Locks of Love Haircut

Yesterday Maddie had her hair cut for Locks of Love.  If you've never heard of this organization, Locks of Love provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.   Maddie did this about two and a half years ago and has been growing her hair since that time.  We're so proud of her giving spirit and we always encourage and recognize this as a selfless act of giving.  This time Maddie was joined by one of her best friends who also cut her hair for Locks of Love.  See the before and after photos below.

The last moments of long hair at the salon

Two long-haired sweet girls

Braided and ready for cutting

Cut and washed... ready for styling the new look

Short and sassy

One last look at the long hair

Two short-haired sweet girls

Happy 2nd Birthday Luke!

Our big boy turned two a few weeks ago.  We celebrated turning two with two parties... one on his actual birthday with Mom, Dad and Maddie and another party the following weekend with visiting Grandma and friends.  We can't believe how fast time flies... too fast!

Is it just us, or does this boy get cuter all the time?

Luke and Dad... the night before his 2nd birthday... Luke's last day being 1!

Photo taken during Luke's birthday meal... see the ketchup and mustard!

Luke says, "I'm two!"

Luke, Maddie and Mom

Luke's sea creature birthday cake - and yes it was REALLY good

C'mon Luke... you can do it... blow!

Luke enjoys his birthday cake... or at least the icing

The ice cream is yummy too

Grandma, Luke and Maddie

Luke opens gifts with interested onlookers

Lots of kids

Happy Birthday banner

California Summer Vacation

We recently visited California for a week of fun and relaxation.  The weather was cool (maybe a little too cool) but we enjoyed every minute and reminded ourselves that it would be much hotter at home when we returned.  We spent some time on the beach and in the condo pool (it was heated).  We also visited LegoLand for 3 days - lots of fun.

As usual the kids had a blast...and as usual the parents had fun watching the kids have a blast.  Enjoy some memorable, cute, and funny photos from our adventure!

Maddie and Luke in flower garden

Pretty as a flower

Luke, don't pick the flowers!

Ahhh the sweet smell of flowers...

Angela and kids pose at the start of another fun day at LegoLand!

Maddie, Harry Potter and Hagrid

Maddie and Luke on safari car ride... Luke checks the seat belt for proper tightness

Same ride... different day.  This was Luke's favorite ride!

Oh no.. Maddie has been eaten by a giant Lego lion!

Luke climbs railing at the pier.. notice the rules!

Luke gets messy sharing a banana split with Dad

 

Maddie enjoys a brownie sundae

Dad is a passenger while the kids fly this plane!

Maddie pilots her boat smoothly... Mom struggles with Luke (no seatbelt on this ride!)

Pausing for a picture at LegoLand.

The most fun way to go "shopping" for strawberries

Luke and Dad pick the perfect strawberry

Maddie waist deep in strawberries

Luke picks flowers for Mom and Maddie

Luke plays in the sand

Maddie finding critters on the beach

Luke and Dad rinse off in the water

Luke empties the sand bucket for Maddie

Maddie and friends at the beach

An after dinner walk on the beach becomes messy (mostly for Maddie)



Two huge fake smiles

The two cutest kids at Legoland

Kisses and Hiding in Bed

It's hard to tell who gets the most enjoyment out of this... Maddie or Luke (or maybe it's Mom and Dad)?  These two are so cute together.  Scenes like this are a daily occurrence... so cute!

Maddie's First Piano Recital

Today was Maddie's first piano recital.  She played "Musette" by Leopold Mozart.  We're so proud of her.  Watch, listen and enjoy.

And a few photos of Maddie in her new fancy dress and shoes.

New shoes (high heels) and a fancy new dress

All smiles after a successful recital performance

Maddie and Mom pose after the recital

It was a great day!

Maddie Earns Her Yellow Belt!

After 2 months of karate classes, Maddie tested for and earned her yellow belt today!  She has worked very hard to learn the required skills and memorize the different techniques.  She really enjoys the classes and feels very proud of her accomplishment.  Mom and Dad are proud too!  Next goal: orange belt!  Go for it Maddie!

Maddie warms up for her belt test (notice the white belt with 2 blue tips)

Maddie kicks during belt testing - check out that form!

Maddie after belt testing (notice the new yellow belt) - don't mess with this girl!