champ. My dad was acting like her high chair. It was fun to spend so much time with them. Madison also enjoyed my dad and Melodie. She really loved seeing Rachel. She would just stare at her and really admire her. It was sweet.

 We saw Mary, Jason, Wyatt, Moriah, and Josie on Friday. Josie is two weeks younger than Madison. She is a lot bigger that Madison. They are both pretty cute. They had fun playing together until Madison turned and kicked Josie in the face twice. Sorry Josie.

 Moriah was cute. For some reason I just really enjoyed teasing her. I kept holding her blanket and pretending to sleep with it. She would stomp away with a mad look on her face. It was pretty cute. She is a fun girl.

 Madison and Josie. It looks like Madison is about to reach for Josie's nose.

 Sisters and cousins. Mary and Josie, Me and Madison

When we got home, we decided to pull all of our Christmas stuff out. We had these mini stockings and decided to put them on Madison. She was not thrilled about it, but Ross and I enjoyed it. She looked pretty cute in those stockings!

 Really nothing is new here. Ross has been busy working on school and I have been sewing, taking care of Madison and cooking a lot. Braidy and I went to Cheyenne last week to do some Christmas shopping. I got a lot done! Madison came with us and she was very well behaved. It was amazing. I'm glad to know I will have a little shopping buddy! It was nice to get out of Laramie for an afternoon.

 Ross and Madison love to cuddle! I think that Madison looks a lot like Ross in this picture.

 My dad and Melodie sent out an awesome package with Halloween candy and some outfits for Madison! I love this outfit. It really is too cute! I love the way she is smiling too.

 Madison and Ross

I have been pulling out some 6-9 month clothes even though they are a little big. I love this outfit that my mom gave her. It had the cutest little cheetah print pants. She looked so cute in it.

I am excited for Thanksgiving it will be nice to go home for a little bit.

Six Month Madison!

It is amazing to me how fast the past 6 months have gone! It really seemed like yesterday when I woke Ross up in the middle of the night and told him that I thought I was in labor. Madison is a little bundle of joy. She is so happy and smiley. She doesn't weigh very much, but she is tall. We keep joking that her new cousin Bronson will weigh more than her in 2 months. I am grateful for each day we get to spend together.

 I was folding laundry last week and Madison was just hanging out. I love that she is crossing her legs.

 Lately, when Madison gets really excited she will open her mouth like this and squeal. I was very glad I caught it on camera.

 Here is another picture of it.

 I am so glad that Madison is happy pretty much all of the time. That makes my life so much easier. 

JanSTAR#1

This weekend we said the actual last goodbye to Janet since she is leaving for her mission tomorrow. It seems like for the past year Janet has just been a really big part of our lives. We have done a lot with her. It has been so much fun to get to know her. 

Here are a bunch of great Janet Davidson memories! 

 Janet was the first person that we told that we were going to have a baby! She was very excited! She was also the first person to come and see Madison. She had physical therapy in Cody she came by after.

 Ross took Emma and Janet around to show them their classes and help them get their ID cards at BYU-Idaho. Our year together in Rexburg was really great. We were sad that Janet hurt her knee, but she really worked hard to get better.

 Janet and Diana are really a great team. They tease each other such but they are both just a blast to be around. I am glad that I have them both as sister-in-laws.

 I took this picture this summer while we were in Burlington. I really wanted to test out my new camera so Janet posed with Dwight. Her and I both really enjoy taking pictures. I am excited to see the pictures that she'll bring home from her mission.

 Ross and Todd were trying to jump the lawn mower, so Janet and I just were mocking them. This is a really great picture of Janet!

 Her and Todd both really loved the bed in our room in Burlington. It was actually kind of weird.

 JanSTAR#1 is Janet's Wii character name. It has become a really great nickname for her. She is pretty good at Just Dance but I won't tell her that because she'll let all of us hear about it.

 How could you not love that face? (I have lots of pictures of it, but this one was my favorite.)

 Janet loves Madison. She always likes to hold her even when she is pretty fussy.

Janet is a great example for me. She has had a strong desire to serve. When she hurt her knee she was so disappointed that she would have to wait to go on her mission, but she kept working hard so that she would be able to go. She wasn't going to give up! I'm glad we could spend so much time together in Rexburg and in Burlington. She will be a wonderful missionary. 

We love you Janet! We are so proud of you!

This weekend was awesome! It all started out by that cute little Bronson joining the family! He sure is sweet! After Bronson came, Braidy's mom Carol and her sister Abby and her daughter Andee hurried out to Laramie. It was very nice to see them! I hadn't seen them since Stella's baby blessing. Then on Saturday afternoon Anne, Janet and Diana came down! They were in Casper for the State Volleyball tournament. 

Sadly, I only took 2 pictures this whole weekend. It turned out that they both were of Diana.

 Diana and Bronson

 I wanted to get a cute picture of Diana and Madison while she was wearing her Burlington Husky shirt. Madison always really likes Diana. I think that it is because they are kind of similar. On Monday, Madison stuck her toes in her mouth. Ross always talks about how Diana used to do that. Ross told Madison to enjoy the flexibility because it won't last long!

Bronson Pete Davidson

We woke up this morning to great news! We had another nephew. It seems like the streak of girls finally ended Bronson Pete Davidson. 

I was watching Brad and Stella while Braidy and Phillip went in. It was quite an experience. They are wonderful kids. Three kids is a handful. Especially since Madison is so needy. It has been fun though. I love hearing Brad's funny stories and Stella loves to sit on my lap. It makes me feel great. 

After Brad's preschool Ross and I took all the kiddos to meet Bronson! Brad and Stella were excited and Madison was just happy to be held. The hospital seemed nice. I was jealous that Braidy got the big 20 oz. cup. When I had Madison I only got a 12 oz. one.

 Madison just enjoying being a big kid since she isn't the littlest baby anymore. That didn't last long on either side. 12 days in my family and 6 months in Ross'

 Phillip with all of the kids. Bradford is such a cheeser.

 Cute little Bronson. I think he does look a lot like Bradford did when he was a baby.

 Stella loves babies and was so excited to be holding Bronson's feet. It was really sweet.

Phillip and Stella holding Bronson. I think both Stella and Bradford will be great older siblings to Bronson! We are glad that he made it here safely!

Trick-or-Treating

Today has been a wonderful day! We found out early this afternoon that Braidy would be induced about 3p.m. I really couldn't believe that it was actually happening. I brought Stella over here earlier so Braidy wouldn't have to wake her up and bring her over when she left. Before Stella fell asleep she was crying and saying "Mommy, Help me!" over and over for about 10 minutes. It really was hilarious to me. I did feel bad but it was so funny. 

Then Braidy brought Bradford over and we played until Stella and Madison woke up. Then we all got the Halloween costumes on so we could go Trick-or-Treating! We decided to go to the Trunk-or-Treat, a trick-or-treating activity at the Doctor's office and UW campus. Hanna and Alanna, Ross' cousins, took us all around. It was a blast. Crazy to have three kids but it was fun. 

Stella was a witch, Bradford was a firefighter and Madison was a ladybug. We went to the trunk-or-treat, but it was freezing. Next year I think I will plan Madison's costume with a coat better. We left pretty quickly after we got there because all of us were extremely cold.

 At the trunk-or-treat there was a firetruck! We told Brad to get in so we could get a picture. I was so impressed by his costume. It looked exactly like the coats that they had in the backseat. He was so funny during it. He was very shy. One guy asked him, "What do you say?" He said "Please." The guy said "all you have to say is Trick-or-Treat." He kind of whispered it. It sure was cute. Props to Braidy for teaching him good manners!

We saw this giant pink elephant at the student union. I asked Brad if he wanted his picture because I know how much he loves elephants. Whenever  Madison wears an outfit with elephants he is thrilled! He likes elephants because they don't eat people.

I am so excited that Phillip and Braidy are having this baby! I am glad that I can spend so much time with Brad and Stella while she is in the hospital. I can't wait to meet this little guy!

Pumpkin Carving

Last night we had family home evening with Phillip, Braidy, Brad and Stella. It was lots of fun. We carved the pumpkins that Carol and Pete sent out to us. It was fun and now we are all ready for Halloween. 

Braidy also made some delicious cookies. That was a highlight for me and Stella looked like she enjoyed them also. 

 In each picture someone was looking away so this one ended up being the best.

 Ross and Madison with the pumpkin that I carved.

 Phillip was working very hard to make this perfect! It ended up looking good.

 

The finished pumpkin.

Looks like this new baby is going to be quite the basketball player!

Ross and Brad putting the animal faces from Pete and Susan. That was the best way to decorate a pumpkin! I loved it.

 Ross and Brad

 The finished pumpkins.

 Brad loves to hold Madison's hand. At the basketball game this week, Brad gave Madison a few kisses and she opened right up for them. It was kind of gross, but cute.

 Stella wanted to sit on Ross' lap. That is a rare occasion so we made sure to get a few pictures.

Stella enjoying her cookie.

 Madison was doing a few stretches earlier. Ross wanted me to get a picture so that he could tell Diana that Madison is more flexible than her.

Madison and I bothering Ross while he is trying to study.