Maddix and Carter's summer splashing events included playing on the Slip & Slide (which Maddix only would run down, never knowing how to slide on his tummy), playing with Fireman Elmo toy, sliding and splashing in the huge backyard water park we borrowed for my activity day girls, going to the pool at the rec center in Vernal, and last but not least going boating at Flaming Gorge with my dear friend Natalie and the whole Rawlings bunch...which I heart. They are so much fun to be around!

1/2 Birthday...My Favorite Things About Maddix Lately

Today is Maddix's 1/2 birthday...so he's 3 1/2. Normally I don't celebrate this, which we didn't do much but I had free store credit at Staple's that had to be used up so I bought him an artist smock and water paints. And I always feel a little bad because he gets the bulk of his presents for the year in the winter and wanted him to have something fun to look forward to in the summer. Of course I sang "Happy Half Birthday" song. And it was so cute because he kept telling me I needed to make him a 'half cake'. What a smartie...half a cake for half a birthday! Anyway this is my little tribute to him because he's just really cracking me up lately. So here's some of my favorite Maddix quirk's recently. He loves the movie "Toy Story" and and also loves to jump off of things lately. So when he jumps he says, "to infinity and beyond" just like Buzz does before he flies. Also he's been so inquisitive recently. I'll tell him something we need to do for example...make the beds. He'll ask why and I'll say something like because we don't use them in the day and it just looks nice. He again ask why and then he'll say, "tell me all about it." I'm not sure where he picked that one up, but it's so cute. Then since it's been the 4th of July and lots of fireworks going on...his new thing is to make me sit down and watch his fireworks show. He'll throw toys up into the air or down the stairs. He'll tell me exactly where I have to sit. But my favorite is how he says the Grand Finale...he'll say,"Look, I've got a really cool granny folly!" Next on the list is his new favorite cartoon...Hong Kong Phooey. He found it while staying up late and watching TV with Grandma Pam. He says it "Honk Honk Phooey" and he'll sing a little song about him being a crazy dancer. It's this old school 1970's cartoon and it is quite entertaining. Luckily we found out it comes on at 9:00 am so he can watch it then. And finally the last thing was when we were shopping with Grandma Pam. She has this habit of buying things in multiples when she finds a good deal. A lot of times she'll buy at least 6 of something and have it on hand for wedding center pieces. Well, she was doing this and Maddix was in her cart. He told her, "Grandma, you don't need that many." Then a little later he said, "Most people only buy one!" How does he know that? He's probably been listening to his Dad and Grandpa Larry! Maddix is such a joy to have around. He is truly one of my best friends and I love him to death.

P.S. His hair is long on purpose. I'm trying to grow it out for that shaggy look. But it's at that I really need a haircut phase...hopefully we'll be over that phase soon!

HAFB Air Show

Hill Air Force Base had their Air Show this year. My Dad got some VIP tickets to the rehearsal show on Friday, so Maddix and I went with Grandpa Lou, Brenda, Ian, Jayme, Derek, and Betty. We had a lot of fun. Maddix especially liked checking out the F-16's and the Monster truck. It was really loud and Maddix could not keep his ear plugs in for the life of him. So, towards the end he got a little antsy to get out of there because it was so loud. Then he fell asleep in Uncle Derek's arms for quite a while. All in all it was a good day and something different to see and do. I vaguely remember going as a little kid, but hadn't been in many years. So, we'll wait for a few more years and hopefully get to go again.

Declared....Potty Trained!!!

Hallelujah!! I'm officially declaring Maddix potty trained. I can't believe the day has finally come. I think there are three things that attributed to his success. They are Miralax (my personal miracle in a jar), Batman, and this little bubble gum machine. The first obstacle that we conquered was with Miralax Stool Softener...need I say more. This just really helped soften things up and get rid of the pain for Maddix. The second was the coveted Batman underwear. He got them from Santa Clause and was told he couldn't wear them until he knew how to go pooh-pooh in the potty because he couldn't ever get Batman dirty. Well one day I was out of underwear for Maddix and had to hurry and throw the Batman underwear on. I told him he better not have any accidents in these because Batman would get really mad at him and not be his friend anymore. So, he took this very seriously. Finally I had to find a toy or something I knew he would really want. He loves gum, so a gumball machine seemed fitting. This set on top of our fridge for quite a while because Maddix was told he had to earn this by learning how to go pooh in the potty, not in a diaper anymore. Well, one blessed day, the day he first wore his special Batman underwear, Maddix did the deed all on his own. I was on the telephone and he went in the bathroom all by himself and took care of business. He then called me in and told me he went. I was expecting a really little one, like in the past...not the case this time!! I was so happy and he got lots of praise, kisses, and treats! Then about two weeks more of this with no accidents, he was awarded his gumball machine. I am so proud of Maddix for accomplishing this feat! He really tried hard and it paid off. Way to go Maddix!

Easter Festivities!

This year for Easter, we had a lot of fun. Maddix and his favorite new friend Stetson kicked off the festivities by having a little Easter party the week before. They helped decorate sugar cookies, color some eggs, and had an Easter egg hunt. Then for the weekend, we went out to the Wasatch front to spend some time with my family. We had a family get together at Uncle Bob and Aunt Julie's house in Layton. Maddix got to participate in another Easter egg hunt with my cousin Shawn's son, Collin and his other cousin Kaitlyn. It was a lot of fun to see this side of the family. It had been about three years since I'd been to one of these get-togethers and they hadn't really ever seen the kids. It was good times visiting with aunts and uncles, cousins, etc. Then on Easter Sunday we spent the day with Nana Connie and my brothers and their families. We had a nice Easter dinner and had a squirt gun fight, blew bubbles, opened more gifts, etc. And finally we stopped by Grandpa Lou's house to visit for a while before we headed back. It was nice to spend time with the whole family. Then on our way back we made our usual drive-by in the Mt. Green area looking at all the available lots and wishing there were some way we could afford to live there...(sigh) maybe some day!

"Peeky Doo"

This is Pinky Dinky Doo or as Maddix calls her, "Peeky Doo". This is a show that comes on Noggin at 1:00 pm which is when Maddix has quiet time. He watches this show and really enjoys it. Pinky makes up stories and will have a word of the day that correlates with the story such as gargantuan, gigantic, unique, nervous, etc. Maddix has started to use these words lately. He'll say gargantuan and knows it means really big. However, he uses nervous and doesn't really know what it means. It cracks me up. For example, I'll ask him to do something or stop doing something and if he doesn't want to he'll say, "Mom, I can't I getting nervous!" I really get a kick out of this. It just goes to show how much they really are picking up on. Another one of my favorite things he's been saying lately is "stylin" (aka styling). He is into combing my hair and putting clips in it. He'll say, "Mom I comb your hair and make you stylin." Or finally when he gets my hair clipped up, he'll say that it looks like a "cow's tail." Thanks a lot buddy!

Maddix's 3rd Birthday...

Maddix turned 3 years old on Saturday, the 24th. He had a Shrek party with all his 'girlfriends' and family. It was the first party where we invited his little friends, which the vast majority happens to be girls. In fact his boy buddies were missing in action on this one, so Maddix had all the little ladies to himself. He wasn't complaining. The kids played Pin the Tail on the Donkey and Swamp Hop (a Shrek rendition of musical chairs). All the kids were three except for Dakota who is in first grade. Needless to say the little ones were new to these games and Dakota was the champ for both. Maddix made out well in the gift department. He got a big remote control Ford truck, a train track set, The Jungle Book movie, some books and misc vehicles, dinosaurs, a sweeper vacuum (yes, he's always wanted a toy one so grandma Pam and grandpa Larry got him a real push sweeper/vacuum so he can really help and can sort of clean up his own messes too!!), and of course some more Play-Doh. He had a 'Shrektacular' time and got spoiled by everyone!

Christmas '08

We had a nice Christmas this year, as every year. We are very blessed and lucky to have great family, friends, and each other. It was especially fun this year because Maddix could understand the concept of baby Jesus being born and Santa Clause. We enjoyed watching Christmas movies this holiday season. We especailly love 'The Grinch' with Jim Carrey and watched it several times. Maddix was able to visit with Santa at our ward party. He was a little shy and didn't really talk. He was mostly interested in getting the candy cane, which has been one of his very favorite treats since last Christmas. We made lots of treats and probably gained a few unwanted pounds too. Maddix enjoyed opening his presents and everyone else's as well. From Santa he received a V-Tech educational video game system, a parking garage, Play Dough set, and some miscellaneous items like Curious George band-aids. He got a lot more toys from grandmas and grandpas. He was very spoiled. Carter got a few infant toys too which he is starting to enjoy now that he's trying to sit up. Maddix and Carter weren't the only ones who got spoiled...Ben and I did as well. We got a nice Canon Rebel camera to take better pictures with and also Rock Band. Rock Band was a lot of fun to play on Christmas day with all the relatives. We stayed in Roosevelt this year and celebrated with Ben's family. However, Nana Connie came out and stayed with us as well. Then a few days later, we went and saw my Dad and brother's and their families. We had a fun time with all our family and enjoyed a wonderful holiday season.

Sleddin' Tradition...

Last year Maddix and I started the Christmas Eve Day tradition of going sledding at the park by our house. Last year, Maddix was a little apprehensive about going down the hills. But this year he kept wanted to go again and again. We enlisted Dad this year who was a good sport to come even though he was having some serious back pain. It was a lot of fun and it's now our yearly activity to pass the hours more quickly until Santa comes. Plus it helps to tucker the kids out, always a plus!