Happy Birthday, Grampa Dave!

Swinging

Maddy swinging with her baby.

Party at Nana's

We went to Nana Mary's house last Sunday to celebrate Uncle Matt's birthday. Maddy had fun with all her aunties, uncles, and Nana.

Zoo

We spent one of our last days of summer by visiting the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison on Wednesday. Madelyn loved seeing all the animals, especially the giraffe. She picked it to ride on the carousal with Mama. Maddy also loved playing on the playground and going down the slide with Daddy. We're really going to miss our fun summer days!

Big Girl Bed

Well, we finally did it...after a year in the cage or jail or whatever you want to call the crib with the tent over it (see Jail Bird)...we have put Madelyn in a twin bed. She is so excited...loves her new pink sheets, comforter, and all. Nap time today was her first time in it and it took her about an hour to get everything organized and ready for sleep. But surprisingly, she stays in it. She looks so tiny in it...the bed is going to gobble her up! Now, if she could only get rid of the nuk and master the potty...one thing at a time!

Working

Madelyn has really been into her imaginative play lately...shopping with her purse, keys, cell phone, and shopping cart, taking her babies for walks in the stroller, and now working at her desk. We picked up this desk at a neighbor's garage sale yesterday. We're not really in to garage sales, but it seems whenever we're out walking we tend to stop and browse, especially if we eye up something Maddy could use. She has been busy, busy ever since we got the desk. At lunchtime, she said "I'm working," and didn't want to stop. But she did take a second to give me a big, cheesy grin for this picture!

Four Generations

My Grandpa McCabe, Grandma McCabe, Dad, Madelyn, and me.

Dubuque Visit

On Sunday afternoon we traveled to Dubuque to visit my Grandma McCabe and Aunt Angie for their birthdays. Maddy had fun playing with my cousin Ryan's daughter Ruby. After our visit we went up and down the Fourth Street Elevator in Dubuque. Maddy called it a "choo-choo train." Grampa Dave, my uncle Dan, and cousin Hayley joined us. My aunt Debbie watched from below and Maddy kept saying "Hayley's Mommy!" I think she was worried that we left her behind.

Tractor Ride

We spent Saturday night at my Grandma K's house. On Sunday after church Madelyn went for a tractor ride with Daddy and her Great-Uncle Joe. We also watched Great-Uncle Tom (whom she insists on calling Thomas) rake hay on the Little B.

McDonald Reunion

On Saturday, we had the McDonald Reunion in Platteville. Maddy had so much fun playing with Lauren, Kirsten, and Trevor. Here is a picture of Grandma K and her siblings. It was great to see them all together.

South Dakota

Last week we enjoyed a trip out to the Black Hills of South Dakota. We visited the Corn Palace, Wall Drug, the Badlands, Custer State Park, and of course Mount Rushmore. Madelyn traveled really well and loved swimming at the hotel each evening. Nick's favorite part were all the buffaloes in Custer. Sarah enjoyed sharing the area she visited so many times as a child with her family. I will try to get a link on here for more of our pictures.