Happy Fall!

Well today is the first official day of fall. This week Madison was awarded VIP again! The first time this year but it's probably the 5th time since first grade! She was recognized for "Participating in class and always showing good citizenship." Brynn and I got to go to lunch with her. We brought her and her friend a chocolate sundae.

This is her good friend Kennedy. They have special tables set aside where the VIP's and their families can sit. 

Brynley had fun watching all the kids in the lunch room!

Fall also bring soccer! Zach is playing again and loves it. He is not on the same team because he moved up an age group. He is now U8. He can play U8 for this coming spring and fall again. Then he will play big boy soccer on a full size field!

More action.

Madison during the game! She usually goes and plays on the the playground but it was a little cold and wet today, so she decided to read instead. She finished her book before the end of the game!

Brynley during the game! 

Well Travis was asked to help with coaching this season. The first picture here is the 2nd half of the game. He and the other coach have to be out on the field. Then the second picture here is at 1/2 time. Yes he is wearing an Oregon shirt and hat! We have had a lot of fires lately and this haze is normal. 

Well here's to a fun filled fall. I have already made cinnamon rolls, caramel apples and changed the Glade plug-in to Pumpkin Vanilla Spice!!

Remember This?

Does anyone else remember this? Travis looked at me funny and chuckled when I picked this up at a yard sale today for $5!

This nifty little chair hooks right up to the table! She thought she was so cool! Good bye highchair! 

She was so excited to sit next to Zachary. Now that she is 20 months (can you believe it? I can't!) She is in full blown toddler mode! She climbs up the back of the couch and flips over the top! She climbs on top of the table and dances! She will use a step stool to get what she wants. And she is currently in love with, ELMO, POOH and NEMO! 

So in short our house is very busy, chasing Brynn before she falls or get's into something she shouldn't! But we sure love her! 

Go Ducks!

Well College Football is upon us. More importantly Duck Football has invaded our house! This time of year is filled with excitement! We love our Ducks, and will watch them anyway we can. You can catch anyone of us sporting Duck gear most of the time, and when we go shopping or put and about we get some pretty dirty looks. But every once in a while we will run into a fellow duck fan here in Donkey Country!

Since the PAC-12 has it's own network now, and we don't get the network on cable, we had to get creative on where we could watch the game. Travis took about an hour looking on the internet to find the live feed of the game. He finally found it and this is where he sat for the whole game. He ate dinner here as well! 

Brynley was tried and wanted daddy to hold her. So here she sat for quite a while watching the game with dad! 

McDowell Family Reunion '12

I don't know why it has taken me so long to post about our family reunion?! Both of my sister in laws have done a post but I just haven't gotten around to it. So here it goes and I apologize if it's a little long!

The reunion started on Wednesday the 1st and ended on the 4th. We went rafting, picnicking, water parking, eating and a lot of family fun. There were 9 adults and 9 kids. 

On Thursday, we packed up and headed to Lake Lowell. We had a picnic lunch and played on the beach. Grandpa too most of the kids and taught them how to skip rocks.

Brynley and Mason are 6 months apart. As you can see, we made shirts this year! It was really fun to have something for everyone to take home and remember the fun time we had!

The cousins! In age order. Blake, Madison, Ashlyn, Zach, Mariah, Ryleigh, Mason, Brynley and Bailey.

Then later that afternoon we all went to Roaring Springs! My mother in law bravely brought her camera in the kid area! Here is Blake and Madison.

Me, Brynley and Zach. Brynn loved it. And wanted to go again and again!

Here is Travis and Mason.

Most every kid in the family loves to read. And Grandma brought a few books for everyone. She brought books for each kid at their own reading level. Madison was excited to get a stack of Box Car Children.

Most mornings after breakfast, we went outside before it got too hot!

It was Duck day for these three!

Zach was showing Grandma and Grandpa how he can ride his bike!

Mariah and Ryleigh taking a break! 

On Friday we spent the day on the Boise River!

We left the kids 3 and under at home. But these 3 got to come!

Our raft. Me, Travis, Mom, Dad, Madison, Zach and Ashlyn!

The rowing team! Travis and Dad did most of the rowing. Mom helped a bit too!

The other raft. Rick, Nicole, Shannon, Devin, Tammy and Blake! Blake was the only one brave enough to jump in the icy cold water!

That night all the adults went to dinner. We hung out on Saturday, then did Madison's baptism and a family BBQ. We ended the evening with ice cream and Family home evening. 

It was a fun week! And we were glad that everyone was able to come. We missed Tana and Nate!

The First Day 2012

Today was the first day back to school! Madison and Zachary were so excited that they had a hard time going to sleep, and Zach was up before we were! 

Madison started 3rd grade in the advanced placement class. She is a little nervous but we think she will do fine. She is excited to do more projects, and make new friends. 

Madison in front of her classroom door. Her teacher is slightly obsessed with Dr. Seuss!

Zachary is starting 1st grade. He is worried about math and most excited about eating lunch at school.

Zachary with his new teacher Mrs. Tomlinson

The traditional "ready to go" picture! Zach wanted to wear a hat to school!

Ryleigh wanted to be part of the morning action! She even got to go with us up to the school!

Ryleigh is a little sad that Zach won't be here! She gave him a hug before we left the school! It was really cute!

Ready to go! They wanted to ride the bus, but I insisted that I take them! They can ride tomorrow!

Outside of the school and ready to start the day!

It will be just me and the three little girls all day! Ryleigh 3, Brynn 19 months and Bailey 16 months! Here's to a great 2012-2013 school year! I'm sure they will do just fine if not better than last year!

Madison's Baptism 8/4/12

Since Madison turned 8 on the 27th, her baptism date was scheduled for August 4th. We decided to have it meet up with the McDowell Family Reunion that we hosted. That way Grandpa and Grandma McDowell could be here for it, as well as all of her cousins and aunts and uncles. 

In our Church when you reach the ripe old age of 8, you have reached the age of accountability. And you can make the decision to be baptized and become a member of the Church. Madison chose Travis to baptize her and Grandpa McDowell to confirm her and give her the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Here are Madison and Travis before they got changed into their jump suits!

Madison was so excited!

All ready to go! 

We then went into the Chapel (or sanctuary) for the opening song and talk on Baptism given by Brother Ricks. 

Sorry that there are no pictures, but we are not allowed to take pictures in the Chapel. 

Since there were 3 kids being baptized that day, there were a lot of friends and family for each of the kids. Madison's friend Meisha went first, then Madison then Ryland. 

Sorry that this is not a picture of Madison and Travis. But again we are not allowed to take pictures of this ordinance. But the Church has these staged pictures so you get the idea. 

We believe that Jesus Christ was and is the ultimate example to follow. He was baptized by John the Baptist. He didn't have to be, but chose to be. This is one of Madison's favorite pictures. 

This was such a special day for Madison and we are glad that she chose to make this Covenant with her Father in Heaven.

Madison asked Grandpa to be part of her big day. 

Congrats Madison on your big day, and thank you to all our friends and family that came to support her.

Madison turns 8!

I feel really bad about this late posting for Madison's 8th birthday!

But better late than never!

So here's how the day went.

This year 7/27 fell on a Friday, and Madison's best friend Kate was here for the day! There is nothing better than 2, 8 year old best friends sharing this day together. 

We started off with breakfast.

8 cinnamon rolls for the birthday girl!

Then Kate gave her a gift!

Matching outfits!! Madison was so excited!! Their shirts say "I Love My BFF!"
Sadly Kate has moved and will go to another school. The girls are pretty sad, but they were lucky to be able to spend their summer together!

Then on to some fun at the pool! 

I didn't take my camera into the pool area, so I took some before shots! They all were pretty excited!

Then off to dinner. This year we decided not to do the big joint party for the kids. We have been doing them since the kids were 3 and 1. So we told Madison that Kate could go to dinner with us at Red Robin! 

Waiting for dinner!

Madison willingly told the waiter that it was her birthday! They were out of helium, so they didn't tie balloons on her ears. She was still pretty embarrassed!
Then she enjoyed a free ice cream sundae!

It was such a fun day! I am glad that Madison is my first born. She is becoming such a smart and wonderful kid! She will be in the ALPS (advanced learning placement) class this year for 3rd grade. She is a little nervous, but I am sure she will be fine! 

Happy Birthday Madison!
We love you!