Spring Break

Jeff had some time off this week for Spring Break, so we took off for the weekend and went up to Buellton to visit the grandparents. It was a grand time of tomfoolery and shenanigans.
Showing Grandma how it's done on the golf course.

Maddox spent a little time helping Grandpa with his work. Maddox said he was taking measurements, and that everything he measured was exactly 245.

Maddox and Daddy up to their old tricks.

We went to see some miniature horses, and I decided that we should buy one. It can sleep in the bathtub and roam around the living room. Jeff didn't agree.

Maddox got to meet Josephine, a little colt born just two weeks ago.

The Kreil family ready to chow down on some sushi!

The sushi chef brought over a bowl of whole prawns and taught Maddox how to break the heads off and shell them. Maddox ate the whole bowl.

(FYI - Maddox regularly wears the cape and the goggles, and says he's Aquaman. He's not short on personality.)

Spring Has Sprung!

Great news! Spring has sprung around here and we have a new camera to capture all the magic ... like this beautiful flower blooming in my patio!

3 Years Old

Time sure does fly by! I simply can't believe that Maddox is 3. It seems like just yesterday that I was trying to train him to sleep through the night and play gently with the dogs. (Okay - we're still working on playing gently with the dogs.)

On Mad's birthday, we had a few aunts, uncles and cousins over for a little birthday dinner and strawberry shortcake. Maddox made out like a bandit with lots of new toys!
Maddox and Uncle Andre opening Grandma and Grandpa's gift, while they look on from the computer.

Skyping with the grandparents.

It was time to trade in the tricycle, so Mommy and Daddy got Maddox a new big boy bike.

The Kerchie's made sure Maddox got plenty of new weapons for his arsenal.

Opening more presents, and thoroughly enjoying being the star of the show.

Here's a video of Maddox learning how to ride his bike. As soon as we get a new camera, I will record him riding now. It just took a couple days to really figure out how to get those pedals moving, and now he's an expert!

We are humbled every day that God has given us the privilege of being this amazing kid's parents! Maddox is pure joy! Happy 3rd birthday, Buddy.

Sneaky Leprechauns

Even though I don't have any pictures to prove it (we still haven't replaced our camera), we have had a great St. Patty's Day today!

Maddox woke up this morning and instantly started bouncing on his bed asking if the sneaky leprechauns had played any tricks on us during the night. As a matter of fact, they had! Maddox found green milk at the breakfast table this morning and green jello in the fridge. His lunch apples even had magic green sprinkles! Those silly leprechauns got us good.

It Was A Good 8 Years

It had a good run, but the camera we bought over 8 years ago finally bit the dust. By the time it died it had no front panel, just an exposed lens. It was a sad, pathetic sight, but it still worked.

When I told Becky of our camera's unfortunate demise, she was less than sympathetic. I believe her exact words were, "It's about time. That thing's been on its last legs for years."

The sad departure occurred right before Maddox's 3rd birthday, so we are waiting to get some pictures and video from Andre's camera because you have to see this kid ride his new bike!!

We are shopping for a new camera now, but in the meantime, here's an old video of baby Maddox to hold you over. Please notice (a) how fat he was (b) how blond his hair gets in the summer (c) how fat he was (d) my favorite part that comes in the last second of the video!

Current Events and Politics

This morning, Maddox and I saw a clip of President Obama on TV. Maddox said, "Hey! We know that guy ... Tiger Woods!"

Something tells me the First Lady wouldn't appreciate the implication.

King Josiah

Yesterday in Bible class, Maddox got to play King Josiah, the child king of Judah who began his reign at just 8 years old. He's been telling me all day, "King Josiah says don't worship idols, only worship God."

I just keep waiting for him to run around the house smashing everything he considers an idol.
Sorry about the picture quality. This photo was taken on a phone and emailed to us later. But, you can just make out the cutest little Josiah ever.