Putting Up the Christmas Tree

Jeremy and I had said if Madelynn came to us and asked to get a Christmas tree we would.  We are not doing Santa with her, but have explained that others believe in him, and it is not her place to spoil it for them. Madelynn asked specifically for a white tree, and she had a blast setting it up with her dad and decorating it. 

Madelynn's stocking.  The glue got messed up, she will get a new one before Christmas day.

My little girl and our tree - she no longer resembles my baby.

The final product - our Disney/Whidbey Ornament Tree

Happy Halloween

 On Halloween the Bowden cousins got together, and went trick-or-treating around Darren's cul-de-sac.  Matthew was Bumblebee from Transformers, Madelynn was Tinkerbell and Bella was a Fairy.

For the Saturday after Halloween Jeremy and I went to a much needed, adults only party.  Jeremy was a zombie and I was a ref.  

My awesome office partners in crime: Chad & Tasha

Our New Home

After six months of paying off our lease in Everett we were able to rent a home in Salt Lake City.  Now while I still hate living in Utah, at least the area we chose to move to (Sugarhouse/Liberty Park) is a little closer to what my Northwest roots are meaning there are a lot of coffee shops, local stores, and open minded people.  So at least there is a silver lining to being here.  Our round trip is ten miles a day, and I walk home through the park on most days.

Liberty Park

Liberty Park

My grandmother asked for photos so here is a quick tour of the home:

The house - it is a large duplex.

The Living Room - It is 23' x 15'.

Kitchen

Hall - Where all the storage is.  The door on the right leads to the cellar and laundry room.

Newly Renovated Bathroom

Closets in Madelynn's Room

Madelynn's Room

Our room wasn't unpacked when I took the photos. 

Pony Party

Madelynn got sick the week of her birthday, and apparently there was the BYU/U game going on, so we decided to move the party back a week.  This worked out because Jeremy's California family were in town for his brother's POST graduation to be a corrections officer.

Initially Madelynn wanted a pool party for her birthday.  After contacting several pools we ruled it out.  Given her recent obsession with My Little Ponies, I decided to see if there were stables in the area that did horse back riding parties.  I was in luck.  I found Lucky Star Stables.

The owner provided the decorations, and gift bags.  We brought the cupcakes.  The kids were able to go on the horses twice, and play on a swing set and trampoline after they were done.  I was really impressed with how well everything went, and how gentle the horses were.

Between the horses and having all her cousins there,  I think the day was really made for Madelynn.

The Party

Waiting for the Guests

Pretty in Pink

Madelynn Riding the Horse

Madelynn

Evan

MaKayla

Matthew

Landon

Cupcake Time

Presents

After the party, Madelynn convinced Grandpa to play Fairies with her.

A Madelynn Video

My mother recently re-found about a third of my collection of my My Little Ponies.  These have been a huge hit with Madelynn.  She plays with them nearly every day.  Below is a video of one of these times.

At the end you will hear Madelynn start to sing to her ponies.  Apparently my father has been singing In the Jungle by the Tokens to Madelynn.  She intertwines the lyrics with "Oomachaka", and replaces lion with Poppa.

Enjoy.

Four Years Later

Beating the Heat

While waiting for the BBQ Jeremy & I set up Madelynn's new pool in his sister's back yard to allow the three kids to cool down during the 104 degree day.

Freedom Festival Parade

On the morning of the fourth we met up with family, and went to the Freedom Festival Parade in  Provo.  Madelynn has never been to a parade, but we were happily surprised at how well she behaved.  The floats, the bands, the Miss Cities all entranced her.

The nuggets MaKayla, Evan, and Madelynn patiently waiting for the parade to start.

 The random floats, and emergency personnel of the parade.            

Madelynn was so polite and waved at everyone save for Chatfez, Lee & Herbert.

Dear Ol' AF High...

The Firm

As I wait for my photos to load from the weekend I am writing a blog about my job.  It has been 10 weeks working as a paralegal to Jason Schatz.  I have never loved my job as much as I love this one.  I feel like I am finally in the field of work I've always wanted to be in.  It motivates me to finish college, and toy with the idea of going further than a bachelor's degree.

I received big news this week.  The firm ended my probation early.  I had four weeks left, and they decided they didn't need them to decided whether or not I am a keeper. Since I did pass probation, I received a mystery raise.  The partners are giving the paralegals a raise because of some extra duties we are to take on. Jason, on a rare moment of coyness, asked if he should tell us what it is, but the office manager smiled and said to left us see on the 15th.

Every day I am amazed at the response I got from the legal community when  the news came out I was coming back.  It doesn't take away from me not wanting to be in Utah, but the firm gives me a respite from being here for nine hours a day,

Sunday at Deer Creek

I wish I had thought to get more pictures than I did, but I only have four (and those were thanks to my sister-in-law) to share.

Instead of the usual popcorn and pizza at one of our homes, Angela suggested hot dogs at the lake.  The lake being Deer Creek Reservoir, which is just south west of Heber. Poor Darren's family had been suffering from an unidentified bug, but were able to make it.

Jeremy and I floated on giant yellow inner tubes.

Angela, Dad, Matthew and Madelynn went on a boat.  We didn't get a picture of that.

Bella is too small for any water fun, and she hadn't been feeling well, so she sat on the beach side.

Later we barbecued hot dogs, and had a family picnic in a pavilion on the shore.  All in all I think it was a pleasant day.

Madelynn is a Put On

I've never met a bigger ham than Madelynn.  I don't know where she gets it from.

Sunday Dinners

The paternal side of our family growing up always got together nearly every Sunday to have Popcorn and Pizza.  Even with families moving away, and the cousins becoming married and starting families it is amazing to see how many of us carry on the tradition.

Geocaching with the Joneses

I wish I had been smarter about planning our Geocaching adventure with Mom and John.  I forgot to download the caches locations.  I knew my GPS would work in the mountains, but forgot to find if caches exist I would need the internet.  So instead of finding the ten or twelve hidden along our route we found one at the beginning and one at the end.

The first required some billy goating so Mom was a trouper and stayed at the bottom with Madelynn so John, Jeremy and I could go and find it.

Penguin's Point

The end cache we all looked for.  This was Mom's first cache and she should be proud of herself.

Alpine Scenic Highway