super saturday

Saturday was a busy day at our house. We had an early morning meeting and painting party at the office building. I put myself in charge of cousin Mason and Maddie so Jeff and Cody could get some work done. We had a great time trying to keep up on the dirty diapers and maintaining happy babies.It is much better to wake up early on Saturday when these blue eyes are staring back at you.Saturday night cousin Bridger came to play while his parents went out. We had a great time at dinner and Maddie and Bridger enjoyed Toy Story together in thier jammies.

This was the closest thing we could get of them looking over at us. Maddie didn't want anything to do with it (she was enjoying the movie way too much) and it took chocolate milk to get Bridge's attention.

Bumbo

Maddie loves to check out what is going on. Whenever anyone holds her she screams if she is facing them for she loves to face everything else that is going on. That is why the Bumbo is a favorite.

She will sit on the bed and watch the television, sit on the table and watch us eat and loves to hang out wherever as long as she is upright placed in her Bumbo

Although she is not always super stoked about her new little seat

fairview cabin

Cody is a fine stone mason. His friends, the Barclays, have a sweet cabin up Fairview Canyon that recently underwent renovation. Part of that renovation was this great fireplace provided by Cody and his team (note: the artwork on the log was not provided by Cody but something I am sure he could do as well, you should see his wildlife sketches). Cody had to do some finishing touches so Maddie and I joined him for the little getaway.
Here is a view of the new great room where Maddie enjoyed the movie "fly boys" on her dad's lap. Markell's dad chopped down the giant Christmas tree and we were able to help get it up and decorate it. Here are some of the best hosts around...John is not kidding when he tells you, "if you come down, I GUARANTEE you a good time."

Thanks John, Markell, Kayde Pooh and Mom and Dad Barclay for the great time.

4 months

Maddie has turned 4 months and we made it through another round of immunizations. She has grown a bit in the last 2 months.
Weight: 12 lbs 7 oz 22%
Height 24 1/2" 58%
Head Circ 40.4 32%
I picked Maddie up after she received her shots and she quickly calmed down. The nurse did tell me that Maddie was giving her 'the look' and puckering her bottom lip. We are so glad that she has found her fingers that provide such comfort on such a devestating day. This picture reminds me of many of my baby pictures where it looks like I have been crying all day or heavily medicated.

i'm grateful

this thanksgiving we have so much to be grateful for...

oh how i love her

baby mason

Mason Jens Belliston born October 30, 7lbs 8oz. 22 inI already love getting these two together and can't wait to watch them grow up together. I think Maddie is excited about her new cousin too!
It is pretty wild how much growing takes place just 3 months.

While Liz was busy at the hospital and recovering Maddie and I were able to spend some good quality time with Ethan. We had a great time at the zoo once with Olivia and Colton and a second time with Chalise and Loni and thier fun kids. We were able to see all of the cute babies in preparation for the precious baby that would soon join our family.

Slippers

My grandma loved to give gifts. Growing up I always would go spend the weekend with her and always forgot my underwear. So she would take me to the store and we would get a pack. I ended up with quite the variety and collection of underwear. As her health began to deteriorate we would take her shopping and she would always try to get us to get something. One day I saw a pair of slippers I liked and she was so happy to finally get me something.

Maddie was given some clothes by a friend of Cody's and included were these darling slippers, just like the pair my grandma gave me. They give me a great memory of my Nan every time I put them on Maddie.

As you can see it is not very easy to get pictures of our little mover and the slippers don't last long as well.

good for a laugh

Our little elf

Cody told me to post this picture to give everyone who takes a peak a good laugh.

Drakes New Home

What can't Cody do? This last Saturday Cody made Drake this sweet dog house for the winter. Yep, fully insulated and heavy enough that Drake can't drag it out to the middle of the lawn to chew it to pieces.

Drake was warming up to his new place of refuge (with a little encouragement by Cody).

The close to finish project...one day we will have shingels put on and his dog pillow nailed to the walls.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

all bundled up

maddie has begun her hibernation mode

steamboat springs, co

we packed our bags, loaded up the suburban and joined our friends, john and markell and little kayde, for a little weekend getaway in the woods to steamboat springs, co. steamboat is a beautiful place that reminded cody and i of our honeymoon in breckenridge, co. we stayed at a superb condo and enjoyed great food, especially steaks and shrimp prepared by markell.sadly cody came down with a little bug on saturday and we barely made it out for this delightful little stroll to this great waterfall. the rest of our night was spent at the condo while cody mended. maddie sure enjoyed spending time with her dad even under the weather. the barclays were able to go to the natural hotsprings but had to leave at dusk because "clothes are not required" at dark and kayde wasn't quite ready for that experience.

Sister Redd

Alexis' mission has begun. We received a kind note and the following photos from the San Diego, California Mission President. As far as I can tell it looks like a fine group of individuals. Alexis has always 'bloomed where she is planted' so I am sure she has just gone straight to work. I couldn't be a prouder big sister.

The Presidents wife made me smile as she has her arm around my little Lu Lu. I love when people are comfortable enough to give a welcoming hug. Now, I am off to Costco to get my own copy of the beautiful picture below. I promissed Alexis and Emily that my little Maddie would recongize them when they see her next. I think this picture with a picture of the San Diego Temple representing where she is serving will be a great addition to her room.

zoology

aunt jess and cousin bridger invited us to the zoo with lucy, charlie and elliott. the spencers (jess' sisters kids) sure knew all about the animals and the best route around the joint.

maddie expressed her feelings about the zoo: miserable and bored.

we had to check out the baby giraffe to ensure accuracy for maddies halloween costume, maybe that will inspire her to like the zoo better next time. naturally we fell in love with the 250 lb baby.

welcome to the jungle

our great friends brady & jenna and riley & ashley gave madeleine this great play mat. she is finally getting more use out of it including making the butterflies fly high and the bear make music, sometimes with her legs rather then arms.

i think the green brings out her beautiful eyes. thanks again, she loves her play time with the animals.

knitted socks

grammie is always on the look out for something great for maddie. her latest find were these great knitted socks from the farmers market at pioneer park. lucky for maddie it was the only size available and they fit her long skinny fit perfectly.here is her best attempt to thank grammie, i think it will do.

duck season

Maddie looks like one frightened little duck as she can sense the duck hunt has arrived. Luckily, she always finds that little fist to calm her fears.The duck hunter himself with his little quacker. Cody loves his little baby and can't wait for her to join him in the marsh.

Mom's Birthday Bash

We celebrated mom's birthday on Sunday after conference. It was great to have all of the family members that live close as well as Grandma and Grandpa Redd and Jami and Whitney together to celebrate.

The hightlight of the night was my dad being hog tied by the grandkids and hollowing like an animal.

a little comparison

this may be the only time maddie will ever be caught sucking her thumb because i think she is leaning towards her fingers like her mom and cousin paige.

last night we thought we would try to attend dad's softball game at 9:30 pm. luckily i was responsible and just stayed in the car since yesterday was super cold. while we hung out in the car maddie found her fingers. first she liked the middle two (like paige) but finally fell asleep to the two by her thumb (like me). i also love this picture because she holds her thumb in her fist like that all of the time and i think it is so cute.
here i was caught sucking my fingers and empting moms tin foil to snungle in the bottom drawer next to the rolling pin.

i used my fingers to calm myself to sleep as well. nice colors around the house mom!right before i moved her into a more comfortable position i had to catch her in the craziest sleeping position. i just can't believe they are not sore after they fall asleep with thier heads falling like that. even though she hates it now i really tighten up her straps in her car seat so she can't move around at all.