saturday adventures - forest road 125 and lake mary

angie thanks for teaching me to braid
i still need a lot of practice
but she looked really cute for our outing today

Madison and Austin
getting ready to go...
and the loving start

view from the truck
i wonder if i will ever get over how beautiful it is here
i really hope not

forest road 125
this was the road to a small lake we wanted to see
we never made it
the adults misread the sign
we thought the lake was 2 miles down this road
it was actually 9 - we didn't go that far



on the way back we put the kids in the back of the truck
lesson one - bring jackets, it was pretty cold
from the back of the truck Austin saw a small pond
so we stopped to play
lesson two - no flip flops on saturday adventures



J and Madison
these two are as close as any father daughter pair could be
she always wants to hold his hand
he, of course, never minds

found: new plant
austin called them cat-tails
(from plants vs zombies)
she loved how soft they were

i know i don't get as many pictures of Austin
he is a little faster them me
and likes to hide from my camera
but sometimes he lets takes his picture
i'm glad when he does

my shadow -
i was thinking this was going to be my only proof      I was there...

Madison and Austin playing in the cat-tails

Madison found this fallen tree
and HAD to climb it

she did really good
J was there, just in case
but she is getting so brave

J and Madison exploring

Madison and Austin climbing

Me and J
Austin asked if he could take our picture
i think i will have him do this more often

i love her smile
she is giving me a flower she picked

the flower
in Madison's hand

the misread sign
we found it on the way back
9 miles, not 2

on the side of the road:
lots and lots of cows

Lake Mary
Austin taking a video of me taking his picture :)

J and Madison getting close enough for Madison to      feel the water
suprise :) it was cold

Madison and Austin

Madison throwing rocks in the lake
I'm sure the guys fishing across the lake loved us
(she only threw a couple)

Austin on our way back to the truck

when we got home Madison just couldn't wait
she HAD to help J open one of his father's day presents

helping turned into taking over and opening the      present for him
he doesn't mind at all
they spent the next hour building this star wars spaceship
Madison picked out for him

5 years ago today

5 years ago today our baby girl had her first surgery (6 hours)
she was diagnosed with a stage 2 brain tumor June 14 2006
astrocytoma - shaped like stars
she did amazing
she is amazing
we are so lucky to have her
thank you God for the last 5 years

The tumor was in her spinal cord - literally inside
this caused her spinal cord to resemble a straw
we were told to be prepared for her to be paralized because of the
location and the nerves that had to be cut
we were told at best she would have several sever physical problems,
she would walk with a wide gait, she wouldn't be able to be potty trained...,
she wouldn't be the same baby girl we sent into surgery
and she's not
she is an amazing fighter
she has amazing spirit
and she came out stronger then ever
  

It is so hard to believe our journey with cancer started 5 years ago, that seems like a life time. Today Madison has a very minor physical issue, her thumb occasionally will go numb, tingle, drive her crazy. She was able to go to Kindergarten with the limited restrictions of no football, trampolines, wrestling, or tumbling. It reminds me to be so thankful that she doesn't have any other issues.
I love you so much Madison Rae. Thank you for teaching me to be strong, and how to fight right along with you.
  

just a pic

Madison eating brownie mix
she loves baking with me
i think i figured out why :)

make a wish...

just a pic



our beautiful girl
Madison with her pillow pet



saturday adventure - 89a to sedona

driving down 89a
i love how beautiful it is here

we pulled over and let the kids out to hike down to    the river

Austin balancing on rocks in the river

J helping Madison

she made it to the big rock near the middle

it didn't take to long for the shoes to come off
next time we know to wear "river shoes"

Madison and Austin playing in the river

Austin sit down and let me take a few pictures
I really like this one of him
so handsome

J teaching the kids how to skip rocks
he got 4 "skips"

Austin got 3
not bad for a first timer

Madison playing in the river
she loved it here and can't wait to go back

Austin helping Madison in a rough area
they were slipping all over
and having a great time

2 hours later we were on our way to Sedona

Madison's big smile
she was having such a good time

Madison by a horse statue

we had lunch at Taos Cantina
it was a bit pricey - but pretty good

Madison by the javelina statue
she wanted her picture taken by all the statues

we made a quick stop at the candy store and headed back

scenic stop on the way back

Madison and J
now that I see this - not the safest to let Madison sit ON the wall

I love how these 2 get along - out of the house

windy ride home
the kids wanted the windows down
with the beautiful weather we are having - why not?

just before we got back into town there was a      roadside jerky stand
J let Austin try one
he pick buffalo (yuck)
Austin loved it

a better picture of the jerky
(since I forgot to take a picture of the roadside stand)

and proof I was there
I am (will always be) behind the camera
so I plan to have some kind of proof I was there
maybe next time I will get J or Austin to take a      couple picture of me, well see

mondays - library

Madison and I have library day every monday. This was our first trip. I missed my turn and ended up downtown and lost, or as lost as I could be with GPS telling me it's recalculating and where to turn next to get back to the right street. It was still an adventure, that ended with Madison telling me that if we go "Downtown" again, someone that is more calm needed to drive, like her daddy.



it's a really cute library, and the people there are so nice



madison asked to take a picture by the united states flag pole

she loved that she could climb on the step stools to choose her books

Madison had a lot of fun in the kiddie section

outside time

again backdated, just trying to play catch-up

J and I are trying to take / force the kids to go outside for an hour or so everyday. The weather is beautiful here and going ourside is a nice break from the TV, video games, and the computer.

Madison and Austin taking off for a bike ride



Madison is doing so good on her big girl bike



Austin riding his bike - i think he enjoys the break from the videogames

Madison peddling uphill - its a tough ride

a view into our neighborhood

new home - new town - new adventures

totally cheated and backdated entry so pictures match the dates :)

Madison loves climbing on everything she can find.

Madison wants to be outside all the time.

to aunt angie, from madison

this is our new town house, I really love it.