Maddie and Dad fishing trip

Since Andy got to spend some one on one time with Garen last weekend, Maddie felt left out and wanted her own camping trip. So this weekend Maddie and Andy headed out ready to camp, fish and build fires. They didn't catch as many fish as last weekend but Maddie filled her time exploring and catching frogs.

They had a couple unexpected adventures like a mystery animal messing with their tent in the middle of the night and Maddie leaving the lights on inside the van causing a dead battery. With no cell phone service they were lucky it was a busy weekend and their were people around to give them a jump. They only had the cell phone camera this time so the pictures aren't very good.

Overall Maddie enjoyed her time with her dad, she couldn't wait to tell me all about it when they got home.

Swimming Lessons

Maddie's been doing swimming lessons every morning and is loving it! I put her in level three but was unsure if they would bump her back down, but on day one they told them to jump in and swim across the pool and Maddie was to afraid to tell them she couldn't and just jumped in and started swimming. Luckily she made it-I didn't know she could swim that far with out a break but she did.

Activity Days

Maddie started Activity Days. She had so much fun and she even got a dozen roses as a welcoming gift at her first activity. They learned about the sacrament and got homemade bread.

Last Day of Horse Camp

The last two weeks, Maddie has been doing horse camp. She has learned so much and absolutely loves the horses! The minis are her favorite but she's really enjoyed riding her assigned horse, Nova. Maddie is now begging to come back to the camp soon!

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Etiquette Tea Party

At Girl Scouts today we had a lovely lunch with real tea sets and learned about manners and etiquette. The girls loved balancing the books on their heads and playing a game where you say silly things without showing your teeth or laughing.

I love how frightened Maddie looks in the background-

Horse Camp

Maddie's first day of horse camp bright and early this morning!

Maddie's Baptism

Maddie was baptized yesterday. It was such a beautiful and spirit filled day. My parents, Andy's parents and sister, and my friend Brenda all came out for the special day. We also had so many friends come to support Maddie (friends from church and friends not of our faith). We had dinner first then filled the RS room with 50+ people. Maddie and 7 of her friends that are 8 sang the Baptism song. Jann and my dad both gave wonderful talks about baptism and the Holy Ghost and Andy did a great job with the Baptism and gave a beautiful Cconfirmation.

In the middle of preparing programs, food, pictures, and setting up chairs and tables I could definitely see the benefit in having a Stake baptism. But I had so much help from my family and friends that everything turned out just wonderful.

I will always remember this day and how beautiful and happy Maddie looked and the spirit that was felt so strongly during those special ordinances.

It was a long day for Sophie with no nap and lots of church, and not enough attention from mom-

Some of my friends that were there-

Maddie and Bishop Druce-

cheetos and cake, anything to make her happy-

Maddie's Birthday

(The Pictures go from the end of our day to the beginning because I didn't want to fix them)

Maddie's birthday was also the last day of school so she had one packed day. She woke up to find her presents and birthday cereal waiting for her. Sophie was so excited till she realized the presents weren't for her-then is was complete meltdown. Maddie's big present was our weekend in Salt Lake but she also received a set of her own scriptures with her name on it, a new pilowpet, some scripture marking pencils, some pj's, shorts, shoes, and a baptism bracelet. Plus her and Sophie are getting bunkbeds. After opening presents she was off to school.

Andy, me, Garen, and Sophie went to her school after lunch and brought (at Maddie's request) chocolate and vanilla ice cream sandwiches. The kids loved Sophie and wouldn't leave her alone.

While Maddie finish at school Sophie went and got her shots at the doctor. She know tells me all the time that she doesn't like the doctor anymore. She weighed in at 29 pounds and 35 inches tall.

After Maddie got home from school she got to play outside for a bit before we headed to her softball game. She brought cupcakes to share with her team. Then we stopped and McDonald's (Maddie's choice) for dinner. We let Maddie pick a movie to stay up and watch (Nomeo and Juliet). At home we had cupcakes and ice cream and didn't end up starting the movie till 9:30. So Maddie and Garen got to stay up past 11. Maddie said it was the best birthday and last day of school ever and then zonked out!

Maddie and her BFF Kamryn-