Tribute to my Daddy!!!

So this is a pic of my dad. He told me if I started putting pictures of him on the internet he would kick my ***! But I thought since I had this cute picture I would put in a little comment on my dad. For those of you who know me you know that I am a "daddy's girl." I love my dad to death! I always said I wanted to marry someone just like my dad. As different as my dad and Eric are, they are so much the same in so many ways. First of all they both have a quick whit and are the biggest smart a's ever!!! Second of all, they could both tease someone to the point of tears. I was down in Cleveland this last weekend and all he would do is look at my big belly and laugh! But on the softer side, they have both provided for me so wonderfully and loved me so much.

My dad is my hero. He has worked in the coalmines since he was 18! My mom has never had to work a day in her life. In fact, when we were in Emery County he used to tell her that as long we we were working her only job was to take care of the grandkids, which she so gladly did (bless her heart). My dad is very thick skinned and puts on a great front but he would do anything for anybody!

I can count on a phone call from my dad every day around 5 or 6. It never fails that he will call to check and see how our day went and talk to the kids. The one regret I have about leaving Cleveland was the fact that my kids (especially my Mick) was SOOOOOO close to their grandpa and got to see him daily! He would wait to hear my dad's diesel truck coming down the road (home from work) and would be out the door in a second waiting for him on his doorstep. (We lived 2 houses down).

I know I will never talk my dad into moving to the "**ity city," as he so kindly calls it, but I am glad he has softened a little and comes to visit once in a while! He will probably never read this but if so "I love you dad!!!"

Time for Hair Cuts!!!

Ok - so the other night was hair cutting night. I will put in a little sales pitch for our hair stylist!! She is mobile - Huge plus for a big family and she does late hours - another huge plus! And she is extremely reasonable! We have grown to love our hair lady. We met her through Macee's dance studio. She is a single mother that works her tail off to provide for her kiddos and we love the flexibility she has. So... if any of you are looking for a hair stylist let me know!!!

So she thinks McGwire is like the best 2 year old in the world. Holy Cow!!! When is he going to show his true colors? Mays was the only one that didn't get their hair cut that evening. His curls are too cute to get rid of!

Hair Cut Slide!

So I am down in Cleveland, UT visiting my parents since Eric is gone for the weekend. I was doing a few new things with the blog (lower right) and searching through the pictures on my mom's computer for the kids. I came across this picture of my 3 oldest the week after Maddux was blessed. I loved this picture and I know it's old but wanted to share it. Wow how time flies! I have really been overwhelmed with feelings and thoughts of thankfulness the last few months. I look at my life and my lovely little family and wonder how I could deserve all these wonderful things. Ok - so I know I deserve them HAHA... No but seriously, my kids and my husband are my everything and I am sooooooo blessed to have them!

Baby Update

Quick update! The baby is only measuring 1 week earlier than expected. Although.... his head is measuring 4 weeks early. That must be a Grandpa Pete thing right? So we are good to go. He already weighs 4 lbs 13 oz which is crazy!! Am I on my way to another 8 lber????

I loved this video of Gwire. I think he is such a smart 2 year old! (okay - almost 3). And the scuba-steve goggles. He is such a goof-ball!! He likes to wear these each time he bathes! Which I think is like 2 - 3 times a day! You may have to go pause my play-list to hear his cute song!

Early Baby???

So, just a short quick post. I have been on perma-hold with Blue Cross so thought I would write something really quick. Went to the doc yesterday and I am measuring 4 weeks further along. He got worried since I am going to Florida for a week next week and asked that I go get an ultrasound. I have an appt for 1 today to go see how much the baby is measuring and weighing in at. A part of me would obviously love an early delivery but it HAS to be after we get back form Florida!!! What am I saying, sure things will run as usuall. It would be nice if they moved me up one week since Eric is home the entire week and weekend prior to the 4th. I guess they changed the schedule and he won't be out of town that weekend!!! I will let you all know!!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

So I am soooooo wondering what's up with the date on my computer. It is Friday evening not Saturday. Oh well.... Anyway, I love V-Day!!! The kids woke up to get their little gifts and then we made pink heart pancakes. My kids are hilarious. Simple things like this seriously make my kids day. It's so funny what a little food coloring will do!!! I went to breakfast with Eric and then later that night my sister watched the kids and Eric and I set out for a night on the town. The past few years I have been more prepared and did the reservation thing.

This year I did schedule us a couples massage but figured dinner wouldn't be a problem. Now those of you that have gone out without reservations on Valentines are just laughing at me because everywhere we went was a..... 3 hour wait!! Are you kidding me?????

So we had a nice romantic dinner at Bajio. The funniest thing is there wasn't a place to sit so we almost got to do our romantic dinner in the car! I hovered for a second on a cute little couple and ended up getting one at the last minute! (Don't you have hoverers (prob not a word)).

Anyway, following dinner we did go get an awesome massage and returned home late. Thanks Janet for watching the kids! I love my husband. He is seriously the best dad and husband in the entire world. I know his sisters and his mom are reading this thinking I really am insane but... I am a spoiled brat when it comes to my spouse. I am so grateful for him and his commitment to our family. I could go on and on but I won't! Happy V-Day to everyone!!

Dancing Queen

So I wish I could figure out how to move the posts but I will put in a little about Macee's competition and then you can look at Mick and then actually see the pics of Macee's fun and eventful weekend. We traveled to Ogden with the fam this last weekend to go to Macee's first dance competition of the season. We required all the boys to go because (Mick) Macee is a very supportive sister and we feel she needs to be supported also. They boys watched one dance and then went to uncle Tyler's to play. I was pleased to be able and sit back and enjoy the rest of the competition without the little boys (we had Mays) there, but wanted to kick Mick's butt for not coming back! Oh well, Macee hasn't really mentioned it so I guess I shouldn't push it.

The good news.... These girls were awesome! I will have to video in Florida where they are outside and it's not totally dark because it is amazing to see these little girls shake it like they do. They took first place with "Platinum" (highest you can receive) awards on each and every dance! Our 7 year old little girls also took the top honor of scoring the highest in the entire division. Okay, so not to brag but there were like 100 numbers and these girls started from age 7 and went up in age division to 15. This means our little 7 year olds scored higher than any of the older ones. They took top prize. It was so awesome. Macee was in heaven! I am a proud mommy! Can't wait for the Florida trip! Mays was a pretty good boy but love, love, love the pic of him falling asleep standing up. I could feel him get heavier and heavier on my feet and I finally asked Eric's mom and she said he was sleeping. Made her take the precious photo. Macee's grandma Vic, aunt Em, and aunt Angie were able to come see her (and her aunt Janet - sorry Janet, forget since Kira is on the team). She thought that was awesome. Thanks for coming gals!!!

Let's Play Some BASKETBALL!!!

Although I didn't get great pictures here a couple shots of the awesome Lebron James Jr. Just Kidding. It has been fun watching Mick progress. He started out a little raw at the first of the season and we are really starting to see some good things. He is a hard nosed ball player that plays with everything. I think this alone will make him successful in anything he does. He is so fun to go and watch. They have kinda been stomping on teams which can get a little boring but hey, they are 9. The more they score the more fun they have right?

Dancing Queen

Let It Snow.... Let It Snow....

I don't need to say alot about the snow we received over the weekend. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? In the northern end of the valley, many church wards cancelled. Not ours... but we were pushing it to get to church at 1... because the kids could not get enough of the amazing snowfall outside. We have a snowhill in our front yard. It was fun to watch them play outside. I, of course, had to stay inside because the baby was sleeping and it was cold as could be HAHA! But Eric shoveled for hours and had fun with the kids outside.

I have to say, I am really glad that we had church. Testimony meeting was pretty awesome with the recent passing of the prophet the spirit was amazingly strong. After that I vowed to not go back until after the new baby is 3 months old. I hate this age that Mays is in. Not old enough for Nursery but no way will he sit still during Sunday School and RS!!! I walked the halls for 2 hours.... Any suggestions????

The Hinckley Challenge

I am sure many of you have heard about the President Hinckley challenge. I am totally excited about this because please do not think I am aweful but I have never read the Book of Mormom front to back. I know that is so aweful. I have started several thousand times and it has always ended up in failure. The ONLY REASON I am posting this on my blog is because I decided that I cannot fail in front of family and friends. The Madsen "competitive" side of me could not possibly let y'all know that once again I did not attain this goal so.... Starting today I have accepted the challenge and will be recording my progress on the blog. I am actually totally looking forward to this because it is really something that I need to work on in my life. For the rest of you that would like to accept this challenge you can log on to: www.hinckleychallenge.com. I think this is one of the best ways we could ever honor our wonderful past Prophet! Good Luck! I know I will need it because as you all know I am soooo not a reader.

I feel like all I have posted is stuff on Macee's birthday. It was like a week long holiday I think. Today was the official day. 7 am, 7 years ago Macee Jo was born. I am blessed to have her. We didn't do anything extravegent for her B-day. I checked her out of school early and she and I went and had pedicures. This is a treat for Macee and okay, I also enjoy. Her aunt Em, Grandma Vic and cousins Peighton Sue and Trevor came down from Syracuse to spend some time. We didn't have very good communication and we thought they would be down after Macee's dance got over at 6:30. We were planning on taking them out to dinner, at Tepanyaki (sorry gals you DID miss out). They had left early hoping to get here early and beat the storm home. So I hadn't even had the chance to get ready (yes, still in sweats when they arrived). It actually worked out awesome. I didn't have to get the boys ready to go out, saved prob like $100 bucks, didn't have to get myself ready to go out, didn't have to fight 3 little boys at dinner AND I got my shrimp salad from Bajio (major craving I have been having this pregnancy). Yup, we ordered in. It was great. I have learned to really love that lately. Ya know, the ordering in. Even from Applebees and Chilis. So much easier than taking 5 kids to dinner!
Anyway, we had a good time. They messed up the cake so the one in the picture was a freebie we decided to do so dad could get home to see the "real" cake.

My family will all be here this weekend. We are moving my sister and her daughters to an appt. I am so not a big fan of moving and this is where I might be able to actually use the pregnant, 3 little boy excuse. Ya know, not much help when I have to chase after 3 little boys. Just kidding. She know I will do whatever to help. The sad thing is she is as pregnant as I so who am I to use that excuse right? Needless to say it will be a long weekend. I love weekends when the fam can get all together but I am thinking this might not be one of those enjoyful ones. Mick does have a ballgame Sat morning! YAY!!! and Macee.... her first competition is next weekend. CANNOT wait! She has been putting in more than 10 hours a week for these competitions. I know that may not sound like alot but for a 6 year old, oops... I mean 7 year old it is! Hope everyone has a fun, enjoyable and safe SuperBowl Weekend!!