Happy 5th Anniversary!

Tractors!

Madelyn loves tractors! Yesterday she went to Madison for the day with Daddy and Grampa Donnie to Red Power Roundup. Maddy saw and "drove" lots of Internationals! And she got some new "red" clothes. What a thrilling day for her--and Daddy and Grampa, too!

County Fair

We visited the fair this week two times--once with Grammy and another time with Grampa Donnie. Maddy enjoyed the animals a bit more this year and even petted a few. She was very brave! She also sampled some of the yummy fair food--cotton candy and ice cream.

Visiting GGK

Since Nick was at the county fair this week, Madelyn, my mom, and I spent a few days at Grandma K's house like we did last year. Maddy calls her GGK, short for Great-Grandma Kliebenstein. We enjoyed going for golf cart rides, walks, watching the Amish across the road, and checking out the new kittens at the farm. Maddy even had a visit from some of her great aunts and uncles while we were there. We think we're going to make this a yearly visit during the fair!

Blowing bubbles and chatting with GGK.
Nick loves this picture--two of his favorites--

Maddy and an International tractor!

Fishing and Swimming

Sunday we visited Nana on the lake. Uncle Jerry and Alicia were there with their lab Izzie. Maddy calls her Marley (from the movie). Nick did some fishing while Maddy went swimming with Nana.

Fireworks

We watched the fireworks at Grammy's house. Madelyn thought they were great--she kept saying "pretty" and "oooh." When she woke up yesterday morning the first thing she said was, "fireworks at Grammy's." She wanted more!

Sprinkler Fun

Maddy enjoyed running through the sprinkler--she insisted on wearing the floaties!

New Ride

Check out Maddy's new ride--a $20 find at our neighbor's garage sale. She loves going for rides in what she calls the "bike wagon."

Chicago Trip

This week we visited my cousin Deb and her family near Chicago for a few days. Maddy had so much fun playing with Lauren. We ate at Joe's restaurant. It was delicious and stuffed ourselves silly! On Wednesday we went to the Shedd Aquarium. We enjoyed a picnic lunch along Lake Michigan before heading into the Shedd to see all the fish, dolphins, whales, turtles, and other creatures. Thanks for a wonderful time Deb, Joe, and Lauren!

Visiting Great-Grandparents

On our way down to Chicago we stopped to visit Great-Grandma and Grandpa Casey in Eagle. On the way back we visited Great-Grandpa VanAcker and Jean near Whitewater.

Butterfest Parade

Last Saturday, we walked in the Reedsburg Butterfest parade with Nick's FFA group. Maddy enjoyed being in it and watching it once we finished. She got candy, toothpaste, a nuk, and sippy cup! She was in heaven!

Happy Summer!

We are enjoying our first week of summer break. Lots of playtime! Yesterday we got the pool out for the first time this season for Maddy. She still doesn't like to sit down but played a lot longer than last summer! And she even got into splashing Mama and Daddy. It was a hot day so it felt great! And check it out--Maddy's hair is getting longer--we can even put a pony tail or pig tails in it!

Happy Birthday, Nana!

Happy Birthday, Grammy!

Four Generations

Grammy, Great-Grandma K (GG), Mama, and Madelyn

Memorial Weekend

My cousin Deb and her daughter Lauren, who is six months younger than Maddy, came from Chicago to stay with us for the Memorial Day weekend. We had a wonderful time playing outside, going to the park, giving the girls baths, eating, and visiting Oscher's Park, a little zoo in Baraboo. My mom, Grandma K., Aunt Jean, Uncle Russ, Aunt Jan, and Uncle Gene visited too. We all had fun watching the little girls play together. There were a few squabbles over toys, but for the most part the girls played nicely. Wish they lived closer!

Our Little Gardener

Happy Birthday, Grampa Donnie!

A picture of Grampa Donnie with Baby Madelyn (one of my favorites)!

Madelyn's Two Year Pictures

Bear Mat

During Madelyn's first year, we took a picture of her on this bear mat on every 16th of the month. I finally had her lay down on it the other day to show how much she has grown from one month to two years! Amazing!