Family Vacation and September update

Wow where to begin! We finally were able to take our annual family vacation and we had so much fun! It was a much needed break from all the craziness in our lives. (However Joe has now vowed that after a week of trying to get caught up at work we are never taking a vacation again... good thing we enjoyed this one.) We went to Texas again but this year we took a detour from Austin and went to Corpus Christi for 3 days and stopped in San Antonio on the way back. I was amazed at the great deals we were able to get on hotels and rental cars, unfortunently we found out why everything was such a good deal as soon as we could see the beach, Hurricane season...! We drove into a huge rain storm, it was comparable to a whiteout bilzzard for anyone who lives in Colorado or Utah. Fortunently by the time we checked into the hotel the sun had come out and we enjoyed showing Madi her first look at the ocean and exploring downtown Corpus Christi. I'm glad we got there when we did because that was pretty much our only day of sun the whole weekend, a hurricane made landfall in Mexico and took all the wind with it so we were left with big dark clouds, to quote the weather man 'this weekend is pretty much a soggy mess...' Greatfuly we were in Texas and not Colorado so it was still really warm and we took advantage to still go to the ocean which was beautiful and deserted as well as stop by the Texas State aquarium. We had heard that the aquarium was one of the best and I will have to say that I was a bit disappointed as I think the Denver aquarium has more fish and exhibits but the dolphin show was a lot of fun and Madi was able to see some sea turtles and otters which she wouldn't get to do here! The only downside to the weekend was that they gave us a beautiful room looking out over the pool, which Madi noticed first thing when we got there. Because of the rain we didn't get to go swimming and every time we stopped by the room she would run to the window saying 'ool ool, wim now?' (Pool Pool, swim now?).
On our way back to Austin we stopped in San Antonio to take a look at the Alamo and the River Walk. The Alamo was cool to see and the River Walk was beautiful, I can see why people say to go at Christmas time, I can imagine how cool it looks with all the lights! We were so happy to get out of the buckets of rain and stopped to enjoy some lunch by the river, however while we were eating the rain clouds caught up with us and we ended up walking the couple miles back to the car in the pouring rain. Madi thought it was a lot of fun and we all looked like we had just taken a shower with our cloths on, luckily we were traveling so we were able to change into dry cloths for the trip back to Austin.
In Austin we were able to spend a few days with my sister and her family. We got to see their new house which is beautiful and play with Will. Him and Madi made an instant connection and had so much fun together. They would look for eachother and she would always ask where 'ill was' (Will was). She also taught him how to eat with his fingers instead of his fists and I will say we had a hand in helping him learn to crawl. Madi wanted him to do everything with her and would try her hardest to make him stop crying, she just didn't understand why her wasn't listening to her when she told him to come... Seeing to 2 kids together makes me think that hopefully she will adjust to the new baby and will be a good big sister, it also made me scared to death to have 2 kids but I still have a few months to get over that I guess.
Unfortunently while we were in Austin my Grandma Vee passed away on September 20th. It was a very sad time and while she is greatly missed I know that she is in a better place and is happy. As soon as we got back from Austin, Madi and I headed to Utah for the funeral. We had a great celebration of my Grandma's life and she was burried in one of the most beautiful places, even under the circumstances it was a nice visit with family. Poor Madi had no clue what was going on she just knew that everyone was sad. She is very good at sencing this and is able to give a hug or smile when someone needs it most. One sweet moment was at the gravesite, Madi watched all the men place their flowers on the casket, all of the grandchildren and anyone else was then given the opportunity to take flowers from the bouquets for keeping. Madi carefully selected a red rose and a big pink carnation. She carried them around for awhile smelling and hugging them, she then was very persistant about going up to the casket. Me not understanding her at all was trying to keep her away from the hole so she wouldn't fall and she was getting more and more frustrated with me. She finally broke away, run over to the casket and started to climb. I then picked her up and very carefully she kissed and hugged each of the flowers and lovingly placed them on the casket the way she had seen everyone else do. She then gave a kiss and a wave to the casket, a big huge to her now crying mother and said it was time to go. This little action by her was so sweet and something that she probably won't remember but that I will never forget. While she may not remeber my Grandma, she will always have to great pictures and stories that we tell her. I am so greatful for the time that we were able to spend over the 4th of July and the past year with her and that she was able to get to know Madi. I will never forget my Grandma nor her wonderful spirit, i get a great reminder of her every night when Madi asks me to sing 'chachit choo choo' (Chocolate Choo Choo) a song that my grandma has passed along to all her children and grandchildren.

As for the rest of the month we are just trying to recover from all the traveling and gearing up for the holidays. Madi has decided that she no longer wants to wear diapers because they are for babies and shes big now, so when my mom gets back from Utah we will start potty training. I wasn't planning on doing this so soon but it will be nice to have only 1 kid in diapers :). As for baby updates everything is going well, we will find out what we are having in about 2 weeks and I will post some pics of me as well. Yes I am definently showing!!!
Now that its about 5 and time for Joe to get up maybe i'll try to get some sleep. thank goodness my daughter knows how to sleep in! Enjoy the tons of pictures, I know there are a lot but sometimes a picture is worth more then all the words I can type!

Jen, Will and Madi
She loved that she could put on aunt Jenni's shoes by herself

The best invention! My Ipod touch and headphones loaded with her favorite movies and TV shows! I had no idea when I bought the thing years back that it would soon be taken over by an almost 2 year old who actually knows how to use it.

First steps on the beach and look at the ocean. We didn't think she would like it because she doesn't like to get dirty. Little did we know that she would soon be running into the waves and that maybe we should have put her in her swim suit...

Daddy and Madi in heaven! He was so excited to show her the ocean.

Mommy and madi getting her toes wet for the first time. She was a little scared at first but as soon as she realized that water was warm we couldn't keep her out.

happiness!

Watching the waves

footprints in the sand

look dada, I go peese

weeeeee

hey let me in! (at this point we were still trying to keep her dry because we were headed to dinner)

I love this picture

We gave up keeping her dry and just let her have fun, here I was trying to keep her from running into the water as the waves were coming in. It took her a bit to realize that even though the waves kept leaving they would be back and she didn't need to go catch them.

playing in the 'ig ool' (big pool) as she called it.

when we asked her about the beach, she would clap her hands in excitment and say boom boom, aparently that is what the waves say...

yea! Come get me waves!!

Running into the ocean

after we got back in the car i turned around to get saying no go no go and trying to escape the carseat.

Texas State aquarium

the dolphins otherwise known as sharks to madi

because of the rain we got a really cool underwater dolphin show

she loves all the 'ish' (fish)

the aquarium had cool little tides pools with crabs and stuff you could touch

cute little sea otters

definently not a view you will see from the Denver aquarium

Sea turtle

The USS Lexington, aparently a reall cool battleship tour, however not a good place to take little kids so we didn't go inside.

our last day at the beach. Thats joe looking for seashells

we didn't let the rain stop us from having fun! This time with swim suits for all!

her favorite thing to do was to just sit in the sand and let the water come to her, she even didn't mind getting splashed in the face or covered in sand. This did however start her new phrase of everthing being 'ss-tuck' (stuck) becuase she would get her hands stuck in the sand.

she LOVED having daddy to her self all week

finding seashells

view from our room

she was sad to leave but enjoyed the fun cart ride!

The Alamo

inside the Alamo walls (they wouldn't let you take pictures of any of the cool stuff)

getting bored while daddy read stuff

cool looking tree, that was transplanted as a big tree when the Alamo was built

San Antonio Riverwalk

inside the hotel that has the river running through it, very pretty

baby ducks!!

swimming baby ducks

her favorite thing about the trip? Her 'inderelela' (Cinderella) backpack. She is absolutely crazy about Cinderella and Tinkerbell right now, I think we watched Cinderella about 6 times on this trip and both Tinkerbells on the plane.

They will probably hate me for the pics when they are older... Her and Will taking a bath

She wanted Will to do everything with her, here she was showing him 'wh the pooh' (Winnie the Pooh)

now Will is interested...

mom he's touching it! 'il top!' (Will Stop)

Seriously you can look but you can't touch. If mom won't stop you I will!

This little guy is just too cute!!
William Isaac Rich

Austin did not get the rain we had at the beach so we had fun outside! Only it was WAYYYY hot

She is quite the monkey at the playground

slide

Swings!

Will on the swings

haha 'hi ill!' (Hi Will)

So happy to see Bailee after we got home!

'helping' mommy sweep

Silly face! Here she thinks she just got away with something, she learned how to buckle her stroller.

Madi and her friend Ady. We are so glad that we have friends in the ward that live for close and are so much fun to play with. Madi loves Ady and her big sister 'Kensi' (Mckenisi)

Ady is 2 1/2 and Madi loves to do what she does. Here Ady is teaching her to go through the tunnel at the park.

Ready for our walk to the park. (Side note: I absolutely LOVE my stroller!!!)

Color time! (this little table and chairs is probably one of the best things we have bought)

no they are not being punished, and Heather I promise this is not what I make them do during playdates! They had been playing with Bailee outside and tracked in some grass so Madi went to the closet and get her mop to clean up, Ady thought it looked like fun so they moped the floors for me. :)

Madi loves to take 'bayee alk' (Bailee Walks) at night after dinner with daddy. She usually either is eating apples for dessert or falls asleep (Joe likes to take long walks usually about 3-4 miles). It was great all summer however now it is getting much colder 'brrrrrr' (as Madi calls the cold) So she likes to be bundled up in her blankets for our walks now.

Bailee just wanted a nap in the sun, Madi wanted to take one with her... She loves her dog!!

Best buds