Last Day of Fall/Spring Dance

I first have to thank my neighbor, Abbi, for coming over at 7:45am to do Madison's hair. She came over last night when I was practicing on her hair and offered to come over this morning and just do it. Yay! She does hair so I was all for her doing it. Plus, with having to get Ethan and myself ready this really was helpful. I could have done it but it was so much easier this way. Madison received so many compliments on her hair.

Today was the last day of Fall/Spring dance class. She had dress rehearsal today as well as pictures. Her recital is next weekend.


Here she is all ready to perform her dance for the recital and to have photos taken. I absolutely love her outfit...hm...maybe because I love sunflowers.

Here she is with her class performing her dance for the parents. She is dancing to "Walking On Sunshine."

Receiving her award from her teacher, Ms. Emily.

And...the award she received was....BEST SMILE. Good Job Maddie!

Grandma Laura's Visit Came To An End :o(

Well...my mom finally had to end her visit with us. Yesterday at about 1:30pm she left our house to make her way back to Colorado. She will stop in Nebraska for a few days to spend a little more time with my sister, Jarrett, and her family.

Oh...she helped me tremendously. Now what will I do? ;o) It was so nice having her here. It was so nice just having her around. Of course, there is nothing like having your mom cook for you. I love my mom's cooking! She also re-covered a glider and ottoman for me to put in the baby's room (I hated the fabric that was on it previously and had always wanted to redo it.) in denim fabric. She brought the rocking chair I used as a child...that she had used as a child as well. I was honored that she brought it for Madison to use and have. She stripped it and made a cushion out of the denim since Madison asked her to. She made me a pillow for the glider that matches the fun curtains she made for the baby's room. And..yes Madison had to have one too. I will have to take pictures once the chair is dry so you can see how fun and cute our rockers are. I think the curtains took the most time. Gosh she did so much..she even planted my garden. My sister did all the flowers for my deck when she was here so I think there isn't a whole lot left for me to do.......besides take care of my two children...and Mr. Miles.

I just hate good-byes. I missed her right away.....Thank you Grandma Laura for EVERYTHING!

Got Swing?

A swing is a must. Ethan loves his swing just like Madison loved her swing. However, the swing he has is so different compared to the one we had with Madison. Madison had a hand-me-down swing from her Aunt...one where you crank it up. Well, times have changed...Ethan's takes batteries or plugs in. What is that? Yes, it plugs in......amazing! We surely would go through the batteries if it didn't plug in. What a wonderful thing! Thank you so much Grandma Gloria and Pop Pop!!!

M&E

Madison wanted a picture taken of her and her brother....

Kevin and I sure do have some beautiful children!!

2 Weeks

Our precious Ethan at 2 weeks old..today. He loves his homemade blanket from Grandma and Grandpa Van Ess. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!!!

Visitors From South Dakota

My friend, Bev, and her family stopped by last night to visit. They are in town visiting from South Dakota. I met Bev working at Thrivent and we were pregnant together with our girls...Madison and Lynae. She moved away several years ago but comes to visit here and there. I have only been to her place in South Dakota twice. Madison and Lynae had a blast playing together while Bev and I caught up. They were even playing outside in the dark on Madison's play set after 10pm...in the rain...I wonder what the neighbors were thinking. ;o) The girls are 2 1/2 months apart.