2008 Christmas Pictures

We can't believe that the Holiday season is already upon us. We decided to go back to Sears and have Christmas pictures taken. Madelyn is already talking about Santa. This is going to be a fun Christmas!!

Madelyn and Papa

Grandma and Papa Freidenberger came to visit for a weekend. While they were here Mommy and Daddy weren't good enough, Grandma and Papa were the only ones that could take Madelyn to go potty, hold her and put her to bed. She took a nap and woke up all upset and wanted Mommy (but Grandma and Mommy were at the quilt store) but then wanted to rock with Papa. They both ended up taking a little nap together.

Halloween 2008

Madelyn made the cutest little pumpkin for Halloween. She loved getting candy! Madelyn was checking out sweet little Avenly. When asked if she wanted a little baby at our house she says "yes."

Playing inside the bump-and-jump

We went to our church for Halloween and Madelyn got to play games to win candy.

Michael and Madelyn painted Mommy's belly to look like a Jack-O-Lantern.

Getting ready to carve our pumpkins.

Madelyn wasn't too sure about sticking her hand inside the pumpkin to get out the seeds. She would only go wrist deep.

Our two Jack-O-Lanterns. Madelyn picked out the eyes, nose and mouth for Mommy to carve and Daddy got very creative and did Mickey Mouse.

Potty training

We didn't want two in diapers and Melinda's goal was to get Madelyn potty trained by 2, so we researched and found a three day potty training program. Madelyn had it down by the end of the second day. She even stays dry at night! We skipped all training pants and pull-ups and just wear big girl panties 24-7. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of her!

About the only downfall of being potty trained is that half of Madelyn's pants won't stay up. She has a serious case of plumber butt! She can literally walk right out of her pants!

To keep from going stir crazy by being in the house for a solid three days we came up with some different activities. This day (day #2) we baked Halloween cookies. Madelyn gets very excited every time the mixer comes out because she knows that she gets to lick the beater.

Hanging out in her big girl panties. The first day we went through 17 pairs of panties, 8 on the second day, and only 3 on the third day!

Avon

Since it is "off season" up in the Avon/Vail area, we decided to get away for a night. We stayed at the brand new Westin in Avon. It was a very nice hotel and had only been open for two weeks. We decided that this was probably the nicest place we've ever stayed. We rented a two bedroom unit and it was very nice. We even got upgraded and ended up with the biggest balcony the place had to offer. We wished we would have been able to stay more than one night. We also had the chance to eat dinner at a restaurant that is one of the top rated places in Vail.

Daddy and Madelyn checking out the river just behind the hotel Madelyn playing in the tepee at the kids club inside the Westin.

The view from our balcony was beautiful! There was even a little snow on the top of the mountain.

Madelyn showing us how big the room was

Just because you're on vacation doesn't mean you can't get put in time-out

A view of the lap pool, the three hot tubs, and the river (taken from our balcony)

Our balcony was huge!! We could have had a big party!!

There was plenty of glassware in the well stocked kitchen for a party

The living room

Pumpkin Patch

Madelyn loved pumpkins this year and was very excited to go to the pumpkin patch and pick out a couple of pumpkins.

Looking cute and posing for a picture next to a decoration Sitting on one pumpkin and leaning against another

Taking a wagon ride with one of the pumpkins we picked out

Madelyn's first trip to Ohio

We went to Ohio October 9-13 for Madelyn's first trip back to where Daddy was raised. This was also Madelyn's first time to meet Grandpa Marks.

The weather was beautiful the entire time and the leaves were gorgeous! Grandma and Grandpa Marks with Madelyn Madelyn and Daddy walking with Uncle Sonny to check out the creek at Great Grandfather Brown's property (where Daddy played when he was a little boy)

Madelyn walking with Daddy across the field at Great Grandfather's.

Three cousins: Abby, Madelyn and Jacob

Uncle Tony, Aunt Missy, Jacob, Abby, Michael, Madelyn, and Melinda

Great Uncle Floyd, Great Aunt Joann, Melinda, Madelyn, Michael, Grandpa Marks and Grandma Marks

Madelyn often sleeps with her baby over her head but we loved how Madelyn had a new face

Madelyn riding her new tricycle that Grandpa and Grandma Marks had for her

Madelyn liked playing with Grandpa Marks' poker game. As she played with it she would say "winning, winning"

Peanut's Ultrasound

Melinda is now 22 weeks pregnant and feeling great. We were able to have the 20-week ultrasound performed on Sept. 22. Everything looks good so far. This baby is a mover, much more than Madelyn was. We love the surprise factor, but it was very obvious, We are having a.... (scroll down for the answer)

Melinda's tummy is getting bigger and bigger Peanut's (the baby's nickname) foot A profile shot of little Peanut Melinda knew the ultrasound tech from a Kindermusik class she did a little 4-D for us. This is Peanut sucking on its hand. You can see the eyes, nose, lips, hand, and chin. (She told us the best time for 4-D is between 26-28 weeks, after the baby has put on a little fat but before it is too squished) Even the baby gave us a thumb's up sign!

So it was very obvious that We are having a BABY!!!! (not a puppy or kitten) We love the surprise factor too much. Before the tech even had a chance to ask Melinda blurted out that we didn't want to know the baby's sex, so she didn't even scan that area of the baby.

Orlando Vacation

We had the opportunity to take a family vacation to Orlando for a week in September. We stayed at the Sheraton Vistana Villages which was a very nice resort. We ended up with two, one-bedroom units that were hooked together so Madelyn had her very own unit (what a lucky kid). We loved Orlando and look forward to going back when Madelyn and her younger sibling are a little older.

Melinda and Madelyn swinging at our resort. On the afternoon of the first day in Orlando we drove to Canaveral Beach and played in the water and sand for a couple hours. Madelyn loved jumping waves, playing in the sand, and rubbing sand on Mommy and Daddy's backs. Feeling the water and wet sand on our toes.

Madelyn and Mommy having fun in the water Madelyn was pointing to all the waves coming in A day at the beach will tire a poor girl out. She fell asleep on the way back to Orlando, mid-snacking as seen by the cracker still in hand.

The first ride in Orlando for Madelyn was the carousel at SeaWorld. She loved it so much that she cried when the ride stopped and we had to get off. She hasn't been using sign language since she took off talking a few months ago, but when the ride would stop she would sign "more" and "please". Madelyn and Michael on the Swishy Fishies. Melinda and Madelyn on the Jazzie Jellies. The Marks family at the Makahiki Luau at SeaWorld. We all enjoyed the show and Madelyn loved the fire dancers. Madelyn and Michael riding the Walt Disney World Railroad.

Madelyn loved riding the horses on Cinderella's Golden Carousel. Luckily it didn't have a line so we were able to ride it multiple times. Madelyn holding hands with her new friend. Madelyn generally sleeps only in her crib or in her car seat, but she was so exhausted that she actually fell asleep in her stroller and took a 1.5 hour nap while we walked around the park. Taking a picture with Dumbo (we didn't actually ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant because it always had a long line and no fast pass option). Madelyn and Mommy kicking back on the Liberty Belle Riverboat.

Pooh was the only character we met. While standing in line, Madelyn was very excited and said she was going to say "hi" to him and give him a "hug", but when we actually got up to him she wanted to see him, but only from the comfort of mom's arms. Watching the Spectromagic parade from Daddy's shoulders. Playing in the water at our resort. Madelyn loved the sharks at Sea World! Madelyn next to a tiger at Rafiki's Planet Watch at Animal Kingdom.

Vacationing is so much fun and I'm such a ham! Madelyn checking out the hippo along the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail in Africa at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Melinda and Madelyn on the TriceraTop Spin in DinoLand at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Madelyn loved the TriceraTop Spin so much that she got to go again, but this time with Daddy. Melinda and Madelyn spinning in the teacups at the Mad Tea Party.

Thanks to Grandma Freidenberger, Madelyn loves suckers. She got to have one the second day at the Magic Kingdom. She was covered with blue and pink from ear to ear by the time we took it away from her so we could ride on a ride. Next to the Lego people in Downtown Disney. Madelyn loved the chocolate mousse cheesecake at the House of Blues Restaurant in Downtown Disney. Madelyn hanging out at home with Mickey and Minnie in her Minnie Mouse ears personalized with her name on the back. Back at home and all wearing our new Mickey shirts.