Jeff’s company took all four us to Cancun for 6 fun filled days! We spent most of everyday at the pool having fun as a family. We were lucky that our neighbors and good friends, Niki, Flavio and Hannah came too so we had lots of fun. Both of the kids went to the beach for the very first time and didn’t like it much. Lindsay didn’t like the taste of the water and Logan liked the water but didn’t like the sand at first, but then he got into it. Lindsay and I went out on a paddle boat ride, just the two of us, which wasn’t easy. She couldn’t really reach the paddles and so I had to do all the paddling and the whole idea just scared me. I couldn’t think too much about what I was doing or where I was or else I would scare myself. We only went to the beach the one time and then just stayed at the pool the rest of the time. Sand is just TOO messy with two kids. The pool was great! It had a swim up bar so we drank a lot of margaritas, Miami Vices (strawberry daquiri and pina colada mixed together) and pina coladas (all without alcohol of course). There were a few places where Logan could touch the ground and he loved that. He liked going up and down the stairs which made me a little nervous because there were so slippery and he did fall a couple of times. The longer we were there the longer the amount of time Logan spent under water kept getting longer. He would just slip and go under the water when he would be just out of reach. But he’s okay! It was never more than a second or two but the last time it was probably closer to 3. Yikes. They had a ton of fun.

Lindsay learned how to swim while we were there. Niki bought her some floaties and she LOVED that she could go in the water all by herself. She quickly learned to kick her feet to get places and had a blast in the water. Lindsay and daddy got to swim with dolphins when we went to a place called Xcaret, which is an outdoor “amusement” park of sorts. They had an aquarium, zoo, snorkeling, food, swimming with dolphins, a beach, and of course food. Anyway, we spent $$$ for them to do it but it was so worth it! Look how happy she is!

Logan started talking quite a bit while we were there and he can now say hi, bye, good, stuck, cup, notebook (bo buh, from Blue’s Clues), phone, all done, Hannah (Na-na), up, Lindsay (it’s weird, but he does say it), Flavio (Fa-va), Grandpa (ma-pa), Grandma (mama) and that’s all I can think of right now. He’s turning into such a big boy! When he needs his diaper changed, he’ll just go get a diaper and the wipes and bring them to you and lay down for you, which is such a difference from a couple of weeks ago when he would SCREAM when you tried to change his diaper. It’s a nice change.

We had a great time together as a family, spending all day together and getting to know each other even better. The kids had a blast outside and inside, at the pool and in the hotel room. They played their little hearts out and slept good (Lindsay even took naps everyday!). We were ready to come home when it was time but can’t wait to go on another vacation like this soon. It was fun to go somewhere new.

(Thanks Niki for some awesome pictures!!)

Instead of posting thousands of pictures up here, just click on the link to our picture page and go to the Cancun folder. (Or click this link.) Enjoy!

We now own two cars! Last night Jeffy and I bought a 2008 Jetta and it’s oh so cute! We were originally going to go buy a Beetle but after driving it we just weren’t so sure anymore and then we sat in a Jetta just waiting for our sales guy to bring us something and we both said, “Whoa!” Anyway, after a very LONG time at the dealer we left with our new car. It’s silver and has so many fun things! It has an iPod dock in the center console so you just put your iPod in there and it plays through the car stereo AND charges it at the same time. That’s the coolest part about the car. It has a sunroof and black interior and it’s just cool. VW Beetles are so fun to drive but the Jetta was just more practical for a family of 4. Jeffy used to make fun of guys who drove a Jetta but now he is one! He’s a guy in a Jetta! (That’s for you Sherri!) Anyway, we’re excited. Now we just have to figure out to fit both of them in our very small two car garage.

(I will post about Cancun soon, don’t you worry!)

Today Jeffy and I got manicures and pedicures. Yes, JEFFY and I did. He’ll do anything with me, it’s so great! We had a great time and enjoyed the pampering.

Cancun, here we come!

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. I have no other excuse except that we’re having fun! Grandma and Grandpa Madsen are here visiting and we’re having a good time. I feel bad that I haven’t taken any pictures of them with the kids but I promise we’re having fun! We’ve been swimming and playing at the park and enjoying the nice HOT weather!

Logan, Harlie and Lindsay playing in the water.

Logan and Harlie on a date. They like eating chicken nuggets together.

Logan playing at the park.


Lindsay having a good time at the park.

Doesn’t she look like 10 in this picture?

Thanks Grandma Madsen for helping me keep track of the kids!

Ashlee invited Lindsay over to swim yesterday and she had a lot of fun! They swam for about 2 hours and had a great time! Here are some pictures and a video of her. She’s really enjoyed the water this summer and doesn’t seem to be as afraid of it as she was last summer. Yay!

For my birthday, Jeffy surprised me with new cabinets for my laundry room! He was so sneaky with it! I really had no idea. He had the guy come and install them while we were at the concert on Saturday night so that when we got home they were all ready. Aren’t they pretty? I LOVE them! Over the last 6 months I’ve been telling myself what things I would put in there but now I can’t remember them all. This is why I make lists! Anyway, here’s some pictures of my pretty new cabinets. They aren’t the best pictures so you’ll just have to come over and see them for yourself.



Isn’t Jeffy the best husband ever?

Bethy’s birthday will be over in 16 minutes, so I just wanted to quickly write and tell the whole world how much I love her. Remember all that nice stuff she said about me last week on my birthday? Well, you could say the same stuff about her, except it would be true. She is an angel, she is the best mom in the history of the world, and she is the best friend I could ever hope to have. I love every single thing about her, and I feel so blessed to get to spend eternity with her. Happy birthday, Bethy! I love you!

(P.S.–Make sure Bethy tells you all about what I got her for her birthday. I don’t want to brag or anything, but it was awesome.)

Bethy and I are sitting on a blanket at the Silverlake Amphitheater here in Eagle Mountain, waiting for BlackHawk (one of my favorite bands from my teenage years) to come onto the stage. We just heard one of my other old favorite, Little Texas, and other than the slightly depressing “aging country band” vibe, they were great. I’m excited for BlackHawk, and I am excited for the final band, Restless Heart, another band I used to really like.

But the reason I am blogging from my iPhone instead of waiting until we get home is the characters. Oh, the characters. There’s a creepy lady who looks to be in her mid-to-late 50s, who has been up front all night, even during the lousy opening band and the CDs playing between acts, dancing her creepy old heart out. She’s wearing tight leather pants and a gold sequin shirt. She only knows about three dance moves, so it always looks like no matter what song is playing, Chubby Checker is doing The Twist in her crazy old head. I tried to get a video and a picture with my phone, so if they work our, I’ll post them later.

There’s also a lady in front of us who laughs like Woody Woodpecker, and like most people with terrible laughs, she thinks everything is funny.

BlackHawk is starting, so I’ll write more when they’re done.

Okay, BlackHawk is done, and they were awesome. Henry Paul has a great voice, and he hasn’t lost anything over the years. (It probably helps that he was already old-ish when the band formed, so his sound was already established.) Anyway, more of the characters while we wait for Restless Heart. By my count, there are at least three ladies here whose main objective is to become impregnated by an aging country star (sorry, ladies, but judging by how out of breath the Little Texas dude got just from singing, I doubt that he’s up for extracurriculars). The best thing about these gals is that they are the type who … how do I put this delicately … well, let’s just say their strategy of wearing tiny clothes is not befitting their body types. (I know what I’m talking about when it comes to body types, too, which is why I chose NOT to wear a miniskirt and tube top tonight.)

Oh, there’s also a large motherly lady who was WAY too into “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy,” which is just icky. It reminded me of the lady at the Barry Manilow concert back in 2002 who, when Barry sang “When will our eyes meet, when can I touch you,” waved her large, flabby arms and screamed, “Right now, Barry!!!!!!!!” There are just some thing I don’t need to see or hear.

Well, Restless Heart is almost up, so I’ll finish up when we get home.

We’ve been working with Logan to fold his arms during prayers and tonight at dinner we asked him to fold his arms for prayer and he did it! All by himself! My little man is learning and getting so big! We started working on prayers with both of them once they turned one and I love to see them fold their arms. Little kids have such sweet spirits and we adults can learn so much from them!

Where has the time gone? Even though I’m not even remotely ready to have another one I still cannot believe that Logan is 15 months old! He is getting to be such a big boy! His doctor appointment went really well and he’s right on track. He weighs 25 1/2 lbs and is 33 1/4 inches tall. Our doctor has us fill out these questionnaires for every appointment and Logan is doing really well with his large and fine motor skills. We all know how much he LOVES to climb. The areas he was the lowest in were communication and social skills. He was still in the okay area so he’s not behind by any means. He did not enjoy the doctor touching him at all and screamed when he got his shots. I asked the doctor about the whooping cough and I guess it really is back! He said that Jeffy and I should go get a booster for it to help keep the kids safe but that really the kids are just as unsafe as ever. Right now I really don’t like people who don’t vaccinate. I know you have your reasons but come on! Now my kids are at risk for something that was almost obsolete. I could keep going but I’ll stop before I hurt somebody’s feelings. Anyway, so Logan is healthy and happy!