2013! (a.k.a shameless brag post filled with happy highlights of year)

It was a very, very busy year for us.  I have not taken (or had) the time to update this blog since July so there is a lot to mention, but this post is for a Brief review our year...

Madeline

• Turned One!
• Perfected walking, mastered stairs, running and jumping.
• Learned to count to ten and sing her ABC’s and many, many other songs. As well as memorize most of her favorite books.
• Started Nursery and learned to pray “all by myself!”
• Met her favorite princesses (Tiana and Snow White)
• Enjoyed dressing up for and taking naps with her great-granddaddy.

Maddie’s 1st birthday celebration with the family at Roo’s N More Zoo

Maddie tromping around in mommy’s heals for granddad

Another trip to the zoo.  Madeline is fearless

James and Maddie are sharing a room now.  We converted her crib to a big girl bed so sometimes big brother likes to climb into bed with her.

Trip to crispy Creme for Maddie using the big girl potty.

First trip to the beach.

Carrying her pumpkin “All BY MYSELF!”

Our pretty little tinker bell.

All dressed up for the holiday...Minnie mouse heals and all.

James

• Turned 3!
• Started preschool and speech therapy.
• Learned how to spell his name
• Loved hiking, biking and gardening
• Took gymnastics and swimming
• Danced with his favorite princess (Sleeping Beauty) and learned to crow from Peter Pan!
• Enjoyed many trips to the zoo, museum, library, parks, Disneyland, the beach, Utah, and California

Catching butterflies in the new backyard.

Dump truck cake for his 3rd birthday.

James was so excited to meet Sleeping Beauty

Enjoying the his new ride from our awesome friends.

Gymnastics class!

Riding his big boy bike.

Warming up after swim lessons.

Cousin Science camp at Grandpa Johnston’s

One of James’ favorite rides with one of his favorite people.

Checking out the docks in San Diego

James with just a few of his preschool art projects.

Preschool Christmas Party.

Dave & Mandi

• Celebrated 8 years of marriage.
• Finished our backyard, built gardens and a sandbox for the kids.
• Built a new entryway for our home.
• worked, worked and worked.
• Enjoyed our beautiful babies that are growing too fast!
• Dave is officially HALF WAY through with residency (yay!)  He put in his applications for GI fellowships this week.
• Mandi started a preschool co-op for James with a group of friends, teaching the kiddos about once a month.
• Mandi and the kids had the chance to spend several days with family in California caring for five nieces and nephews during their mom’s final (Hooray!!) chemo treatment.
• Got season passes to Disneyland and made the most of them!!!

The well loved sandbox, worth every stitch, screw and sliver!

The new entryway we built together.

Three of the five nieces and nephews I watched with the cute sign they made to welcome mom home after her last treatment.

Gardening with daddy

Disneyland!!!

Bring on a happy and healthy 2014!!