Grandma & Grandpa Barwick Visit Texas

It's been a over month since their visit and we are missing these two so much!

I can't even begin to say how much I LOVED having them here. Layla got to meet Grandma & Grandpa Barwick for the first time. She attached to them right away :)

This kid could not get enough of Grandma!

There were so many places we wanted to show them, definitely not enough time!
We took them to the Riverwalk and Alamo...

Spent over an hour at Buckeys gas station! There were so many sauces for Dad to look at!

We danced at Gruene Hall (long enough to take a few pictures :)

Had lunch at one of our favorite restaurants (Gruene River Grill)

Walked around Gruene and found these really cool chairs

Went to Landa Park

Fed the ducks

and played with the River Rats.

Grandpa got a little tired from all the running around. 

I was not looking forward to this moment. It went by way too fast!

 
I am so very thankful for my parents and their great example. They have taught me so much and raised me to be the person I am today. I am so glad my kids got to spend this time with  them. They loved having them here and were sad to see them go. We are all looking forward to their next trip to Texas!

Amaya's Baptism

Amaya was looking forward to this day for a very long time! 

And so was Mom & Dad!

Her Grandma & Grandpa Barwick were coming and  she was so excited about that. She asked them to give talks on Baptism and the Holy Ghost. They both gave such awesome talks, ones that I know she will always remember

I really regret not taking pictures of the setup, but this was on a table with a sign in book (a diary her Grandma  later gave her). For refreshments we had Truffles, pumpkin spice cookies, and Lemon cakes.

Amaya's friend "sister" Brooklyn gave the sweetest opening prayer

I am so very proud of this girl!!

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Halloween

Happy Belated Halloween! Thought I'd post some pictures of these cute (and scary) Trick-or-Treaters.

My Sweet Little Leapards

That may look like a cute little teddy bear, but beware, it's a really scary werewolf ;)

Can you guess who the Grimm Reaper is???

Amaya turns 8!

Can't believe this girl is 8 years old! Seems like yesterday she was running around in her Cinderella costume singing "Tooterella, Tooterella, you're as lovely as your name" I really miss those days! She is growing up way too fast.

She awoke to dozens of balloons in her room. She was so excited! She woke us up saying, "Thank you for all the balloons! You've made my birthday so special!" 
She had this outfit picked out weeks early.

She wanted chocolate chip oatmeal for breakfast. 
She thinks I'm the best mom in the world now for 
adding a candle ;)

She reminded me daily (many times daily) that she wanted this dalmatian beanie boo. Such a simple gift, but she was thrilled!

She knew what these were before she opened them, she said its because we always buy her what she wants for her birthday. One of these days I'm going to surprise her!

For dinner we had her favorite Orange Chicken. For dessert she didn't want the typical birthday cake. She even made me a recipe for it... 

She spells much better in Spanish, we're working on the English :)
She planned on having this after her Baptism, but decided she wanted it for her Birthday instead. She Cracks me up! I just love that girl to pieces!

My big helper

For the next few days I'll be trying to catch up on my posts. Stay tuned for... Amaya turns 8, Halloween, Amaya's Baptism, Grandma & Grandpa Barwick Visit Texas. My goal (It's a big one for me!) is to post at least once a week. I want to capture those little moments with my kids that are so easily forgotten. 

Today this little guy surprised me by making my bed! Who needs a maid when you've got this cute little guy around? I'm sure going to miss him when he heads off to Kinder next year!

Layla's blessing Day

I'm a terrible blogger, but you all know that by now. I'm feeling a little guilty about waiting so long to post about this special day, and although I will never forget it, I thought I better write about it while it's still fresh in my memory. This girl is growing up way too fast!

Layla was blessed by her Dad on July 29th (Yes, 3 months ago!) She was a little grumpy that morning, but I figured with a nap and full belly she'd be just fine. I was so wrong! She cried through the whole blessing. Fortunately, Grandma Madsen was there and was able to write down bits and pieces of the blessing. I was so focused on her crying I didn't hear much of what Riley was saying. He was so calm through it all. As soon as he sat down she stopped crying and was happy through the rest of the meeting. I think she wanted to give us something to remember :)

 

I'm Here and I Make 6!

Well, I thought it was time I shared with you my Adventure so far. I know it's been short but, so much has happened already! And I promise there will be so much for Adventure to share. Why? Because I decided I really like it here and I'm planning on staying for quite some time! Also because I'm a curious one with maybe a little mischief in me but, you'll have to wait and see. Now where should I begin?

I arrived on a Thursday, the 10th day of May at 11:43 AM. Mama did great getting me here even though I was a little scared, unsure about this grand new Adventure, and she had to work a little harder than she thought she would to get me started. I finally decided she was right, she is a smart lady after all, and I slipped my head out to say hello to the world. Hello World!!

I met a lot of people right away, sorry I don't remember who most of them were, I don't even think they ever told me their names. They were all super nice to me, mama and daddy must've told them how special I am. I don't really know if I'm special but mama and daddy tell me that a lot, they tell everyone else that too, I don't really think they would say something that wasn't true so I will go with "I'm special" for now, until I learn more about it for myself.

 When the doctors and nurses, that's what daddy called them, were finished with me I got to really meet mama and daddy. I can't believe how much they love me when they have only just met me. I can't believe how much I love them too!

This one will be doing whatever I say. Shhh.... Don't tell him I said that, it's a secret!


I took some time to look around and see what this place was all about but I've been awfully sleepy. Hey all this beauty requires it's rest, so don't judge me!

After a short nap and a bath I got to meet the rest of my family. They are going to be sharing this Adventure with me. I think I will learn a lot from them, I'll probably even teach them a trick or two of my own, you'll have to stay tuned to see.

I met my big sister Amaya, who I learned was soooo excited to meet me, I could feel how much she loved me the moment she first held me. She talks to me so sweet too, we are going to have more fun together than might be good for us.

My number one big brother, Damien, is so natural with me. He knows just what I need even though I can't tell him. He loves me a ton but he does it quietly. I may be having this one doing whatever I want just like daddy.

My li'l big brother Gabriel has been a little harder to read. I know he loves me because I remember him singing to me when I was in mama's tummy, now that I'm here, I think he might be too excited. He is so full of energy and I think he was expecting me to be as well. We will have lots to do together, he'll just have to be patient while I grow. This could be hard for him but I know he can do it.




After a good night sleep with mama in the hospital and what seemed like a long morning, filled with needles and tests, don't worry I was a tough girl and didn't cry, we finally got to come home. The car ride was fun. I didn't like being put in the chair at first, too many straps, but daddy told me it was to keep me safe so I put up with it. My new home is so much more cozy than that hospital, I'm glad I only had to be there for one day, I know mama and daddy are too. Home was so exciting, I had my first visitors, some friends of mama with their kids, they all wanted to hold me and I got a little scared when they started talking about wanting another baby for their family. I didn't want to leave my new family after so short a time. I was very relieved when they left and mama was still cuddling me, safe in her arms.








I even met the strange creature my family calls Telly.


 I don't know what to make of him. Is he excited or jealous, am I a toy to him or a playmate? Mama and daddy keep me safe from him for now but I think he might be fun when I am bigger.




All the excitement might have been a little much for me, the night got off to a rough start, I couldn't  sleep for more than 20 or 30 minutes without waking up. But finally I ate well and cuddled mama and after 2:30 I was out like a light until 7:30. Daddy was surprised and a little worried but that's just how I like it, keep him on his toes.


I am having so much fun! My family really takes good care of me, They also told me I have so many more family to meet. This was a neat surprise for me, I thought I had met my whole family, when they told me I had aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents (one who made me this beautiful blanket I'm on in the picture below) who loved me and were wanting to meet me I was so excited I had to make this blog to tell you all that I love you and am waiting to meet you too. I am a patient girl by nature but please don't make me wait too long. Until I get to meet you I will be well taken care of by mama, daddy and my big brothers and sister.

I'll say good-bye for now but we'll talk soon. I love you.


Layla Jade Madsen