Been Gone

I have totally failed the photo challenge but I do have reasons. We have been gone for the last 12 of 14 days. I will try to complete the last 20 or so photos this week but no promises. :o)

We were gone for a few of those days to attend Justin's Grandma Doris' funeral. She was such a fun, vibrant and talkative woman. Doris made me feel like part of the family right away and she was always encouraging and understanding to me as a mom which I always appreciated. We will miss her dearly...she was always so good about emailing and keeping in touch w/ us and the great-grands. We are thankful for the promises and hope of heaven...
So for the photo challenge day 8 here is a FAVORITE photo of mine (even tho' it isn't current and there are 2):

Great Grandma Doris and baby Madelynn

Madelynn Turns 5!

Today is Madelynn's 5th bday but we celebrated both Saturday and Sunday. Today she got to eat leftover bday lunch and cake. She seemed pretty happy about that and playing w/ her new toys too. :o)
First, my parents and Jacki came over Saturday and celebrated...

The red pillowcase she asked for from Gpa and Grammie Skillman-she said she slept so well on it that night. :o)

Jay loved having people over and wouldn't take a nap but he finally petered out.

Great picture together...baby and a gun. Don't worry it wasn't loaded (obviously). :o)

He had to get in the picture too!


Sunday afternoon she invited two friends over...Brenna and Ada

First, they painted some frames and decor for themand then opened presents

She did have a cupcake cake but of course I forgot to get a picture of that and her blowing the candles out. But Justin did video it at least!
She had a lot of fun at both parties and of course, we love her sooo much!

PC 6 & 7

Day 6: Your Shoes (Our Faves- J's Boots, My Simple Loafers-so comfy, MJ's NEW running shoes-she is super fast in these!, Fin's snow boots, and Jay's lil' ones.
Day 7: Your Sky-Kind of a boring cloudy day



And just a funny picture of Jay getting stuck under a chair...

PC Day 4 & 5

Day 4: Something you adore-chubby little baby thighs (how can you not!) :o)


Day 5: Something that makes you smile-my hubby pulling the kids in the sled. He runs and quickly turns so they whip around.
And our cat hiding in the chiminea (sp?) thing

Photo Challenge Days 2 & 3

Day 2: Breakfast

Here are the kids in their pj's eating breakast (please excuse the messy pantry behind). Very boring but tasty cereal this morning and Madelynn had a leftover waffle from yesterday (when I should've taken a pic so you'd be impressed by my waffle making). :o)


Day 3: Where you sleep
Yes, this is where I sleep when the bed isn't bombarded w/ toys. I have big plans for this room this year tho'. I would love to make a headboard, make new curtains, pillows, recover my red chair, and paint. We will see if that project ever happens tho'! I need to find a color palette/pattern I really like and I am terrible at making decisions like that. I may have to call in some reinforcements for help-Candace?

On another note...the weather has been soo nice here that Madelynn brought her and Finley's winter coats to me and said that I could put these away now. Wouldn't that be kind of nice? I would like one really good snowstorm sometime this winter tho'.

Photo Challenge

I just saw this on my friend Ashley's blog and I thought it was a cute idea. You may remember I tried doing something like this last February and I didn't do too hot! Anyway, thought I would give it another try and not start on January 1st like you are supposed to but start today the 10th. Change it up a little, you know! And I wouldn't focus entirely on myself but include the whole family and so the gparents would get their gchild fix! Also, I may clump a few days worth of photos into one day...
So the first photo is
1. YOU (our Family)Photo by Kristen Hartzler Photography

Christmas Trip

We were able to spend the week of Christmas through New Year's traveling to see both our families. We started in Billings on Christmas Eve and celebrated Christ's birth at the Faith E's service-was able to hear my cousin's wife sing which was a treat! On Christmas Day we went to my Aunt's for lunch and some presents and that afternoon we were w/ my family. We stayed in Billings til Wednesday and then headed north!!

Kylie and Fin taking a spin

Grandma Lund gave all the great-grands sock monkeys

Chaos at the Wall house!

These two have so much fun together (as do Fin and Tyler). Sometimes I am amazed at how totally opposite they are physically-in this pic they look like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty

Jay opening his present- he did love the wrapping and tissue paper!

Tyler and Finley got one of these from my parents-I am pretty sure they played w/ them for 3 days straight (when they weren't bugging of the older sisters)

Lustre....

Jay is getting better at sitting on his own...he is getting his second tooth right now but pretty content and he is rolling every where! At the Skillman's house I think he made about 20 laps around their living room.

Brothers resting together

Papa and Fin playing w/ his new trucks

Grammie and MJ checking out her new magnetic dress up doll book

Lookin' good before Church

Grammie and Jay-he loves to touch faces (gotta keep his nails short!)