Halloween

Here's our happy chicken!

Grandma Emily

Madelyn ended up getting sick last week.....it was either a cold or from teething as another tooth (her 3rd) popped through earlier this week. Nana & Papa came up and watched Madelyn on Tuesday & Wednesday as we didn't take her to school. She was in much better spirits by Thursday. So thankful my parents are close and that they are always so willing to help us out! We are so lucky......thank you for all that you do for us!!!!!

Grandma Emily came up on Thursday night and stayed until Saturday. She took care of Madelyn on Friday - what a treat for Madelyn! Sounds like they both had a great time :) Madelyn had a lot of smiles for Grandma and loved talking to her. Emily stayed a little later on Saturday so Ryan & I could pick out our backsplash. I can't wait to put it up as that will be the finishing touch to our kitchen.

Trip to Iowa & Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday we went to LeHigh, Iowa to see one of Ryan's cousins and his family. He just returned home after serving the last year in Afghanistan. We got to meet their new baby, who is 8 weeks old. What a cutie she is! Seems like so long ago that Madelyn was in that stage. We decided to do a day trip as Madelyn hasn't slept very well in the pack-n-play. Madelyn was an awesome traveler!

It was a great day! We got to see Grandpa Kenny, Grandma Emily & Uncle Chris. It was also so fun to see Ryan's aunts, uncles, cousins & their kids. Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera so we don't have any pictures from the day.

On the way home we stopped in Owatonna to get Madelyn ready for bed. She got to see all her grandparents that day! It was a good break and Madelyn enjoyed rolling around for a little while. Always fun to see & get some loving from Nana & Papa.

On Sunday we went to a pumpkin patch in Maple Grove with the Froehle's. We had such a good time except poor Madelyn was starting to get sick. She was fussy & didn't enjoy it as much as the rest of us. Bishop is at such a fun age and it was fun to watch him feed the cows & goats and play in the corn pit. We picked out pumpkins so we are all set for Halloween. We tried getting a picture of the cousins but Madelyn was not interested!

6 Months

Madelyn was 6 months on 10/13. So hard to believe she is 6 months old already! We don't have her 6 month well visit until November. We were at the doctor a couple weeks ago for another re-check of her ears (ear infection was finally gone) and they gave her the flu shot & her 6 month shots. The flu shots for infants is a series of 2 shots so we have to wait 30 days to go back. It will be more like her 7 month appointment......but I'll post her stats at that time.

Every day is more and more fun with Madelyn! She is getting close to sitting on her own. She has 3 teeth (all on the bottom). She is (has been) eating oatmeal and really likes it. We tried sweet potatoes this morning and she swished them around in her mouth & then spit them out. We'll try again tonight or tomorrow.

She started making a motorboat noise/sound with her lips. It's hilarious -- she is so proud of herself and she has saliva all over her face when she's done. She is such a people person already (wonder who she gets that from?!?)! She talks and smiles to people at restaurants & in the grocery store.

Here are a few pictures of our 6 month sweetheart......

6 month pictures with Beth

We had Madelyn's 6 months pictures taken by Beth from bc fotos. Beth does an amazing job! These pictures were taken at Minnehaha Falls. It was a gorgeous fall day! Madelyn did great considering she didn't take a nap but by the end of the session she was "done". We are very happy with how the pictures turned out.

Madelyn loves Sofie

Smiles for Daddy

One of my favorites!

Madelyn wasn't crazy about the hat but it was really cute!

SO BIG!

North Shore

Three years ago we started a Bishop family tradition and went on a long weekend get-away in the fall. 3 years ago there were 6 of us, 2 years ago there 7 of us, this year there were 8 of us and next year there will be 9 of us......Carla is pregnant so the Froehle's will be a family of four when we go next year!! Super excited to be an auntie again :) :)

This year we went to the North Shore. We stayed in Lutsen and had a great time. On Thursday, we hiked Split Rock on the way up to Lutsen. Friday we hiked some of the trails in Lutsen and Madelyn went swimming for the first time. She did great and really liked the water! My dad, Luke, Ryan & I played golf at Superior National Golf Course. On Saturday, Madelyn stayed back with my mom, dad, Carla & Bishop and Ryan & I went hiking at Oberg Mountain. It was a gorgeous weekend and we had a great time (like we always do when we are together!)!! Lots of laughs and so many memories to take with us!

Madelyn did awesome, even though she was still recovering from her ear infection. She loved hiking and looking all over the place. She loved playing with Bishop and Bishop is so good to her! He pats her gently on the head and says "baby". It's the cutest thing! They are going to have so much fun growing up together.

All set to go on my 1st hike

Daddy & Me

My dad & me

The Froehle Family

Carla & me

We used to have a ton of pictures together but now with the kids I can't remember the last picture we had together, just the 2 of us! Love you! :)

Madelyn all worn out from the big hike

Madelyn's 1st swimming adventure

On my back

I love swimming!

So much fun swimming with Auntie :)

Bishop - we love you so much! you always bring a smile to our face :)

Family picture + Bishop

Bishop throwing rocks into the water with Carla & Nana

My dad skipping rocks

Madelyn drinking water at dinner - she HAD to drink it from the glass

Picture Update

Here are a few pictures from the past couple weeks. I am hoping to post about our trip to North Shore trip with my family by the end of the weekend. We had a great time. We've had a great couple weeks. Madelyn is finally over her ear infection. It took a month, 2 rounds of medicine, lots of dirty diapers but we finally got there. Since she has been off the medication, you can tell she is much more like herself.....feeling better, so happy & always talking. She is growing up sooooo fast! She will be 6 months old this week - hard to believe that is even possible but hard to imagine our life before her. She is such a blessing to our family!

So proud of myself

Sitting by myself.....for about 5 seconds

One of my favorites from our North Shore trip!

Visiting our good friends Shari & Max

Max & Madelyn

Sitting like a big girl at Fat Nats Eggs

Go Bears

Cheering on the Cyclones with Daddy

I love my exersaucer!

Eating my toes

Playing with the laptop Nana gave me

Laughing & Smiling with Papa

Eating oatmeal from my high chair

Watching Elmo in my exersaucer

Played so hard I fell asleep in my exersaucer!