RESPECT the performance

Madison's dance recital was last weekend. They danced to Respect. They didn't know they were getting the gloves until the showed up for the recital. If you watch the video you'll see Madison has come a long way since the last performance. She did a really great job and knew almost the entire dance! Please forgive the video, first time using a new device :)

Halloween!

For Halloween we tried to get Madison to dress as something besides a princess because she always dresses up as a princess when we play dress-up. I also tried to get her to dress up as Winnie the Pooh because I was going to have Parker be Pooh's Pot of Hunny. But when I asked what she really, really really wanted to be for Halloween, she said Princess Aurora. So Princess Aurora it is.
The day started with a parade and Halloween songs at school. That night we dressed Parker in his costume for all of 15 minutes to get some pictures. Then Dad put Parker to bed and manned the door while I took Madison trick-or-treating. We walked around the neighborhood with Sophia and Daniel. Or I should say the kids ran from house to house and Lana (Sophia and Daniel's mom) and I tried to keep up.

Princess Aurora and Pooh's Pot of Hunny.

Madison's Class: Standing - Maya, Carter, Makayla, Nathan B, Drew, Nathan L, Madison. Sitting - Jack, Benjamin, Austin. Missing - Ben and Brady

Madison with Sophia and Daniel

Punkmen

Right at the last minute we made it to the Pumpkin Patch, the day before Halloween :) We went way out south to an actual patch. It looked pretty picked over, but when we started looking closer we found some great ones. Then we carved them that night. Just in time :)
Also, Madison calls them Punkmen. I tried to correct her one time and Rick told me to just to let her call them that for now. He's right. She'll say it right next year and I'll be sad.

Cousin Time

The weekend before Halloween Renny and Ella came for a visit. Saturday morning during Parker's nap, Madison, Ella, Renny and Rick went to Deanna Rose one last time before it closed for the winter. Ella is just now getting old enough that Madison thinks its fun to play with her. Madison is also modeling the scarf that Aunt Renny made for Luke's Harry Potter birthday party.

Parker - 6 months

Parker has been very busy this month. Right before his 6th month birthday he decided to start rolling from his back to his tummy, although he doesn't like to stay on his tummy long. And he is starting to talk more. His favorite is "Boom, Boom". He started sitting up if there is something to support him. He is becoming very aware of his surroundings. He will reach for Sadie, any plates on the table if he is in your lab, Madison's hair, zippers, glasses, hats...basically anything he shouldn't.
At his doctor's appt they said he weighed 17lbs, 4oz (44%) and was 26.5 inches long (51%). And he has a big head. 44.5 cm (69%). But that he is growing perfectly.

Look at those cheeks!

So sweet

Hats on Parade

A couple of weeks before Halloween Maddie's school had a Hat Parade. Parker loved watching all the kids play their musical instruments. And Madison had to wear her red shirt to match her Minnie Ears. Oh and the boy with the Mickey Ears is her boyfriend, Benjamin. How cute!

Madison's first climbing trip

In mid October we were all supposed to go to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch with the Braleys and the Bennetts. But Parker wasn't quite ready for the trip. So Rick and Madison hitched a ride with the Braleys which Madison thought was the coolest thing ever. They spent the weekend rock climbing and playing with the boys. Madison liked the climbing until about half way up, and then she was done. Pretty good for her first time.

Maddie and Alex

Caroline and Chris