Happy Birthday Spencer!

So, last Saturday was Spencer's 28th birthday. Yikes, we're getting old! On Friday, Spencer wanted to go to Famous Dave's for a big plate of meat. ummm. Spencer particularly enjoyed the six different barbecue sauces at his immediate disposal. Men are such simple creatures-give them meat and they are content. Then on Saturday night (his actual birthday) we went shopping and then went to the Cheesecake factory so Spencer could get his favorite pumpkin pecan cheesecake. It was heavenly. For all you who've never tried it-you'd better get there in the next month because it is only served in the fall.

Cooking with Daddy

Madi loves watching daddy cook! On this day, she requested that he cook up some Kung Pao with lots of peppers. She likes to add a little "Kung Pao" to her diet every now and then!

Madi's New Bed!

For the past 3 1/2 months Madilyn has been sleeping in her beautiful cradle made especially for her by her Grandpa Al. She was beginning to get a little big for it though. At night she would flail her arms and hit the sides of the cradle, waking herself up. So we decided that we better get her a bigger bed. We ordered a crib last month but they told us it would take 10-12 weeks to get her. We were very surprised and happy to get a phone call on Friday (just 3 weeks after ordering it) saying that our crib had arrived! So Monday morning we went and picked it up (thanks Brewers for use of your truck and strong muscles:) Monday night we put Madi to sleep in the office so we could set up her new bed. It was so fun to put it together and put on her new bedding that has just been sitting in her closet. I seriously have been wanting to set up her bedroom since before she was born. Because of moving I never really got to set up a "nursery" like most new, first time moms do.
Madilyn woke up at 3am to eat and after feeding her I put her into her new bed. It was funny because she totally realized that she was somewhere new. Her eyes got really big and she kept starring at the sides of her bed and at the mobile hanging above her head. She loves her new mobile (thanks Roxy:).

BEFORE the crib. Madi is just chillin in her cradle!


The new crib!

Trip to the City

This past weekend, our friend, Adam Eshenroder, flew in from Utah for a quick visit. On Friday after Spencer's class, we all jumped on the Metro for a fun day exploring our nation's Capitol. This trip into DC was a first for Madi, Anie, and Adam! On Friday we started out at the National Archives to see the original Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Then, we stopped by Sen. Orrin Hatch's office for a tour of the Capitol. After a lot of walking, we finished the day off at Union Station for dinner and then back home on the Metro. What a day! Madi was quite the trooper. We all had so much fun on Friday, we decided for a double dose of the city on Saturday. On Saturday, we went back in to the city to see the Smithsonians and the Holocaust Museum. Boy were we tired by the end! About an hour through the Holocaust Museum, Madi decided she had had enough of Museums-or maybe she was just sad because we were in the Holocaust Museum (not the happiest place!). But, we all had a blast. DC is such a fun city!


Madilyn meet Adam. Adam meet Madilyn.


Madi is all bundled up and ready for a trip to the city.


Waiting for the Metro.


Our first trip to the Capitol.


Inside the Capitol dome.


Waiting for the capitol "subway".

Burbank Visitors

Today, we were privileged to have the Austin Family stop by for a quick visit. They were in our ward in Burbank and their daughter, Taylor, was one of my favorite fifth graders last year at Jefferson. We love visitors!

Story Time

Now that Madilyn can sit up by herself (with a little back support) she can enjoy reading time all by herself. Her favorite story right now is "The Hungry Caterpillar."



Sometimes Madi holds the book with her hands.



She makes sure to study every page.



Sometimes, Madilyn's hands get a little tired from holding the book up. She is so talented, she figured out how to hold the book with her little feet!

1st Time in High Chair

So today, Spencer decided to let Madilyn try out her new high chair. I didn't think she'd be able to sit by herself without tipping over. Madi proved me wrong!



Does this mean I get to eat meat like daddy?



Oh boy, thanks for this great high chair Aunt Fay & Uncle Bob! You guys are the best!

Road Trip to North Carolina

Madi took her first road trip this past week! We left on Monday, October 1st and didn't get home until Sunday October 7th. Her daddy had a hard time parting with her. It was the longest time they've been apart. We drove there and back with our friends Matt, Doreen, and Hunter (thanks Gertsch family for letting us come along). Madilyn and Hunter had a great time hanging out together in the backseat! Madi and I made the trip to visit my sister, brother-in-law and their kids and see their newly purchased home! The Calhoun family moved to North Carolina about 2 months after we moved to DC. We are super excited to have some family out here with us! It's hard being so far away from everyone.
We had a fun filled week. Madi enjoyed being around her cousins. It was a little louder than Madi is used to, but she enjoyed the craziness! While we were there we celebrated Adley's 2nd birthday and joined him for a day at the Children's museum in downtown Raleigh.


Leaving the Children's Museum. Adley was a little sad about leaving.

Cousin Adley being such a big helper and giving Madilyn her binky to suck on.

Madi with cousin Ani- the girls are only two months apart!

Madi and Hunter excited to get going!


Daddy having one last snuggle before saying goodbye to his girls for the week!