Halloween!

While shopping for Madelynn's birthday party, we were fortunate enough to pick up her Halloween costume. For the previous two years she has gone as some kind of incarnation of fairy, and this year was no different.  She chose the Spider Fairy costume.

Of course because it is Utah, and cold alterations had to be made for the nugget and she didn't look quite like the girl in the stock photo, but if you ask me she is cuter.  We did a ballet bun, added some warm pink capris and a pink long john shirt.  Madelynn only weights 32 pounds and chills very easily.  Unfortunately the tiara was really flimsy and didn't make the trip from Salt Lake City to American Fork...again I still think she pulled it off and was once again a super cute fairy.

Dad and Angie dressed as Coke products. I dressed in scrubs, and Jeremy wore his zombie shirt from last year.  Mom and John didn't dress up, but they went to an allegedly cool, new park called Evermore.  The photos they took were Halloweeny and I thought it fit with the collage.

Since we live on a fairly busy street that doesn't have a lot of homes to trick or treat on we decided to travel down to Dad and Angie's.  Of course, it was Madelynn's idea to call Grandpa Dave (as she affectionately calls him) to see if he will go with her.  She had asked for Uncle Darren to come around with her, but he had to work.  She was excited to see her uncle once he did get off work, and stopped by Dad's house for a quick visit.

Madelynn made a haul with the candy.  It helped that we didn't get a start until 7:30 or so and everyone was winding down.  About half way through the walking she claimed her little legs couldn't possibly carry her any further.  I didn't get any photos of Madelynn being carried by a giant coke bottle, but here are some cute shots of her knocking.

Unfortunately for us, but fortunately for the Gibson clan; Elyssa, Matthew and Bella celebrated Halloween in Texas. I couldn't let a Halloween blog go without photos of my beloved niece and nephew.  I'm sure they had an amazing time with their grandparents and uncles.  They don't get to see them very often, and it was great that they were able to experience Halloween with them all.  Ms. Bella was Super Girl, and Matthew was Darth Vader.

Jeremy and Madelynn

Jeremy is a really great father. He is an amazing human being, but that man was born to be a father. Especially a father to a little girl.  Jeremy and I were watching You Tube one day and came across a video about making a rainbow bracelet using hair bands.  In a home with two females we had plenty of those lying around the house.  

Jeremy showed Madelynn the video and asked her if she would like to make them for herself.

 She readily agreed and together the two of them each made a bracelet.  

Madelynn asked her father to wear his bracelet to work, which he did. Jeremy has never been one to care about what others thought of him. A trucker at his work did ask Jeremy is he was a 'queer'. Jeremy responded with "So what if I am"?  The truck apparently had no response.  My husband has never been shy about expressing his opinions on equal rights, and does not find it offense should one mistake him for a gay gentlemen.  He is a shining example of a man, and a human being for our daughter.

Madelynn and Peyton

My cousin, Brandi, had little Peyton in January and ever since Madelynn has been enamored.  It is a weekly ritual for her to ask to see the newest photos of 'her' Peyton.  Madelynn finally got to meet the cutest little red head when my cousin Brittany got married in August.  The whole trip back from Idaho Madelynn couldn't stop talking about how cute Peyton was, and how Aunt Brittany looked like a princess.  

Madelynn with Mr. & Mrs. Tony Pollmeier

Madelynn & Peyton's First Meeting

My father Dave, Madelynn, me, my cousin Brandi, little Peyton & my aunt Debbie

Lack of Posts

I'm attempting to catch up on the blog.  I was looking at it the other day and when I first started this in 2009 I had written 90 posts.  The number is probably so high because it was the year Jeremy and I got married, and had Madelynn.   I started this blog because I wanted my grandparents in Washington to see what we were up to, then it became an easier way of keeping those who had heard about Madelynn's situation up to date.   We moved to Washington and it was a way to keep Madelynn's grandparents up to date on what was going on.  We were pretty active when we moved back to my home, and now that we have moved back to Utah the posts have severely suffered.

This year I've written 15. 15! It isn't so much that nothing note worthy has happened in 2014 as I haven't been proactive about it.  I'll attempt to remedy it, because I know how happy my grandmother gets when there are new posts.

The pictures are from an August evening in West Valley.  Ms. Madelynn has very particular taste in hand soap.   She loves Bath and Body works.  Madelynn informed me earlier in the day we were out of hand soap in the bathroom and insisted we go to the mall to get some more.  While I was inside to get the soap Jeremy and Madelynn found a splash pad.  It was mid-August so the night was very warm. As one can see from the video, Mads had blast.  I returned with soap in hand, and a very wet child.

It is Only Hair

In July I decided I wanted a change in hair color.  Darren's wife, Elyssa, was gracious enough to offer her services.  The family went over there for some hair cuts, and to spend time with each other.  

Jeremy didn't need his hair done, and opted to spend time with Bella in the living room watching Frozen.  Bella loves her Uncle Jeremy, and always seems quite delighted to be around him.

Madelynn needed her hair cut.  Much to Madelynn's chagrin, Elly had to cut a couple of inches off to even it all out.  My mother had cut Madelynn's bangs previously, and the hair needed a trim.  Elyssa did a wonderful job, though ever since Madelynn has been asking for me to make it longer.  The concept of hair growth eludes her.

I was going for a red vixen-esque look, and to achieve it Elyssa had to bleach my hair.  For a brief moment Madelynn and I had the same hair color.  We were two blonde beauties.

The three cousins enjoyed each other's company.  It was a long day, but they didn't seem to mind one bit.

Elyssa is very talented, and my hair turned out great.

Unfortunately, red does not last for very long and it soon turned orange.  Still wanting to stick with the slightly punk rock, alternative look I decided on purple.  Madelynn, still fascinated with the idea that she and I could have the same hair color asked if her hair could be dyed. I obliged because 1) she's five , 2) there isn't a dress code for her to follow and 3) it is only hair.  It grows back.  Jeremy's stepmother told him it looked weird, and she didn't care for it.  The hair color was a hit with Madelynn though, and since she is my family, that is what mattered.  Her blonde pixie hair will grow back. She will be a little toe head again, but a brief time when she was four & five she got to rock an unconventional hair color and be like Mom.

Madelynn and Her Bike

Madelynn isn't really the type of child who asks for things. When she requested a purple bicycle for her fifth birthday we were more than happy to oblige.  We were fortunate enough to find the perfect fit for her. 

Stock Photo for Clarity

 The day of her party it poured.  Fortunately, Sunday was a beautiful day for bike riding.

 

She can't quite figure out how to brake properly.  Instead she opts for jumping off the bike when it is time to stop. It really is quite funny to watch...only when she has her helmet on and lands in the grass. I've post several short videos of Madelynn riding.  The last one is my favorite because of her "Hi, Mom" in that little voice of hers.

Our Girl is Five

I am nearly a full month late with this post (and a bunch of other posts from the summer).  Madelynn Amber Hurst, our modern day miracle, turned five on September 21st.

A huge accomplishment for our child this year was potty training.  Madelynn has Sensory Dysfunction Disorder, which means she cannot feel thing the way 'normal' individuals do.  It takes a lot for her to feel pain, and feeling pressure in her bladder or bowel was not taking place.  We had been working on increasing her sensory diet, essentially overstimulating her.  While daycare was on vacation for a week,  her brain and senses connected the pressure with the need to use to restroom and she hasn't looked back.  It was truly amazing.

On September 27th friends and family gathered to celebrate Madelynn's birthday.  Poppa Dave and Angie were gracious enough to allow us to use their home as all the guests were from Utah County.  The grandparents Jones, Darren, Elly, Matthew and Bella rounded out the family members in attendance.  My friend Erin, her husband Mike and their boys Brent, Draegan & Xander came out for the fun.  Angie's sister, Stephanie, her husband Mark and their two boys Joseph and Benjamin made the party complete.  While most of her friends n attendance were boys, they made sure Madelynn had a perfect princess birthday.  We are truly lucky to have the individuals in our life that we do.

The decorations.

The presents

All Madelynn wanted was a purple bike.  The look on her face when I brought it out is what makes this whole parent thing worth while.

Even though it was pouring rain the kids bounced to their hearts' content in the Princess Bounce House.  It was so much fun watching these kids.

A family gather post isn't complete without a Bella Collage! (Added 10.15.14)

Madelynn's Dancing

There are several things I need/want to post about, but I only have a moment.

Madelynn, like most of the country, loves the song "Chandelier" by Sia.  Obviously she doesn't understand the lyrics, she just likes the emotion behind it.  Madelynn will often sing it in the car when we're running errands.

I showed Madelynn the video one night.  I find the talent of the dancer, Maddie Ziegler, incredible.  So did Madelynn.  She watched it through once, and had me replay it so she could dance like the girl in the video.

For some reference here is the Sia video:



And Madelynn's Video:

Easter 2014

While I still have March to blog about, but since I am on here now I'll blog about Easter so as not to get further behind.

This is our first Easter back in Utah, which was bittersweet for me.  I miss Washington terrible, and Easter brought egg hunts with Andrew and ham dinners with the maternal side of the family.  Days like these just make me homesick.  On the positive side we were able to spend the day with my father, Angela, my mother, John, and Darren's family.  Dad and Angie, as usual, provided an amazing BBQ complete with a home made carrot cake that Matthew couldn't wait to devour.  We decorated eggs with the nuggets, and hid the plastic ones for them to find.  Large Easter baskets were also hidden as a bonus.  It was a beautiful day outside, and a pleasant day seemed to be had by all.

Debating on Pooh Bear's pigment.

Bella waiting for the BBQ,

Decorating Easter Eggs

The Hunt is On!

Reaping the Spoils

A New Niece

On March 26, 2014 at 3:17 PM PST Jeremy's baby sister, Amanda, and her husband, Eric, welcomed their first child to this crazy world.  Miss Annabelle Kay Brambila weighed in at 6 lbs 15 ounces, and 20 inches long.  Congratulations and all our love to the new parents! We can't wait to meet her 

Miss Annabelle 

Grandma Tammy and Uncle Gerald

Ready for home!

February Pictures

Aside from the wedding the month of February was uneventful.  These are just random moments of the family caught throughout the month:

Madelynn got a hold of my phone.

My favorite little belly belongs to Bella!

It is always Playdoh time at our house.

Day Care Accident #1: She flipped over the handle bars on the tricycle.

More Play Doh!

Madelynn has been helping Jeremy with the dishes lately.  Jeremy will wash
the dish first, then hand it to Madelynn for her to re-wash and rinse.

A Day at the Park

Her hair is so long now.  It may be time to visit the salon.

Waiting for Grandma & Grandpa Jones and Matthew.