Best Day Ever!

Yesterday was a day to remember, fun from beginning to end! 

Swimming!

We started the day with Madeline's second swimming lesson.  We love the time in the pool and Maddy really looks forward to it!  Of course we help by hyping it up, but we mean every positive word we say about it, since it's fun for us, too!  I think Steve's a little jealous since I've been in the pool with Maddy both times, but he'll get his turn next week.  She's getting good at saying "Swimming" too! All three of us go to the Northeast Community Center for the classes, which makes it a lot easier for getting Madeline ready and for changing her clothes afterward (the "dry" parent can save a dressing room and change Maddy after class).

After swimming, we went out to brunch at East Burn, the local restaurant where I hold my monthly meetings for the MS Society.  We've never been there for brunch, and we were in for quite a treat! The food was excellent, Maddy was on her best behavior, and it wasn't too busy!  We'll head back there for brunch for sure.

After Madeline's nap, we headed to Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) where we met up with our friends Eric and Melissa Gregorich and Brendan, Megan, Riley and Kieran Flynn.  We had a great time!  I'd never seen the "Science Playground" (for kids 0-6) before, and it was a sight to see.  Kids everywhere and so much fun!

 We started in the water area.  Riley, Madeline and Kieran spent quite awhile at this water funnel!  Luckily OMSI has smocks for the kids to wear while playing in the water area (but they still get wet!)

Madeline in the wildlife area

Coloring with Daddy!

  

 

Kieran and Maddy: buddies!

 

There was a "Wind Turbine" exhibit that was also a lot of fun.  At this spot, wind blew up out of this circle and you could make paper cones to place in the wind, then watch them go up, up, up! Madeline really enjoyed this spot!

We also went out for appetizers and drinks afterwards, AND MADDY HAD HER LAST BOTTLE...YEA!!!

Megan and Kiean in the Ball Rom

Eric and Maddy

Me and Kieran

GG (Great Grandma)

I love seeing Madeline with her Great Grandma (fondly known as "GG").  Madeline is Grama Shirley's eighth great grandchild, which is so wonderful.  Maddy loves GG so much, as you can see!
 

Maddy loves GG!

Madeline showing off her Lion and Crocodile

 

Family Time

Over the holidays Madeline Rose played with lots of cousins and had so much fun!  We saw all of the Faust side of the family and from the Sebastian side we saw all but the Allinson clan (who we missed dearly!)

Mike, Jan and Tom holding all the Faust cousins (Eli, Madeline, Leah, Anton, Colin and Jana)

While in the Twin Cities, we stayed with Jeff, Sara, Jana and Colin, so Madeline, Jana and Colin had lots of play time together. Jana and Colin had a little competition going: who could teach Maddy more new words.  Priceless!

"Relaxing"

Maddy and Jana

Maddy and Colin, deep in conversation

 Madeline learned a lot from her cousins and we enjoyed seeing them play together. I'm so glad we had a lot of down time to spend with each other!

Joel, Silver and Anali were at Mom and Dad's (Grandmom and Granddad Sebastian) when we arrived on Christmas Eve.  Madeline had so much fun playing with Anali!  She especially enjoys when her older cousins read to her.

 

Happy Cousins!

Great Grandma ("GG") with Madeline and Anali

Jon, Amy, Benjamin and Gabi arrived at Mom and Dad's the day our family needed to head back to the Twin Cities, but we were able to spend a few hours together, which made all of us happy.  We opened presents and caught up with each other.

Madeline, Gabi and Benjamin

Ben with Leah and Eli

  Here are more family photos from the holidays!  We enjoyed seeing everyone, eating so much good food and celebrating together. Thank you for a wonderful time.

Leah and Madeline

Sister Eunice, Steve and Madeline

 

Susan and Tom

Jan and Mike

Uncle Bob reading to Madeline

Granddad and Maddy

Aunt Silver and Madeline

Grandmom and Madeline Rose

Uncle Joel playing with Madeline

 

A "Beavis" for Grandmom  : )

Me, Madeline and Jon (with Benji and his rabbit ears!)

Anali, Grandmom and Maddy

Me, Madeline and sleepy Anali

Uncle Jon and Maddy

Goofball Maddy

Grandma reading to Maddy and Eli

Benji, Madeline and Aunt Amy

Tom and Jana

Ben and a tired Anton

Mike and Leah

Jan, Eli and Leah

Faust family time

Steve, Shelly, Leah and Ben

All Things Christmas

Baby Claus!

What an incredible holiday season!  We started celebrating early and continued on through the New Year!  Our annual cookie party was a success and the kids enjoyed decorating the cut-out cookies again this year.  Our trip to Minnesota was filled with family time and fun activities.

Cookie Party 2012

Rohin, Olivia and Madeline

Opening gifts from Mommy and Daddy

...and wooden fruit and veggies!

Yea! Alphabet Magnets!

Snow Sculpture in Duluth (21st Ave E.)

Christmas Morning: Santa's cookies and milk are gone!

Maddy as our own Elf on a Shelf