Two Years Ago today, our referral

Two years ago today we got the call we had been waiting to get for years telling us about Madison's referral. That call & the little picture that was e-mailed to us after has forever changed our life. We are so blessed to be Maddy's Mommy & Daddy and thank God every day for our daughter. Here is the then & now picture:

Playdate w/Mei Mei

Last Saturday Maddy & I met up with June & Mei Mei at a local community center pool. There was a very nice indoor pool with a fun kids play area. Here are a few photos-

Taking a little drive in the Ice Cream Truck after snacks

2 1/2 Years Old Today

So hard to believe that this beautiful young lady:

was ever this small:

Happy 1/2 Birthday Baby Girl!!!

Meeting Kai Lan

Today Maddy & I ventured out to the Mall of America (or 'The Mall to The America' as Maddy calls it) for Toddler Tuesday. It was a special day because one of her favorite cartoons were featured there- Kai Lan from the show Ni Hao Kai Lan on Nick Jr. (http://www.nickjr.com/shows/ni-hao-kai-lan/index.jhtml)

They had a character dressed up as Kai Lan & the young lady that does the voice of Kai Lan also came out for a while & read a story to the kids. Maddy wasn't quite sure what to think of the big full life Kai Lan, but she did give her a hug.

Some of the other Red Thread kids came & many were decked out in their Kai Lan wear. We also got to meet one of the newest additions to the group, Olivia.

One of the best moments of the day was when we were walking back to the car & the young lady who does Kai Lan (Jade-Lianna) was walking around with her mom & a friend and they came up to Maddy and asked her if she enjoyed the show and how old she was. It was a fun day, here are some pictures:

Giving Kai Lan a hug

Coloring with OO

Miss C & mom checking out the craft


Jade-Lianna reading a story

Red Thread Lake Party pictures

We got together at someone's house a couple of week's ago with our Red Thread Friends. One of the families live on Forest Lake & graciously opened their home to us. Even though it was a little cold for water activities that day, we all still had a really fun time. Some of the girls didn't mind the cold at all & still braved swimming.

Our attempt at a group shot

The twins w/mom & dad

Maddy just wading here (evetually she got in up to her chest)

Captain Heather

Matt & I w/our sleeping beauty

Potty Training

Well, we've been working on potty training around our house lately w/about 50-75% success on any given day. The key thing is she is starting to know when she has to go (unless of course we are in the middle of something really fun & distracting). We have promised her a 'big girl bed' (toddler bed) once she has completely said goodbye to her pull-ups. She gets that & seems excited but we're thinking it may be a little while yet.

I love this photo of Maddy & Bri (Maddy's travel group sister) from our agency's picinic a couple of weeks ago:

Hope, Olivia & Maddy at the picnic

Maddy & Bri playing peek-a-boo

And now it's July

I can hardly believe that it's already July 15th! We spent last week at Yellow Lake with our extended family and had a good time. The down fall is that Maddy is such a sponge that she picks up on every little word (including a few 'choice' ones if you catch me drift: ). It was fun to see the cousins play (& fight) together. I am hoping to put a sile show together, but here are a few highlights:


We had a cake to celebrate Grandma's belate birthday

Eating brownie mix with Tori & Uncle Adam

Auntie Erica & Tori

Roasting hot dogs on the 4th