Colins 5 months and first family trip!

1/18/16 Happy 5 months Colin!  You continue to get happier every day, we love and enjoy your big open mouth smile.  You like to grab onto us, as if you're hugging us back which is adorable, you also love face grabbing as we call it and have quite a grip.  You're still fascinated by your big sister and watch her every move, you are pretty chatty while your playing and your sweet baby babbles are like music to our ears. 

Madelyn you aren't even 3 yet and you can say your full name, the street you live on, you can even SPELL YOUR LAST NAME!   You can recite about 5 different nursery rhymes from memory, not to mention all the songs you know the lyrics to and can sing all by yourself or along with the radio to.  You speak in sentences, and it shocks us sometimes how clear it is what your trying to say, even your grammar is typically on point, you amaze us. 

January 22, 2016, first family trip!  We went to Grand Rapids for the weekend to visit with the Fox family.  Everyone had a blast, and Mama got to have a great birthday dinner and celebration for the big 3 - 1! Your Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Jim LOVE you kiddos so much and Kaitlyn, Courtney and Megan are perfect role models for you, they loved playing with you and teaching you new things, we had a blast!!

Aunt Kathleen was coaching her godson on sitting up...

And BAM, practice makes perfect and Aunt Kathleen must have had the right touch because you did it Colin!

Madelyn LOVES to dance, and seeing her cousin Megan dance made her want to show off her own skills and learn a few new moves :)

We are so lucky to have such loving family who welcome us for visits and always show us a great time

Winter of 2016 has definitely been a mild one, we get outside a lot for walks, this cutie likes the fresh air.

When I talk to other moms who have kids around the same age as my 2 cuties, one thing we always discuss is the joy of watching our kids interact.  I can't even begin to describe how it makes me feel to see the two of you together.  Madelyn your patience is well beyond what a 2 year old needs to have, as well as your compassion and understanding, it's amazing to see how you strive to help me with Colin, not just because you like to help me but because you care about him so much.  And Colin even as a baby you seem to be able to recognize that your sister is there to help you, even something as simple as when you drop a toy, she quickly retrieves it and will hold it out for you until you can grasp it again, and you smile at her because you are so used to her presence in that helpful way.  

First time bowling!  You did great Madelyn, we only had to have someone retrieve your slow rolling ball twice, but you bowled a 77

"Oh wow look at all the lights...the people...what's that?"  So much to see and watch made our first bowling trip a huge success for the whole family!  Madelyn got a lot of compliments on her princess ball from her Uncle Jimbo :)


Proud Daddy

2/8/16 First visit to the dentist!  You were the perfect patient, you let the Doctor count all of your teeth, use his fancy spinning toothbrush and polish them up nicely!  No cavities and you were told you're doing a great job brushing and keeping them clean!

Christmas 2015 with our beautiful kids!

Christmas Eve 2014, Madelyn is prepping the yard by sprinkling reindeer feed all around the yard!  She made sure to sprinkle just a little bit ALL over!

Still prepping - cookies made specially by Madelyn, and milk, out and ready for the big guy, reindeer pjs on, looks like we are all set!  Madelyn, you had a little trouble going to bed...you got up a few times claiming, "Santa woke me up, is he here?"

Thanks Grandma Ellis for being on top of the stockings!  They're hung on the fireplace with care :)  Always a great memory of my Grandma Bergmooser when we pull mine out which is an original made by her; my mom took on the tradition and has made them for the rest of our family. 

SANTA CAME!!!! Colin you were pumped, luckily Madelyn was able to help you open your gifts, and we promise she did a great job, if your name was on the gift we told her, she opened it for you right at your side and gave it to you :)  best big sister!  You loved the puppets Santa brought for you!

Colin you stayed attentive when Madelyn got to her gifts! 

To Madelyn and Colin from Santa, YOU GOT A KITCHEN!!!!  Not just any kitchen, a beautiful wooden kitchen with counter space, an oven, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave and a chefs outfit!

Busy Christmas day full of fun, excitement and family love!  

All hopped up on Christmas spirit these kiddos had a blast playing 

Colin had a wonderful first Christmas and we are so lucky this year to have 2 beautiful kids to celebrate with.

Just a couple of dudes hanging out in sleepers...being adorable

Grandma showing off Colin's strong legs :)

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Ellis for the cool art easel!  It's the perfect addition to the kids activity area in the basement!  Madelyn colors, paints, and does chalk drawings while Mommy works out, and when a song she likes comes on she drops what she's doing to do a little dance and run around :)

Madelyn and Colin, you are beautiful, we love you both so much.  The joy you bring to us every day is something that I can't even describe; watching you each on your own in your own element, watching you together interacting, it's the best thing and you continue to amaze us every day. 

Mr. Colin with your sweet smile, loving eyes and spikey hair...you melt our heart.  You usually sit in your bouncy while we eat dinner, and just a simple look in your direction brings a sweet smile to your face, we look away, then look back, and there it is again!  You're amazing, you're handsome, and  we love you so much. 

Colin you had your 4 month appointment, Dr. Madelyn made sure she came along to make sure your doctor was doing his job, she gave you a check up and then the Doctor came in and let her use all of his tools too! 15lbs 11oz, you're 45% which makes you as perfect on paper as you are in our hearts.  

Ongoing adventures of Madelyn and Colin - prepping for the holidays!

We finally got some snow for Madelyn to get outside and enjoy; she enjoyed riding in her sled, building a snowman and learning to make snow angels with Daddy!

Happy Thanksgiving 2015, we are thankful for each other; we have such a beautiful family and are so blessed every day. 

Madelyn and Colin got a visit from The Kindness Bears, Santa sent them to hang out until Christmas and every day they decided to show up and do fun things with the kids, help with chores, bake cookies, write letters; they were a great reminder of how lucky we are and how it's important to do nice things and enjoy our time together!

Time to decorate for Christmas 2015!  Star Wars Christmas was playing in the background, this year Madelyn was super into helping set up and hang ornaments on the tree.  

Mother nature has been kind so far, allowing us to enjoy some snow but also tons of sunshine and mild days to get outside!  Madelyn helped Daddy hang some Christmas lights outside on this beautiful day! 

I love my kids, and get tons of pictures of them together...for every one cute pic there is a reel of 10 to 20 out takes that didn't make the cut, some of those are the best!  This one in particular is a personal favorite, could be captioned many different ways....
Madelyn's probably thinking...Maybe Mom doesn't notice that I'm squeezing him harder than normal....
Colin:  "Mom, why does she have her arm around me again???"

Colin:  "AGAIN MOM?!?"
Madelyn: "OH MY GODDNESS, DOESN'T COLIN LOOK CUTE IN HIS SANTA HAT!?

Take 15, cute picture of my kids in their Christmas best :)

Our BEAUTIFUL daughter

Colin you are in good hands, your dad and I of course, but Madelyn also is very attentive to you, when you get up from your nap she likes to get in your crib and snuggle you and read to you. 

Another oddly nice day in December, first walk together in a double stroller with our kids hanging side by side!

Santa visit!  Colin you really liked the big guy, Madelyn you braved the visit, you didn't want to sit with Santa but were there to support Colin by holding his hand :)

Babys first Christmas! 

Daddy and Aunt Lisas Bday dinner, hanging with Lilly

Colin you get so may compliments on your hair, it was laying flat and then one day, BAM, spikey!

December 18, 2015 Happy 4 months Colin!

Future baker on our hands; 12/23/15 we made our cookies and baked them, 12/24/15, Christmas Eve morning we woke up and decorated them all!  I think this may be a tradition we start because you LOVED it Madelyn.  You favored the red sprinkles, you did a great job putting buttons on the snowmen, and decorated all the cookies beautifully!