Kindergarten Here She Comes

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Noel

Kayli started Kindergarten last Thursday and she absolutely LOVES it!! She still gets excited to go every morning. Yesterday after school she told me that her teacher, Mrs. Bono, is the best teacher ever, it was so cute. I got sick with the stomach flu the night before Kindergarten started and Pete had to be in Tucson that day, so thankfully my Mom was able to come help me get the kids (and myself) going that morning and get Kayli off to school. Thanks Mom!!

Before we headed out the door

At School, just outside the playground

With Goddess

With Eli (they are in separate classrooms, but right across the hall and they see each other at recess)

“Bye Mom”

I didn’t shed a tear, I dont think I had the energy to and I knew she would be fine and do GREAT! I cannot believe we have a Kindergartener, I am so proud of her.

Caiden Turns 3

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Noel

I cannot believe that our “baby brother” is 3 years old! Where does the time go? Caiden was really sick on his birthday so sadly we didn’t do a thing to actually celebrate it for a week. He didn’t want it to be his birthday, anytime anyone called or mentioned it was his birthday he got mad and told them it wasn’t his birthday. It was pretty sad, but I guess he just wasn’t in the mood to turn 3! He didn’t even have any interest in opening the presents that came for him that day.

A week later when he was feeling much better we had a combined family party with his cousin Kayla who turned 8. Everyone had a lot of fun. This year I decided to make Caiden a themed cake which I had not done for him before because I worried he would be the kid that freaks out when you cut up his cake and eat it. He was pretty apprehensive about eating Rocket (from The Little Einsteins) at first, but all day we talked about how it was a cake and not a toy and that it would be yummy and he ended up digging right in with his fork once the candles were out.

The cake Aftermath

We did have one little mishap with the candle I bought. For some strange reason as soon as I put it on top of the cake Caiden stood up in his chair leaned over the cake and took a big bite out of the candle. I had no idea that is what he was doing, but we all got a good laugh out of it. He wasnt too pleased with the waxy taste, but he survived.

Caiden is such a sweet little guy and we feel blessed to have him in our family. He loves to give kisses and hugs and will talk to anyone and everyone. He is one of those kids that would go home with anyone, which totally makes me nervous and I watch him like a hawk no matter where we are. He loves to go to church and see his teacher and his friends in nursery. He gets along really well with other kids and is usually the peacemaker, he will give up whatever toy the other kids want. He still loves to sleep in Kayli’s bed at night and I often find them cuddled up together, he is such a cuddler. He has no fear when it comes to climbing, playing and even swimming. He is a brave little guy and rarely cries when he falls down or gets hurt, he asks for a quick kiss and then says “All better, thanks Mom.” He is such a talker, especially when he is tired, he will talk your ear off trying to keep himself awake. He is growing up way too fast! We love you Caiden!

Gateway Discovery Museum

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Noel

While we were in Utah for the Madsen Family Reunion we spent a day in Salt Lake at the Discovery Museum. The kids have never really been to a museum like this and boy did they LOVE it. There was so much to do and we could have spent an entire day there without them getting bored. They had a blast with their cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

The ball area was so much fun, Caiden’s favorite part was the tubes that sucked the balls up and then you could watch the balls travel to the pit where they dropped down for more fun. It was hard to get him pass the balls (its right up front) and into the museum to see other things. We got stuck at the balls on our way out too.

Kayli and Logan were such buddies

Cant go wrong with water and kids

The Mini Market was a HIT! WE had to wait for like 20 minutes for a shopping cart and apron because all of the kids love this little area.

Climbing and Building

Out on the roof was a helicopter that the kids loved

So much fun! I hear our “hands on” museum here in AZ isn’t great, but we may just have to check it out and see for ourselves!

This Is The Place

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Noel

This place is so much more than a monument. When I went to the U I lived just minutes from it for years and never once went and checked it out. There is actually a lot to do there. We spent the afternoon there and the kids had a lot of fun. They loved riding the horses, riding the train around the park, playing on the ship, panning for gold, and riding the small train around the lake. The view of the Valley from way up there was breathtaking. I couldn’t help but think of what the Pioneers must have felt as they looked out over the beautiful land.

4th of July Parade

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Noel

While we were in Utah I ran my first 5K at the Provo Freedom Festival. I couldn’t convince anyone to run it with me unfortunately, but we ran along the parade route where thousands of people had camped out over night and thousands more were setting up their spot for the parade. Pete, Gramdma Madsen, and the kids dropped me off at registration and then went to find a spot on the parade route while I went to run my race. They were hoping to see me run by, but they were just a few blocks north of where my race headed south so they missed me. There were plenty of other people cheering the runners on though and it was a good time. I am used to running on pretty flat, low sea level land, so the hills and the altitude affected me a bit, but I finished the race and swore Id never do another one. We will see! =)

After my race I met up with the kids, Grandma, and Pete on the parade route and we sat and watched the parade. I think it was the first time the kids have been to a parade, and they both enjoyed it.

“Awesome Mom”

Yup, those are the LDS Missionaries. I kept saying “Only in Provo”.

4th of July Fun

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Noel

We were in Utah for the 4th of July and got to see so many fireworks. On the 2nd we went with all of the Madsens to the lawn just below the Provo temple to watch the fireworks from the “Stadium of Fire” annual event at the BYU stadium. We spent a few hours eating pizza, licorice, and ice cream, playing games, running around with the kids and hanging out and chatting with the family. It was a nice relaxing evening that ended with a great fireworks show. The kids had so much fun running around in the cooler weather playing with all of their cousins. They dont get to see each other very often so it was fun to watch them run around and play together.

We all had a lot of fun holding Ryan, he is such a cute boy

Im not sure how much of the fireworks Caiden actually watched, every time I looked over he was glow stick sword fighting with Spencer and Leanne,

Im still trying to erase the memory of the drive out of Provo and back to Jeff and Beth’s in Pleasant Grove. It was a MESS!! Let’s just say I could have walked faster. But Im sure if we are ever in town for the holiday again we will find ourselves back on the lawn watching those fireworks. We will just stay and hang out for a while afterwards inside of rushing to the car to “beat the traffic” which we learned was impossible to do.

Utah Fun

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Noel

We headed to Utah in July for a week of cooler weather and fun at the Madsen Family Reunion. It was so much fun to have all of Pete’s siblings and parents together. We did a lot of fun activities and checked out a lot of fun places. The kids loved just running and playing in Lindsay and Logan’s (and Ryan’s) backyard! So many fun things to play with and so much room to run.

They put their suits on and had a blast on the water slide that ended with a ride down the slip n slide.

Thirsty?

Thanks again Jeff and Beth for having us, it was soo much fun!!

Preschool Graduate

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Noel

Kayli graduated from Preschool today. It was a bittersweet realization for me. She has grown and learned so much in the last year and I am really proud of her. But now it is on to Kindergarden, and I wonder where the time has gone? Im thrilled for her, she has wanted to go to the “big kid school” for over 2 years, and to her preschool was just a means to an end. I’ve been telling her for the last year that she had to go to preschool first and then once she graduates she can go to Kindergarden. So as we are pulling away from preschool today for the last time what is her first question? “Mom, are you going to drive me to Kindergarden now?” What is she trying to do, kill me? I told her she gets to have a few months break from school and then she can start Kindergarden. Then she got all excited and melted my heart “AWESOME! Mom I get to stay home with you for a few months.” So, for now she is my preschool graduate, NOT my kindergardener!

Her teachers said a little something about each child and Kayli got the best artist award because she is so detail orientated with all of her artwork and even her coloring. She knows how she wants it and doesn’t want to stop until it is just right. They said they often had to tell her she would have to finish at home because she was the last one coloring and they needed to move onto something else. I cant count the times she came home and did just that, even if she was having a play date!

We are so proud of you Kayli and know you will do awesome in Kindergarden!

Happy 5th Birthday Kayli!!

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Noel

I tried to convince Kayli to be 4 years old again this year and to stay little forever, but it didn’t work, she told me that she HAS to grow up, and boy is she thrilled to be 5. She kept asking me if her birthday was her last day at Preschool and if she gets to go to Kindergarden now. Silly girl cant wait to grow up and I just want to keep her little forever!

Her day started with waffles for breakfast and then it was off to school. She has been waiting to take cupcakes to school for her birthday since preschool started in August. She knew exactly what she wanted, chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting. She helped me make them on Sunday night and couldn’t wait to share them with her friends.

After school we went home and had Spaghetti for lunch at her request, and then we rushed off to the pottery painting studio with Eli, and her friends Karli and Maren.

After they spent an hour painting pottery we headed home for 3 hours of torture. Every 10 minutes she wanted to know if it was time to open up those presents that had been staring at her for over a week. Finally it was party time with her cousins, aunts, uncles, Grandpa and Goddess. She picked Pizza and crazy bread for dinner, and ice cream cake for dessert. Her cousins had a blast tearing into her gifts with her, while she was opening one, both TJ and Eli were also opening one up. It was pretty funny and crazy. I managed to snap a few pictures of the present opening whirlwind!

On your marks get set GO!

Kayli trying to open the one she has and watch TJ open the other one LOL! Eli had actually opened the pink bag first and decided he didnt like the contents and quickly handed it over to Kayli and moved onto another.

Lots of help!

Yes we did presents before cake, she just couldn’t stand it any longer!

Kayli is such a sweet little girl, don’t get my wrong there is still plenty of drama inside that little 5 year old body, but I see her sweet caring side more and more everyday. She loves to learn, and play. One of her favorite things to do is to color and make pictures for the people she loves, and she is really good at it too. She loves helping me with all kinds of things, especially baking. She is such a good big sister to Caiden, and loves playing with him, and teaching him everything she learned in school that day, yes they finally like each other a lot!! =) Although, she does insist that she is getting a little sister next, and no that is NOT an announcement. We love you Kayli girl!!

Happy New Year!

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Noel

We had our 2nd Rockband New Year’s eve party this year and it was so much fun! We all went to Tom and Ali’s house and had food and fun until Midnight. This year Grandpa and Grandma Madsen were in town and they joined in on the fun. Everyone made it to midnight and then we were out the door and headed home!! We are excited for all that a new year brings! So far the kids are getting 4 new cousins this year, and Kayli is so excited!