Ready for a Walk

We go walking rain or shine...so Madelyn is ready for a cold one.

Balloon

Madelyn and Yuka spent much of Thanksgiving weekend at Bonnie and Dale's house while we worked hard to get the Aloha Curves moved into and set up in the new location. We all went out to dinner together Saturday night for a little break.

Madelyn had so much fun with her balloon--she would shake the ribbon up and down so the balloon would bop off her head.

I guess that water was a little cold!

Water Bowl

Splish splash!

Apparently doggy toys are more fun than baby toys.

IKEA

They recently built an IKEA near the Portland Airport. If you're not familiar with these giant, intriguing, very family-friendly stores, they sell some cool and some hideous furniture and super-cheap household items. It used to be a three-hour drive to the nearest IKEA, but we made our first venture to the new store to pick up some things we needed for our new Curves facility.

Grandma and Madelyn checking out.

Another Curves Baby

My friend Melissa, who is a member at Aloha Curves, had her baby boy on Christmas Eve last year, so our kids are just about the same age. It's always fun to compare pictures and stories.

Just before we finally moved our Curves to a brand new facility, we had a little farewell party at the old place. We ran into Melissa and Carston there and the babies had fun playing with a few toys. Here Madelyn gives us a perfect view of that little FANG! I say she's half a vampire. Gary just aksed, "So which one of us is the vampire parent?" Hmmmm. (Double-click the picture for a close-up)

Happy Birthday Dad and Yuka!

We celebrated Yuka's and Gary's November birthdays with Gary's parents and brother, Greg.

Happy THIRTIETH birthday Gary!

Dad got a new DVD player from Bonnie and Dale, which we needed. Thanks you guys!

We're back!

11.21.07
SORRY it took so long to post these photos from our trip to Orlando. I hope you will enjoy them in chronological order by clicking here. Then just click "Newer Post" at the bottom of each post to watch the story unfold! Thank you for being loyal to Madelyn's humble blog!

Going Home!

These five busy days went by very quickly! Madelyn and I are ready to go home to Daddy. And MY dad met us and my mom at the Orlando airport, since the two of them stayed here and headed off to the Bahamas. (Lucky!)
Madelyn even gave her Grandpa a few kisses.

Waving goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa as they leave us in the terminal.

A few minutes after they left, a couple of fellow Curves owners from Portland walked over. They were taking this same flight home and were so kind to help us carry everything on board and get situated. I am so thankful for that generosity.
And here is a picture of the perfect flying companion. This was a nonstop flight (yes!) and Madelyn fell asleep before takeoff. She slept for the first three hours, then played happily in my lap for the last two hours. Can't complain about that!
Daddy and Yuka picked us up at the airport. We are so glad to be home with our family!

Wonderful Grandma

I truly enjoyed this "vacation" (business trip) with my mother and my daughter. Since Madelyn is my mother's tenth grandchild, it was very special to see them interact one-on-one and really bond as we spent this length of time together. And my mom always offered to help. I also loved this opportunity to spend time with Madelyn without the daily pressures of an endless to-do list. We had a great time (but we missed Daddy of course!)

Ready for Banquet

After the shower drama, we are finally all beautified and ready for the event.

Yes, the award presentation were long and a bit boring, but it's a little rude to fall asleep, Madelyn!
We had such thoughtful servers at our banquet table. They were very helpful and thought of everything we might need dining with a baby. One gal even brought a full dinner plate for Madelyn, which had plenty of food for me to cut up and feed to her. I was really appreciative of their kindness and consideration.

Shower Catastrophe

Saturday night is our big awards banquet and we get all did up for that. After Madelyn took a bath, it was my turn for a shower. But when I pulled up the valve on the tub faucet, said faucet torpedoed to the back of the shower, narrowly missing my leg. It was startling and frightening!

My mom called maintenance (using a much more calm tone than I would have!) while I donned a robe, gathered all my showering supplies, and ran four wings down the hall to Lana and Melinda's room to borrow their functioning shower.

I think my mom took this picture while I was gone: naked baby corralled during our misadventure.

Splashing in the Pool

We finally got to really enjoy this beautiful Florida weather and hit the pool! A little fountain pose

There are four pools at this resort, including this "family pool." It starts at zero depth so you can wade in.

Madelyn and Lana had a blast splashing away in the water!

My favorite picture from our vacation

Bobby Carrot

I think every parent needs a never-fail mood-changer: ours is Bobby Carrot.

One of the games on my cell phone (called Bobby Carrot, of course) plays its theme song over and over on its menu screen. When Madelyn is in a bad mood or so clingy that I can't change my socks, I can turn on that song and she is completely entranced.

She loves Bobby Carrot! (As do I)

More Meetings

Ready for more exciting announcements and motivation from Curves International, Inc.

Madelyn and I both went to the room for a nap during the first breakout session (she only napped in her little crib twice on this trip--the rest of the time she slept for a few minutes here and there in my arms or Grandma's). But I wanted to attend the breakout session directed to multi-club owners. We were in a smaller room for breakouts, so Madelyn and I sat in the back on the floor. She's checking out the PowerPoint outline.

Curves Party

Friday night we enjoyed the Curves party : fancy desserts and live music on the terrace

These are a couple of friends and fellow Curves owners from Oregon City, OR

Mel held Madelyn while I savored my delectable treats. Then Grandma took her back to the hotel room and Mel, Lana and I stayed to dance!

Fun with Auntie Lana

They had some fun playing on the bed

And Lana is blessed to be the recipient of some of Madelyn's very first intentional kisses!

tickles!

Convention Session

Kristen, Madelyn, and Grandma getting ready for a long meeting! (And doesn't she looked thrilled?)

Playing with Auntie Lana during a break

And trying to shut her up...a futile effort? Hmmm... :-)

Giving Mom a little hat

And all tuckered out, sleeping through the last part of the session. Gotta love the rainbow leg warmers!