Red...my new favorite color!

I had to add this since I just love the red vibrancy of this ivy that was all over the building. I'm so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who paints such a beautiful picture for me to enjoy. It's all about the small moments in life!

Fun Day!

Madison played outside while I took pictures of the trees. I decided she was a lot more entertaining!

She decided to stand in the middle of the picture I was taking so I snapped this:-)

Brian took this. It's been a while since I was in front of the camera.

I love the Maple leaves here...at least I think it's a maple leaf:-)

This was caught in this tree by our front door. I thought it looked fun.

Scenic

Do you notice anything about this photo? There isn't a step or a walkway to the front door. This is typical New England and it was on my mission too. I love how they have brightly painted front doors.

I love Vermont in the Fall. It seems to have better foliage than NH...I don't know though:-)

This is a church in Hanover and below is the famous Baker Tower.


I loved the Ivy on this building. I think it's a dorm for the undergrads at Dartmouth. It's so vibrant!

New England Fall!

I love the red barns and with the foliage it's beautiful. There is a rock wall in both bottom corners which are found all over the place. As people would farm every year there would be a new crop of rocks that they would then stack on their property to clear the land for planting.

I loved the yellow against the green!

I love how the barn reflects in the water!

Fall Foliage!

This is a picture of the leaves on the trees in our back yard. Today we took a tour around and captures some New England type pictures. I am trying to post them, but it's not happening. This is the only one it would upload. I'll keep trying. I love the Fall here!!!!

Tagged awhile ago...

Sorry Lisa...took me a while to respond.

10 years ago I:
was still in High school where diapers, spit up, blowouts, nursing, giggles, bottles, babies, husbands, pregnancy, jobs, and cute children didn't exist. I thought about me all the time and played softball, basketball, and hung out with friends. Life was all about parties, having fun, and getting good grades. It was great, but I wouldn't ever want to go back! I love where I am at now.

5 things on today's "to do" list:
Get dressed (no I'm not dressed for the day yet), grocery shopping, play with Madison, make my bed, put my friends side view mirror back on or at least get the parts (I knocked it off)

5 snacks I enjoy:
Fruit, avocado shakes, frozen bananas, blueberries, and home made wheat bread with butter and honey

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
Travel, pay off our debt from Medical School, Get a good Camera and lens, Help family and friends, fly family and friends here to visit us during the fall foliage season! It's so beautiful here!

5 places I have lived:
Zachary LA, Provo UT, St. John's Newfoundland Canada, Rexburg ID, West Lebanon NH

5 Jobs I have had:
Hostess at Jamestown Assisted Living, Assistant to the President at Gerrish Honda, Reading tutor at BYU-I, Bagger "do you want paper or plastic? In the back seat or the front? Have a nice day.", Salsa Maker at Days Market

I tag whoever wants to do this...I love learning about people and what they enjoy!

5 1/2 Months of Pure Joy!

There are a few things I love about Abby that I thought I would post:

Smiles
Smells Good
Her laugh (it's a new person!)
She is happy when I wake her up
She stops crying when Madison sings to her
Sometimes she just wants to be held
Good eater
Will go to anyone
Is so alert that I actually think she is listening when I talk to her
Is easy going
Is crawling the commando way (is so cute to watch scoot on her belly)
Loves Madison and watches her every move
I love nursing her because she pulls on my hair and hoodie strings and always looks up and me

Baby is doing what?

This is what I was greeted with when I walked into the bathroom. She was sitting there just as good as could be and doing her thing. Madison is obsessed with the bathroom toilet as of late and loves to have her baby do everything she does. Did I mention she was in the bathroom getting ready to go into what she calls "the big girl potty"?

Dartmouth Football!

Saturday was a fun filled day of running kids around, going to the Dartmouth Football Game with friends, watching M play field hockey, and then out to eat at a Chinese Restaurant. I was fully exhausted, but had fun! It's fun having Brian home. Madison loves it and is spoiled by his presence.

Brian's Second Attempt

Brian's First Attempt

Apparently they changed the swing and Brian didn't make it on his first attempt. Try it again we say!

River Fun!

We had a blast down the Connecticut River! Madison had to paddle too. She held on to it the entire time!

This is how Abby travels...we laid her on the bottom of the canoe! She loved it!

Cookies...to keep them happy!

Call it a day...

I could look at this picture all day. It has so much emotion and evokes so much emotion in me. What an angel! I love being a mom!


Today we went canoeing down the Connecticut River and Madison had a blast! We will post pictures from that later...my friend took the pics (she was brave enough to bring her camera on the water in a kayak). After canoeing I had a shoot and so in order to not be late we all went. While I was taking pictures, Brian, Madison, and Abby went exploring. They ended up crossing the White River and part of the Connecticut. This is how they came back to me when I was done with my shoot. I can't tell you how much I love to see a sleeping baby and in the arms of her daddy just melts my heart even more.

Riverview Farms Apple Picking!

What is so tasty about a strap? I don't know, but Abby will find one anywhere she goes. It's her personal favorite. I guess it fells good on the teeth. Madison will say while chewing on something, "For me teeth. Hurt so I chew like abby does."

Madison loves the apples and will eat them all the way down to the core. She's my girl!!!!

Can I just say I love the fall here. We had our annual Apple Picking, Apple dipping in our backyard the other day. We went to Riverview farms and got Honey crisp apples (the best tasting apples in the world!) and then came back and had Carmel and tons of different toppings to dip it it. Thanks to all those who came and brought a topping. We had graham crackers, m&m's, cookies, nuts, coconut, etc. It was a child's paradise! It was so fun to get to know more people and have a get together before it gets too cold and everyone is forced to hibernate.

Funny Sayings...

S: "I can't wait to go camping. I want to roast marsh mellows by a fire."
M: "Can you be patient?"
S: "Yes."
M: "Good."
This was out of the blue, but I guess I ask her to be patient all the time, so it was her turn.

M: "I go and get my book ok mommy? I be back."

M: "I not say no, no, no. I not run parking lot. Get hurt. That bad. I say ok mommy."
She has been yelling 'no' at me lately so we keep on having talks about it and so on the way to the grocery store today I asked her is she was going to be good and this is the line she gave me. We have been working on our listening skills and for her to say 'ok mommy' when I tell her it's time to go or come here.

Brian was getting Madison ready for bed and she decided she needed to go to the bathroom first. Then when she got off the toilet she began doing stretches all over the house. She would lean up against a wall and pretend to stretch her calves and then go over to a chair and do the same thing. Brian and I were just laughing! She was completely naked which made it even more funny!

Best Dad Award!

In just a few words, this is what happens when it's time to wind down and go to bed. Run around, tackle, tickle torture, run around, scream, laugh, jump on daddy, Daddy throwing Madison up in the air, Madison being hung by feet upside down, more screaming, laughter, daddy pretends to sit on Madison, squealing in delight, screaming, chase daddy, run away, come back and tag daddy, run away, scream and laugh at the same time (kids know how to do this), FINALLY sit down, eat a snack, read a book, laughter, pointing to pictures, quiet time, prayers, brush teeth, get in PJ's, more laughter, songs, peace and quiet. Now I have my husband back. No wonder Madison prefers daddy to mommy when it's time to go to bed.

For any of you not familiar with the games Madison and Brian play, this first one is where Brian grabs Madison and she has to kiss his hand or arm for him to stop. Once she kisses his body part, it becomes limp. She then takes a turn at being the one to attack daddy:-)


This one is where Madison acts like a bull and runs through the blanket!


This one is a favorites of Madisons and it seems she can never get enough of it. Madison will hide under a blanket and Brian pretends not to see her and sits down on top of her. She then uncovers herself laughing and screaming which in turn causes Brian to leap in the air whooping and hollaring. It's pretty hilarious to watch. Then Madison decided it was her turn and so she attempted to climb up and sit on Brian who was hiding under the blanket.


Here she is screaming and laughing in delight!

And finally the calm down book reading time. No wonder Madison goes straight to bed at night...she is just plum tuckered out. I just love to watch her and Brian play together. It's one of those great moments that make parenthood the BEST!!!! I have the best husband!





Today while sitting around the dinner table Madison started to do her pensive face which got Brian started! He would tell her to do her funny face, pensive face, do what daddy does (where he puts one arm out and bends the other...it's his signature move), do the Brad (roll up sleeves and flex arm muscles), do the surprised face. To every request Madison complies and gets us laughing. She was done by the time I got the camera out, but it's becoming a dinner ritual so I am sure I will get it next time. She is so fun and loves to make us laugh. She will do just about anything.

What did I miss?

I am teaching RS next Sunday and have been studying the lesson "Daughters of God" by Elder Ballard and there is a point he makes that has had me thinking for the past two weeks. He says, "recognize the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction." Then he shares a story of a mother who was looking at a photograph taken when her children were very young and they were having a picnic. She says she couldn't remember what they ate, what they talked aboutt, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. She says, "I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the nest thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less." As I have thought about this and tried to emulate it I have had some sweet moments and times with Madison. I try and be in the moment and not there with my mind somewhere else. I have read books with Madison, watched her play, memorized her smile and funny faces, and tried to listen and play with her like Brian does. It's been humbling and amazing! I thought I would just pass it on. I want to frame the quote so I always remember. Madison is asking me to come and play with her on the bed, so I must go:)

Bad Mom Award!

Two days of Abigail boycotting naps and Madison loosing it at the drop of a hat was really starting to get to me. I couldn't figure out why when I would lay Abby down, she would be asleep and then 15 minutes later wake up screaming. She could scream for 2 hours!!! I know this because I let her one day! Then she wakes up throughout the night, is not a happy camper during the day, and takes cat naps in the car only to awaken when I transfer her to the crib. What is wrong with her!!!! I am having glimpses of the future of a napless 5 month old who can run on less sleep than me (if that isn't a nightmare I don't know what is). So, during church today Abby starts grabbing her ear so much that it's red and has scratches all around it. The light finally goes on 'ear infection'. Why didn't I pick up on this sooner!!! Bad mom award right? Well, at the doctors office they tell me it just has fluid and no infection, but that can cause some pressure and make her uncomfortable. The doctor tells me this can go on for weeks:-) So, home we go and I give her tylenol and she is back to her old self.

Can't beat sun and a popsicle!!!

Madison and I had some time to play with the camera. I was trying to take pictures of things to sell on craigslist and Madison was demanding I take her picture! This is a dream come true for a photography addicted mother:-) So we took some and had fun. Madison was making faces at my request. Try and figure out which is which.
*silly
*funny
*surprised
*daddy face
*say daddy!

We Got the BOOT!!!

Boxes, packing, trucks, moving, can't find anything syndrome, etc. We found out they are renovating our apartments and we are to move by January first. We might be able to move back into these same apartments this summer...but on the bright side, we get a nicer apt. for the same price. That means more counter space, a bigger kitchen, a living room AND dining room, big bathroom with cupboards, more storage space (Brian has made clear we don't need to fill the space:-), and a storage closet outside of the apt. Brian has off these next few weeks, so we will moving in then. I try not to think about it. I wanted to just move once and be out of here! I have mixed feelings, but try and just focus on the positive!

Madison the Mechanic

I was changing the oil on our Honda and Madison wanted to change the oil on her car. She cried for the ramps and then would drive her car up, look under the car, go and get a tool from the toolbox, and then come back and fix it. It was so cute!


She was doing what I did while trying the drive the car onto the ramps. I had to hang my head out the window since I didn't have anyone there to tell me when to stop:-)


Here's Madison attempting to pull the car onto the ramps. I ended up having to help her.


She fixed her car just fine! She's a McVea through and through:-)

Handicap only!!!!

Ok, so whenever I post a comment on someone's blog and have to enter in the word verification that has a handicap wheelchair icon by it I fail!!!!! What is that implying? I have to do it two and three times...after failing this many times, I decided to take that little option off my blog. If someone can turn on a computer, type in the website URL, read my blog, click on the comment button, and leave a comment, I assume they are pretty capable. If the purpose it to stop people from posting rude, nasty comments why would typing in a few crazy, hard to identify let alone read, letters in a box stop them from doing it? What is the purpose of the word verification than to just make people feel stupid? I'm just glad that when I post a comment it doesn't say how many attempts it took to get the word verification right. Just had to vent my frustrations!!!! Anyone know the purpose of it? I am interested to know.

Madison's Castle

Brian was crammed in the "hot, sweaty, stinky" house he built. Those are the words he used when describing what it felt like in there. Then he invited me in! Tempting I know, but I restrained myself and took pictures instead:-)

This picture is really grainy since I left my camera on a different setting...anyway, you get the picture! Madison loved it and Brian even made her a window to look out of. She was so proud of her house. Brian is such a good daddy!!!!!

Sunday Madness

When did I get in trouble the most growing up? It would be after Sunday nap. My brothers and sisters and I would have this burst of energy and since it was Sunday and we were supposed to be keeping the Sabbath day holy, we got BORED! Let me explain. We did things like:
1. have pillow fights
2. stuff pillows up our shirts and run around trying to knock each other down by hitting the other person in the stomach (like sumo wrestlers)
3. Make concoctions with anything we could find in the fridge and dare a sibling to drink it. Ewww gross!
4. Have towel whipping wars where you would wet the tip of a kitchen hand towel and flick it at a sibling. It inevitably left welts and someone always ended up crying to mom...won't say any names:-)
5. Built huge amazing forts using every blanket, chair, sofa cushion, broom, etc. Then we wouldn't clean it up.
6. Full on tag wrestle where two are in the ring and wrestle until they get tired and tag another person to come in the ring (usually drawn with chalk on the carpet) and take their place.
Every once in a while we would do nice things like bake cookies and deliver them to friends or write missionaries letters. But no matter what we would almost always get in trouble for being too rowdy, silly, hurting someone, etc. We didn't understand it then, but I'm sure we never really made it a day of rest for my parents. Good times and good memories. What brought this on was watching Brian and Madison holding up pillows while standing on the bed running into each other and pushing each other down. Then I turn around 5 minutes later to Madison saying, "Look at our house." Brian had made a house on our bed using pillows, sheets, and cushions from downstairs. It wasn't the best construction and it fell. Madison was almost it tears as she said, "You broke our house." Brian then moved the party to downstairs and I have yet to see what they are building. I hope it's sturdier than the first one:-)

Tagged!!!

I got tagged by Lori...well, I think it was me, Sarah is a common name! If it wasn't me, then you just learned new things about me:-)

3 joys, 3 fears, 3 current obsessions/collections

3 joys:

Finding the dishes done in the morning from dinner and not having done them myself!

When Madison tells me, "thank you for making breakfast."

The feeling I get AFTER I've gone running (not before or during:-)

3 fears:

Losing my children or leaving them in the car or some gas station

Getting pregnant again

Brian not wanting to be a doctor after all these years of medical school:-)

3 current obsessions:

Photography...it's like eating the homemade cantaloupe ice cream

Blogging:-)

Going to ice cream 4 U!!! It's soooo good. I swear I dream about it. I love the 'nuts for coconut'

I tag

Lacey, Seth, Emily B., Brianna, and Cimbrian

"All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth!"

Madison was reading Abby stories on the couch until I pulled out the camera. She threw her book on the floor and refused to read anymore. Abby was undeterred as you can tell from her big smile she's sporting:-)


Then Abby just decided to read on her own:-)


Abby now has her two front teeth. Ok, so she got her first one on the 23rd of August and then the other one a week later. She is so cute when she smiles and you can see her teeth. She is quite proud of them.

Madison did this for me the other day. She bent over and was facing away from me trying to say hi. So try and picture her with her head still down, bent over, and trying to turn so she can see me. It was quite funny.