My little red head!!!

I cannot believe how big little Murphy is getting. He is trying so hard to walk... taking about 2 steps and just sitting on his bumb! I have started getting lazy and just dishing out a little food on the bar and letting him have a "free for all." He likes his Independence. This was after Mac and Cheese... he was filthy... I wish I could have taken a picture of the surrounding area because it was MMMMMEEEESSSSSYYYYY! So... I stripped him and stuck him in the sink.

He loves his "sink bathes." I also enjoy them because it gives me the time to clean up while he is splish splashin' in the sink! I thought this picture was funny... he just sat and watched the water drain... it kinda looks like he is playing with himself but oh no.... not one of my boys... he is simply trying to catch the water before it gets ALL the way down the drain!

Here is a big boy picture in his big boy pjs (thanks Carrie). I have been putting a few of Mays and Gwire's pjs on him and strangely they fit!! I took all 3 of them to the doc this week and both the boys (Mays and Gwy) weighed 29 lbs and Murphy came in at 22. I wonder how long it will be before he catches up. How awesome... 3 boys in the same size!

Is it true??? Could my little Mayser FINALLY be going potty on his own??? NOT A FLIPPIN CHANCE!!! I think he might poop in his pants until he is old enough to wear depends! He is a stink!!! Want's NOTHING to do with it!!! Even tried the infamous potty watch... hates to wear it! I guess we will put the singin potty chair away for awhile until he puts his game face on and gets serious!!!

I really never thought I would be the "scenic" type but I love the colors in the sky. I wish I had a kick A camera that could really capture the beauty but for now this will do... this is from the back porch. I LOVED the pink!!!

Last but not least.... finished the wall in the formal dining... are you ready:

Clock - Rod Works Clearance $10

Vase - Family Dollar $2

Candle Holders - Christmas Items at Roberts 90% off $1.90 and $2.40

Shelf - Roberts 50% off - painted it myself $8

Candle Sconces - Rod Works Clearance $3.50 each

Valentines "Stuff" - Roberts 35% off - Thinking the total was about $12 (or maybe a couple $s more)

So for all of you laughing because you know how stinkin cheap I am... I feel like I did a pretty good job!!!

That one candle is a little crooked now that I look at it on the picture. I will go fix it right this moment! Oh ya, I did buy some of my fun little beady stuff in RED to put around the candles!!! I am a dork but crazy enough... I am not shopping for shoes or clothes any longer... as Eric would say I am now into "**** for the Walls!!!" Good night... or good morning! Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Let's Try that Again!!!

Ok - I am an idiot! Thanks for the couple of you that have already commented but after I went back to look at your suggestions Rachel I realized my slideshow was on shuffle and I didn't have them numbered (thanks Cyrena)!! Ok... we are good now... like I said please help me on this. I have these pics all set out and I really can't pick between like 10 of them!!! Thanks to all of you!!!

Preview!!!

So I got the pictures back! I couldn't be happier... except she did look a little chilly in a few of the pictures!!! Now is where I need all your help!! Please look closely and give me your top 3 choices... I will put my favorites on tomorrow and then start getting opinions from everyone else what pictures to put on her baptism table!!! Having 1 girl is oooooooohhhhh so FUN!!!

A Post Without Pictures?

Of course not... but almost!!! Once again it's early am and I almost thought I would post without pictures because.... I only had taken 2 pictures this week and that was of Macee this morning. My camera was WAYYYY (like 2 seconds) in the kitchen and who wanted to exert the energy to go get it? But since I love pictures SOOOO much I decided I would add a little more than just my princess. Macee will be turning 8 next Saturday (the 31st). Wow... for those of you who know me the big "baptism" day is very bitter sweet. This is such a huge milestone in my kiddos life and I always second guess myself wondering if I have given her all the proper guidance and tools to be "on her own" in the decision making process. This girl is a sweetheart and she will be A O K!!! Don't get me wrong... it's the greatest day... it's just one of those days as a mother you say to yourself, "are you kidding me... they are really that old?" Anyway, I am sure I will get into further detail about the big day soon but... we did a little photo shoot with her this morning at 7:30 am over in a field by Timpenogas Temple. I cannot wait to get pictures back and post. She looked gorgeous and what a trooper.... the last few mornings it's been like 10 degrees when taking kids to school. Macee said she was so lucky this morning because it was 33 degrees!!! We woke early and did a little "up-do" and off we went. I just snapped a couple shots before we left... so here is a very "non-professional" sneak peak!!!

Thought I would slowly post all the rooms in the house as they get slowly decorated and since I haven't posted a pic of the office here you go... Now you know where I spend 40% of all my days. Whether it be working hours or blogging hours here it be!!! Notice, I didn't try to pick up much!! I still plan on going down and getting on the treadmill (as long as I am in bed by 2 am right) and that is why my shoes are on top of the desk!!! Sorry - I was being lazy! This is actually one of my favorite things about the house. For all you who were ever lucky enough to visit my old office you understand. I was in a room in the basement with ALL our families dressers lined up along the walls! My computer in a corner and that was it!!! This is like "big-time" for me!!! HEHE!!!
Flower on the wall and filing cabinets!! BTW - this is the brown office you all so fabulously helped pick out! Remember.. I was deciding between Brown and Red. I LOVE this color!!!
Had to get a close up on what I could say might be my favorite decoration in the house. I purchased this from Rod Works (of course) 6 months before we moved in. It is Rod Iron and just awesome... I think anyway!

Last but not least.. these pictures may bore you but they are a request of a sister in law that I adore!!! Hopefully between the 2 pics you can get an idea on the casing and base right?

So tomorrow is Friday and I head to Fruit Heights in the morning for an appointment.... where the heck is Fruit Heights Utah? Just Kidding... I do know where it is at but not thrilled about the trip. Oh well.. I will go where they want me to go... We have a pretty lax weekend.. maybe we will get our freezers moved over so I can cook some real food! We have 2 deep freezers still in the garage at our other place. It's just been a lame excuse for Cafe Rio once a week, Taco Tuesday and Pizza! Have a good one y'all!!!

More Pictures

So... another week has come and gone at the Madsens. Thank goodness to Carrie, who loves her kids enough to take a camera to their athletic events. It's not that I forget to bring it... I just know between fighting with Mays and Murphy to keep them on my lap and out of trouble I wouldn't get very good "shots." So... thanks Carrie, I stole these pictures off her blog. Maddux is now in his 2nd week of Jr Jazz. He and his dad have mandatory practice out in the garage daily. Eric doesn't make it mandatory.... Maddux does. Our ceilings are super high in the garage and it goes back really deep so Mick got a new hoop for Christmas and it is the "Hot Spot" for not only my boys but for friends also!!! Maddux is a ball hog. I am not sure that comes from being young or a Madsen!!! He is so fun to watch. I need to get a video of his defense... he's pretty intense!!! This is his buddy Jaxon aka Wacky!!! I seriously love watching Wack pick up his dribble and then just look around.... everywhere for Maddux. It's so stinking cute. Too bad his friend Maddog doesn't look for him... he just looks straight for the basket. We finally told him for every time he shoots he has to pass... he didn't listen all to well!!! I loved this picture of Wacky. These little boys think they are so COOL!!! It's finally their time in the spotlight!!!

This is my pretty little girl with an earring. My boys thought it was hilarious to put this little stick-on earring on Murphy's ear!!! He didn't seem to mind at all!!

I was able to go on a field trip with Macee. They went to the Discovery Gateway Museum. VERY COOL place for all you moms who are brave enough to venture out with your kids. You probably all know about it cuz it's so cool. I am totally taking my boys there. They would think that was the coolest place ever! Anyway, this is Macee being the next anchor for channel 5 (our channel of choice BTW)!

Couldn't forget the picture of the guy holding the tarantula!! My boys have been begging for my camera all week to see the "pider"! They will be so sad to find the pic has been moved to the computer tomorrow!! I asked Macee to give it a kiss so I could take a picture and she just wasn't feeling up to it I guess!

Okay... now for some more of my interior decorating!! I am super excited for the latest wall I decorated. These are the full pictures of my kids that are on the side of my blog. I wish you could see the different colors such as ribbon, wreath and bows in more detail because it is totally awesome!!! Not bragging, Shari pretty much helped me out with this one!Here is the pic of the wall around the corner. For any of you in need of a new picture these are AWESOME!!! This was a Christmas gift from me.... to me!!! They used to sell these in Deseret Book for over $400. Have friends that bought them!!! These were at Costco for $199!! And to top that off, you get the personalization for free. I know you can't read it but in the top right corner it reads, "The Madsen Family sealed 1999." and it's a pic of the Bountiful temple. My friend told me the other day that Deseret Book will now match their price. It's an American Fork based company and they have more than temple pics. I'll have to get their website and post it!!! This one is HUGE!!! You can get them in any size!Last but not least, a brief glimpse of the laundry room after a day of laundry. Have you ever seen a stack of towels that high? I am in love with my red, bead board cabinets but am slowly finding out I will never be able to really show them off because they will be piled with laundry from here until eternity!!!

I forgot to put these videos of what Murph was up to lately! He is getting so close to just taking off by himself! Plus he has a fabulous cheering section. Sorry they are so dark... bummer... cuz he has the cutest little excited face! So proud to be a big boy!

This is hilarious. I don't know if it's because his knees are getting sore or if it's because the tile is cold but he refuses to use his knees on the tile so it's this little 4 legged walk. We laugh at him daily. I'm sure it will be within the week he decides it's easier to just stand and walk!

Do I see a new Career.... NOT!!!

So here are a few random pictures from the past week... My mom and sister came up this weekend to visit and it was so great to have company. With everything my kids have going we really have a hard time getting down to Cleveland these days so it was nice for them to come stay the night with us! This is Macee and Kira. Macee misses her so much being so far away. They had a good time being "twins" to go watch their other cute cousin Kimarree at a cheer competition on Saturday.

Here is a picture of cute Chloe and Murphy. She is half his size. She is such a cute baby!!! They have their matching Minnie and Mickey pj's on that Grandma gave them for Christmas!Here is a cute picture of my boys. Eric and I had to run to the storage unit and empty it completely out tonight and Mick got to babysit for a half hour. What an awesome kid he is!!!
I was able to put a few things on my walls this last weekend. I decided I was done waiting for someone to come tell me where to put things so I ventured into interior design all by my lonely. After a few trips to Rod Works, Scrooge and Marleys and Roberts I think I did a pretty good job. My friend, Carrie, went with my last week and gave me some awesome ideas... thank you, thank you!!! So here is a peak. Don't think I am a dork.. I have never been good at decorating... Give me a bat and a ball and we are good... not flowers and rods!!! Here is my plates... never once have I displayed this kind of thing so I could be WAAAAAY off. If anyone has any great ideas please share....

I have become obsessed with this cool stuff they have at Rod Works. See the little beady stuff around the balls... $6.95 for a big long string of it. I have dressed up candles, lamps, you name it!!! This is the centerpiece on our table in the formal dining room!This is my entry way... got a killer deal on these Rod Mirrors at.. of course... Rod Works! I bought 2 more and we hung them vertically in our master. They are gorgeous (I think!).Closer look at the "stuff" on the table! Notice the candle with the cute beady stuff. LOVE IT!!!
I got this vase for $6 at the Rod Works Clearance center! I am in love with this place. Good thing it's only open 2 days a week! I will post more later. I was taking these pictures at 1 am while the fam was sleeping. Eric would be a little disgruntled hearing the flash go off this early in the am!!!And last but not least.... my blog makeover. Thanks for all of you who have said you loved it but I owe Erin all the credit. She is awesome!!! Go to her sight and put in for her giveaway... you could get a new, fresh look also! Goodnight (or Good Morning!!!)

I'm Baaaack!

Yes, it's 2 am but I seriously can't find time these days to blog so here I am.... San Diego was fabulous... spent too much time at airports being delayed on the way home but it was better than the snow that we came home to. It usually takes us 35 minutes from our house to the airport. We flew in and returned home 3 hours later due to the awesome road conditions... Here are a few more pics...

This is the view we had from the room.. without the fog... much better! The day we left the sun was shining and it was gorgeous!!!

I tried to take a couple pics of the pool area. It was on the top of the 40 foot hotel and it was simply amazing. I haven't been to many luxurious places so I was to say the least, amazed!!! The workout room was attached and when I would run every day it had windows that overlooked the entire city... all round...

Last but not least, me and my wonderful hubby! This was our last night in San Diego. We drove out to the island and went to Hotel Del Coronado... simply amazing. It was dark and we took a stroll along the beach which was just gorgeous. Unfortunately we didn't make it in the light which I would love to do some day! Thanks so much for the little vaca babe!

Next time you look my blog will have a facelift!! As a "happy Bday" gift to myself... I had my friend, Erin create a totally new look!!! Erin is the sister to Josh, who is daddy to Baby Mac who I think we all grew to love in 2008! I can't wait for you all to see!!! As soon as it's "done" I will post her button for you to check out her work!!! She is having a giveaway so ya'all need to check it out! Until then...

Day #2 in San Diego

I am doing a play by play so my kids can get on and check out the happenings of the parents in San Diego... that and it's the best journal that I keep. So after my hot lunch date we walked around Seaport Village for a few hours... they have a bunch of fun shops (that are a little pricey) and just beautiful scenery. Since none of my kiddos are here... I had this cute little model, Abby, be in my pictures. I always think pictures are much funner when there are people in them... so Abby is Dave and Shelby Carter's little girl. He is the pitching coach at UV and they are down here also!! She was more than willing to strike a pose for me here and there!

This is just one shot of all the gorgeous flowers down here! Love them!Again, apologize for the pictures being sideways... I promise... I tried to switch them!This was a poinsettia tree. It was ginormous!!! I wanted our towers to be in the background. We were staying in the Harbor Tower which was on the right!! We were 3 levels from the very top (my kids will think that awesome!)This is the restaurant we ate at for dinner. It was gorgeous... kinda like floating on the water. Wish I could say the food was good but that would be a negative!This is Shelby, Abby and Cache feeding the ducks. It was pretty hilarious... after a few minutes we had every duck, pigeon and seagull waiting for us to drop a crumb... What started as a fun game turned into the haunting of the seagulls... One flew over Shelby's head and caught her hair!!!

I am having a great time... Slept until 10 again today and then ordered room service for breakfast so I am still in my PJ's. I do miss my kids a bunch. I know... I always look so forward to a weekend away and then start missing them after the first day. I think we have decided that the older 2 can maybe start taking a few trips with us. It's just so expensive so they will have to take turns. Sound good Mick and Macee? Thinking I better kick it in the butt if I am going to be ready for lunch! We plan on going over to Coronado Island tonight (unsure how to spell). Talk to you later!

Sunny San Diego

So December was crazy... My birthday rolled around and I thought it would just come and go... little did I know Eric had other plans... he surprised me a few weeks ago and told me he booked me a ticket to San Diego to go to the coaching convention with him. I have to be honest... my first thoughts were... what will I do with the kids... what about work... Well... he also had that all worked out. He talked to his parents and they have the kids and he booked our tickets around work.

What an awesome guy.... so here I am in San Diego... it's beautiful... this is the view that I have from the 30th floor in the Hyatt. It's gorgeous. We are right next to the Harbor. It's amazing. I guess the only negative is that it's usually hovering in the 75 - 80's here but not this week. We will be lucky to see 65 and it's really foggy (hence the pictures) but I guess it's better than the snow and 20's in Utah right?

Eric will be in the convention most of the day. He will take breaks and come get me for lunch but I have to tell ya... I slept until 10 am today... it was great... no babies waking me up in the middle of the night. I kept the curtains closed and think I could have slept all day. I decided this would be a great start to the new year goal of loosing some lbs so after I got up I went down to the gym (which is amazing!!!) Now I am just waiting for my hot lunch date. I promised Macee that I would put a couple pictures so she can take a peak. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to turn this picture (I am on Eric's labtop) but I thought the boys would like the cool picture of the "pirate ship." Anyway, the plans for the rest of the weekend... sleep... massage... workout.... eat seafood.... and oh ya.... sleep! Thanks hon!