Sunday walks...

 Sundays are our days.

We try not to have any media interruptions, sports or parties so we can 

reconnect with our kids. 

And because we have so many kids, we have to split them up and try and have some one

on one time with each of them. 

The little girls love hikes, walks and talks. 

Here was a few fun pix of our walk this past Sunday...

American Girl INSANITY!

The girls and I went on a date and decided to visit the American Girl store at the mall. I was never into American Girl dolls or maybe I am too old and they didnt have them when I was younger BUT I had no idea how crazy some people are about those dolls! There was a cafe where you sit by your dolls and have them eat with you. 

We gave in and had a small tea party, hot cocoa and finger sandwiches.

The dolls had no manners and didn't touch their food! 

At least we got to use the conversation cards placed at the tables.

And...

SERIOUSLY?

A salon for the dolls?

I wasn't prepared financially to participate in all that this store offered (I would have to take a small loan out, seriously when I went to pay the woman in front of me had a total of $1250.00!!)

I did break down and get the dolls ears pierced and hair done.

It was a blast to see how excited the girls were and was a great date!

I did need to come and put my feet up after having to walk and run and look and see

EVERYTHING there

with my cute girls!

Happenings...

I ran my2nd race of the year, yay for me. Maybe for one of my races it won't be 20 degrees and freezing!

McKay was wrestling and the other kids tooth sliced his eyelid open.

He needed two stitches and I'm sure we will be receiving a million dollar ER bill but it is healing great!

Jason and I took the girls to an Atlanta Hawks game, they had a blast and cheered so loud! Hailey would say, 'Go team, go team...hey mom what team do we want to win?' 

It was pretty darn cute.

Savvy caught a falling t-shirt, it's as big as she is but she was thrilled!

Good times!

Thanksgiving school celebrations...

The week before Thanksgiving was so busy with perfomances, parties and Thanksgiving luncheons...as busy as it was, I am so glad I could attend all of my kids celebrations! I love the look on kids faces when they see their parents arrive at school, they get so excited!

Thanksgiving lunch, performance with Savvy-

Carson's choir performance....

Can you tell by the look on his face how much he likes chorus? haha!

Thanksgiving lunch with Logan-

Hailey's Thanksgiving lunch, performance..

Ashley our artist...

Our family is lucky to have some seriously awesome artists. They get all of their talent from their dad because I can't even draw stick figures. Ashley is amazing. She applied, gathered her portfolio, wrote a paper and interviewed for an amazing month and a half art program. She was the only person under 17 accepted into the program.  She would sketch models, take pictures of objects and then draw them, she created pictures with poems.... they did some pretty amazing things. Here is a sample of some of the art she created. 

This drawing was created from a picture she took of a real motorcycle. It was the only one chosen to be displayed for a year in a government building. We are so proud of her!

We are proud of you Ashley, now can you teach your mom a thing or two about art? 

Hailey's Birthday...

Our little Hailey turned 4 and of course we had to go to Chuck E Cheese!

The part that cracked me up was the cake she chose. She was adamant about getting a 'Back to School' cookie cake- so funny! 

She sure loves frosting, especially if it turns your mouth blue!

 

She loves to sing and gave us a little performance at Chuck E Cheese. She made up the song she is singing and called it ' I've got my eye on you '

Grandma Carol was able to celebrate with us too! 

We love you little Hailey!

Swim Team MADSEN

I signed 5 of my kids up for swim team this year and within seconds of doing so I heard whining, complaining, crying, anger- you name it. They have never been on any swim team so I thought it would be good for them to try it since our neighborhood pool is right by our home! 

At first they hated it and couldn't swim very well but by the end?

They became amazing swimmers and were begging to go to swim practice, they loved it!

They all placed in their swim meets every time-

Savvy and Hailey couldn't compete but loved taking lessons.

Now we go a couple times a week and I do their swim workouts with them..

let's just say I'm no Michael Phelps but it is a great workout!