The Crapo Family Blog

Strawberry Fields Forever

2011-06-10T06:39:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to Highland Orchards and picked strawberries with the girls for the first time.

Evie not knowing what to do with all this 'nature' around her:

A classic 'Evie-is-getting-upset' face:

The spoils:

Madeline posing:

Evie mischiefing:

Evie @ 14 months

2011-04-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

@ Hershey's Chocolate World

2011-04-18T00:00:00.001-07:00

Madeline and I got to make our own candy bars when we stopped at Hershey's Chocolate World.

Here's a very flattering (sarcasm) picture of me with Madeline, gettin' our hairnets on.

And an apron too:

Getting excited:

Following her candy bar through the assembly line:

Madeline and Mommy with our respective bars:

Madeline on an Amish Buggy

2011-04-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

We stopped in Lancaster for a spell:

Grandma & Grandpa Crapo come to visit

2011-04-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

The girls with Gramdpa after church:

And with Grandma & Uncle Robert too:

Madeline in a laundry basket

2011-04-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

Me and the girls on Valentines day.

Daddy got flowers for all of us.

Juggling flowers and babies:

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

2011-02-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

"You've got something right....No, no, you got it...just let me get the camera...."

2010-12-01T16:43:00.000-08:00

I'm savin' this one for future boyfriends....

8 months old!

2010-10-27T09:15:00.001-07:00

Here is our little Ms. Pants at 8 months old!

I think the days of her cooperating with photo shoots are over....didn't even get one smile while we were in the grass.

Looking for mischief.

Love this face.

Laughing at her sister.

Just for comparison's sake - here's a picture of Madeline when she was 8 months:

My new blog!

2010-10-19T08:09:00.001-07:00

I have a new blog! It's Dual Perspicacity. Say that five times fast!

My sister is my co-conspirator and we'll be talking about all the different crafts we're about. We hope you come and check it out!

Evie crawls

2010-09-22T06:53:00.000-07:00

Evie started army crawling a couple weeks ago. She was six and a half months. If I leave her to play by herself she follows me around instead - into the bathroom, into the kitchen. Mommy no longer has a moment of peace.

For comparison's sake, Madeline started crawling at eight months and twenty days. In fact, here is a video of the day Madeline finally figured it out.

Madeline got a haircut too!

2010-09-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

She was much less inclined to let me take her picture than Evie was. I have a lot of pictures of her hiding - like this one:

But she came around.

Evie's first haircut

2010-09-18T19:51:00.000-07:00

Look! She still looks like a girl! Success!

I love it when she makes this face.

I don't know why I like the following picture but I do. She's got a cute little hair swish in back I guess.

Startled much?

A smile for Mommy.

My Sweet Girl

2010-08-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

Happy 1/2 Birthday to Ms. Pants

2010-08-26T21:04:00.000-07:00

Six months old - she represents the Lollipop Guild.

Mmmmmm. Turtle.

Silly Madeline

2010-07-28T17:00:00.000-07:00

Another tongue shot:

Aaaaand eating sweets:

In Portland

2010-07-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

We took a side trip up to Portland to visit my sister, Tammy and did all sorts of things:

Chasing ducks - actually we were trying to get a picture of me with the girls and Madeline wasn't cooperating.

We were pretty lucky to get this shot - Madeline refused to cooperate at all after that.

On the train in downtown Portland.

There was a sandcastle building competition for charity in Pioneer Square - so we went down and observed. There was a children's area so Madeline played around for a bit. You know she's concentrating hard when she's got her tongue sticking out.

Aunt Tammy gives her some pointers.

Tammy attempts to feed Ms. Pants. FAIL.

We also spent an afternoon at the Oregon Zoo.

Madeline contaminating the bird habitat with her backwash.

Picture ninja on the tractor.

She was telling Uncle Mike and anyone who would listen that the bears had sad faces.

And we went to the coast....which is not usually very warm.

But that didn't stop Madeline...

...from getting soaking wet....

...it's like the cold didn't even register.

This girl just loves the beach!

Many Shades of Evie

2010-07-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

In the pool with cousin Anna

2010-07-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

In July we went to Oregon to visit my family and one of Madeline's favorite activities was going over to her cousins' house to play in the pool.

Madeline & cousin Anna.

Madeline watering the flowers...

This equipment was completely unnecessary.

A couple of weeks later she had learned how to operate the water hose. She thinks she's so cool... Looks like she got Anna pretty good in this one.

Anna just wanted to hold Evie every time we went over there.

Birthday Conversation

2010-07-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

Madeline's birthday is coming up so today I was asking her about it:

Me: "What kind of cake do you want for your birthday?"
Madeline: "Chocolate!"
Me: "Okay, what do you want it to look like?"
Madeline: "Blue!"
Me: "Okay......you don't want it to look like an animal or something?"
**long pause while she thinks about it**
Madeline: "No, blue!"
Me: "Okay then...what kind of presents do you want?"
Madeline: "Blue!"
Me: "Blue wrapping paper?"
Madeline: "Yeah!"
Me: "What do you want IN the presents?"
Madeline: "Uhhhh...dolls and.....anything!"

She also wanted blue balloons and party hats. She'll be a pretty easy girl to shop for if all she really cares about is the color of the wrapping paper.

Cutest child ever.

Already BFFs

2010-06-20T17:39:00.001-07:00

Evelyn

2010-06-20T17:35:00.000-07:00

Madeline

2010-06-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

My two girls

2010-05-27T15:16:00.001-07:00

Chillin' in the couch crack

2010-05-27T15:14:00.000-07:00

Evie standing video

2010-05-20T12:35:00.000-07:00

Here's a video of Evie standing. She's 11 weeks old here. Most children her age can't put all their weight on their legs. Daddy's just helping her balance.

Madeline & Julia at the park

2010-04-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we met Ashley and Julia at the park and fun times were had by all.

Madeline has the best expressions.

Evie's blessing day

2010-04-14T12:51:00.000-07:00

This last weekend Joseph's parents flew in for Evie's baby blessing. She wouldn't be one of my children if she hadn't cried.

I was wearing the WRONG skirt to be sitting on a steep hill.

The girls with Grandma and Grandpa Crapo.

Klepto on a scooter

2010-04-14T12:26:00.000-07:00

Madeline at the park with Grandpa Crapo.

This scooter does not belong to us.

Evie @ 1 month

2010-04-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

Evie on her one month birthday.

Washington DC

2010-04-10T18:20:00.000-07:00

My sister came to visit this last week and we went for a day trip to DC.

Madeline and Tammy in front of the Washington monument.

And Mommy and Madeline.

The Capitol building.

@ Burger King. Seriously, the BEST PICTURE EVER. This one is going into the 'pictures to show future boyfriends' file.

On the lawn at the Lincoln Memorial.

Trouble making.

Sad panda.

Pillars on the west side of the Lincoln Memorial.

Madeline ruining the picture.

This is more like it....even I look pretty good.

Random Evie Pics

2010-03-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

Evie with her face mashed against the side of the bassinet.

A face mommy sees a lot...

Always so cute when they're asleep.

The ham

2010-03-27T20:04:00.000-07:00

This one loves to have her picture taken...but would never admit it.

Cuteness

2010-03-27T20:01:00.000-07:00

Bringing home baby

2010-03-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

Baby Evelyn

2010-03-01T06:33:00.000-08:00

Evelyn Alice Crapo

Born February 26, 2010
9 lb 10 oz
21 1/2 inches long

Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T07:57:00.000-08:00

Joseph went out and got Madeline and I some flowers yesterday afternoon. He made the mistake of mentioning his plans to Madeline while I was taking a nap. When I asked him where he was going she starts saying "Mommy flowers" over and over. Beware my minions, Joseph, they are everywhere.

The pink ones are Madeline's.

Who are you and what have you done with my Madeline?

2010-02-14T07:47:00.000-08:00

I came home from the grocery store last night and found this:

This only happens on Joseph's watch - and even then, it's happened maybe twice, ever. Why can't I be so lucky?

Some pictures from Sunday

2010-02-11T07:16:00.000-08:00

Madeline's sad face.

Winter Storm

2010-02-11T07:01:00.001-08:00

View from the balcony.

That's our vehicle with the snow bank growing behind it.

Thoroughly delighted.

Madeline always just dives right in.

My Birthday

2010-02-11T06:42:00.000-08:00

Madeline with Daddy at Carrabba's for my birthday dinner.

Madeline and Mommy getting ready for cake.

Chocolate fudge cake with chocolate fudge frosting. I think the fudge frosting would have been better as just a filling, but this was the first time I had made it so I wasn't sure how it would turn out. It tasted good though!

Cutest. Little Girl. Ever.

2010-01-26T09:12:00.001-08:00

Madeline in the snow

2009-12-29T14:11:00.000-08:00

Her first instinct is to pick it up and throw it at Mommy. That's my girl.....

Very pleased with herself.

Madeline making a snow angel without any prompting from Mommy. I didn't even know she knew what a snow angel was...

No thanks Madeline. Mommy does not want.

I wouldn't have had a smile on my face if I were her.

This girl doesn't seem to know that snow is cold.

Odds and ends

2009-11-21T12:47:00.000-08:00

Last week, I sorted through Madeline's old clothes and organized them for New Baby. Madeline 'helped.'

And by helped, I mean she ganked my box...

Also, today, I heard sounds of distress is Madeline's room and walked in to find this:

I don't know how she got in there, but she certainly couldn't get out on her own. lol

The Haircut

2009-11-06T11:40:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking for awhile that I wasn't happy with Madeline's hair. So I decided to brave the rocky waters and just do it. My previous attempts to cut her hair have not gone over well, so I knew I would need some epic distractions.

Armed with Caillou and two dum dums from Halloween, I actually got her to sit still for more than two seconds. Go me.

Before:

Before the cutting started:

After:

At the park later:

Trick or Treating

2009-11-01T04:51:00.000-08:00

We went to a Halloween party with some friends from church out in Coatesville.

Madeline got to go trick or treating around the neighborhood.

Madeline with Daddy.

A very excited Madeline with Mommy.

The little monkey with 'Yoda' (Logan) and 'Max' from 'Where the Wild Things Are'(Spencer).

Yes, that's my child, looking in stranger's windows wondering why no one is answering the door...

Enjoying the spoils.

All tuckered out.

@ trunk or treat

2009-10-30T11:27:00.001-07:00

We made the effort to go to the ward's Trunk or Treat this year.

We didn't stay long. Joseph says that's how we Crapos roll - we're social ninjas - get in, score, get out.

Here's a picture of Madeline at the cookie decorating station. The girls running the table made the mistake of actually putting a cookie in front of her. It went straight into the mouth.

With bff* Julia.

*bff: best friend forever

Halloween always comes early

2009-10-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

Madeline enjoying the spoils from the annual Halloween package from my Mom and Dad.

Candy:

New little people (lined up with her other little people):

Duds:

Where's Madeline?.....Oh, there she is.

2009-10-24T09:00:00.001-07:00

Whenever I'm going to do something unpleasant to Madeline like washing her face or combing her hair, she runs and 'hides.'

I pretend not to see her for a few seconds....

The problem with her hiding place is......

She doesn't blend in very well.

Pumpkin Picking (photos by Ashley)

2009-10-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

Ashley and I took Julia and Madeline pumpkin picking this week.

Madeline liked moving all the little pumpkins around.

Madeline giving Mommy kisses.

And hugs.

Mommy's 1st day home

2009-10-20T10:44:00.000-07:00

On my first day home, Madeline and I set out to find the nearby park that is linked to our complex's 'nature trail' (read: muddy, creepy trail). After traipsing through the mud for twenty minutes we finally found the park.

Our little cupcake.

Slide happy.

Under the slide.

She liked going down head first.

On the 'bus' that didn't really do anything.

On the slide that was her downfall, literally....

She ended up tumbling down this one and then sliding the rest of the way on her face, effectively ending our little excursion for the day. Though we did find the 'easy' way back home. No more muddy trails for us!

The Infamous Monkey Suit

2009-10-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

Madeline's Halloween costume:

It's a.........................

2009-10-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

Baby.....

I mean, it's a girl!

Sucking her thumb, no less.

Logan & Xander's Birthday party

2009-10-04T08:26:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, we traveled up to Hamburg, PA for Logan & Xander's birthday party, who are the sons of friends of ours, born two days after Madeline.

Madeline looking like she was just caught doing something bad. (With Logan or Xander....they were dressed the same!)

Having fun with bubbles.

Playin' in the sand box.

Surveying her domain.

Darla, Logan and Xander's mom, made Madeline a little birthday cake too!

Chasing bubbles....

Madeline tries to blow some herself, hilarity ensues.

Labor Day at the park

2009-10-04T07:20:00.000-07:00

These are a bit old, but on Labor Day, we had a small ward gathering at Goshen Park.

One of my favorite pictures of her ever. She is just so darn cute.

Madeline & Daddy with Julia and Mike.

Things buses are useful for:

2009-09-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

Rohoboth Beach Trip

2009-09-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

On Monday, September 14th, we went to Rohoboth Beach in Delaware for the afternoon.

Madeline, checking out the view from the boardwalk.

Playing with her bucket.

Madeline playing with other children's toys. She does this a lot and gets away with it because she's too cute to resist.

Mommy and Madeline.

Madeline's 2nd Birthday Party

2009-09-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

We had Madeline's birthday party on Saturday the 12th because who wants to have a birthday party on a Monday?

Madeline enjoying her new trampoline and her bundle of 'boons.'

'Sharing' with her friend Logan. She doesn't share toys very well yet...

The infamous circus animal cupcakes in various phases of done-ness. Tammy did nearly all the work on these. Yes, the icing is melting - I take full responsibility for that...

Madeline's birthday cake completed, before the elephant's ears fell off.

And after....

Philadelphia

2009-09-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

The planned canoe trip got rained out, so on Friday the 10th, we all went to see the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. And get a cheese steak.

Never a happy camper...

With Aunt Tammy and Uncle Mike.

Independence Hall.

Roaming in the soggy grass.

Where we got our cheese steaks. Most excellent.

I've been remiss...

2009-08-10T20:37:00.001-07:00

Okay, to make up for my lack of pictures, here are some of Madeline taken today!

She secretly likes the attention of having her picture taken. She likes to run away when I have it out, but she'll get upset if I put it away...weird child.

I got her good before she ran away :)

Cheesy smile (she learned that from Daddy).

Mommy and Madeline.

What I was up to last night.....

2009-07-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

So, I've been looking forward to last night for some time because of course, Harry Potter came out and Ashley and I went to a midnight (ish) showing.

We even dressed up 'cause we're awesome like that and don't care if people think we're freaks.....regardless, there were a lot of other freaks as we knew there would be.

Here's Ashley making her Bellatrix wand.

Wooden dowels, sand paper, sculpy, stain, laquer.....

...yields you one of these....

...or this...

Ashley, putting the final touches on her costume in the parking lot of the theater.

And me with the pinkest hair ever as Tonks.

Bellatrix hexing the photographer...

We had to wait (in our seats thankfully) for about two hours. I bought a meatball sub at Wawa on the way to the theater (they let you take any food you want into the theaters out here). I would have been STARVING without it.

The movie was the best movie I've seen in awhile and by far the best Harry Potter movie so far. I wasn't even that tired when the movie ended at 3:20 in the morning!

It was so worth it!

One trip to IKEA later.....

2009-07-11T19:32:00.000-07:00

Madeline enjoying her new furniture.

Madeline's Sunday Best

2009-07-05T10:03:00.000-07:00

The Crapos go to Boston

2009-05-16T13:14:00.000-07:00

On April 30th, the Crapos went on vacation to Boston, MA. We were supposed to leave at 3 am-ish so Madeline would be asleep, but both Joseph and I overslept and didn't end up leaving until 6. Madeline was surprisingly good in the car on the way up despite being wide awake the whole time. We took an unfortunate detour through New York City even though we told the GPS to avoid it. $8 to cross a bridge? Highway robbery. We arrived in Boston at around 12:30pm. The hotel let us check in a few hours early, bless them!

We had lunch at Vinny T's of Boston. Madeline made a complete mess, of course. I don't know who invented the paper "table cloth" but they are the bain of our existence. This is one of the reasons why we don't use those sticky plastic table mats that some of my friends use for their children. Madeline wouldn't eat off of it, she would do everything she could to get it off the table and then play with it. Which brings me to the second reason why we don't use those sticky plastic table mats - my phobia of things that stick to other things. I shudder at the thought of one of those plastic abominations in my toddler's hands. But I digress.

After lunch, we went back to our room to recuperate from the drive. Madeline discovered the phonebook and scriptures in the night stand drawers and never forgot about them. She also figured out how to open the room door in about two seconds. Whoever decided handles were better than doorknobs needs a swift kick in the behind.

It must have been a stange sight for someone walking by in the hallway, seeing flailing baby parts sticking through the not-quite-big-enough-to-squeeze-through gap in the doorway when the door chain is engaged.

Madeline, for future reference, even if you had managed to get your body out, you never could have gotten your head through that space. You have the biggest. head. ever.

I'm just sayin'.

Madeline watching Sponge Bob Square Pants on the bed.

That evening we went to Joe's American Bar and Grill down the street from the hotel with Rick, Jeff and Wilder.

On Friday....

Mommy and Madeline snuggle at breakfast.

Madeline in the car after a short nap.

Madeline gets a hug from Logan in the hideously decorated hotel lobby. (Logan looks a little reluctant...)

Madeline gets a hug from Xander.

Madeline sandwich with Rick, Hector, Jeff & Wilder in the background.

Xander, Madeline, Darla, Logan.

Madeline and Logan on the ugliest couch known to man. Seriously? Neon orange? What were they thinking?

Madeline sits with the hobbits and Jen. No, I'm not kidding. They're really dressed like Hobbits.

Hobbits at the pub. Hector (Logan & Xander's dad) kept saying "It comes in pints?" in a high-pitched voice at the dinner table.

Friday's dinner at the British Beer Company. Apparently they make the structure of the restaurant in Britain and then ship it over and assemble it.

Joseph will not stop talking about the sandwich he had there. Honey, really, it's just a sandwich.

(from left: Wilder, Jeff, Jen, Wes, Me, Madeline, Joseph, Rick, Patience (from Turbine) and her two children and boyfriend, Darla, Logan & Xander, Hector, Von, Ethan, Karen & Jaime)

Part of the gang outside the British Beer Company. Joseph, Madeline, Me, Jamie, Hector, Logan & Xander, Darla, Jeff, Clover (from Turbine), Rick, Jen & Wes.

On Saturday....

We took a walking tour of Boston.

Me and Madeline at breakfast. Note the fruit loop in her mouth. In this picture, I probably told Madeline she wasn't allowed to do something. Hence the crying. She was very over-stimulated on this trip.

Joseph is no match for my ninja skills at the train station.

The train came bright and early: 9:12 AM.

First stop: Boston Commons where the Freedom Trail starts, which is a 2.5 mile path (marked with a red line) through Boston that passes 16 historical sites.

There were tour guides dressed up and whatnot. Apparently they charge $15 for a tour you can take yourself on for free.

This one was sitting on a bench doing a crossword puzzle...

The group in front of the building with the gold dome. Anita and Emily (2nd & 3rd from the right) finally joined the ranks.

Joseph and Madeline, going for a stroll.

I thought this tree was amazing. In the shadows of the surrounding buildings, it looked like the blooms were glowing. My camera didn't do it justice in the least.

Madeline and I in the cemetery.

Anita and I. The lady in the shop we're standing in front of thought Madeline was sooooooo cute.....

...that she gave her a free balloon. Which fortunately kept her busy for the a long time.

The Green Dragon. This is where the revolutionaries planned the Boston Tea Party.

Madeline tries to escape. In the middle of the street, no less.

More balloon adoration.

Paul Revere.

Madeline showing off her gymnastics moves. Everyone thought she was hilarious.

Madeline discovers the fountain when we all stopped to rest.

Rick showed Madeline how to throw coins into the water.

Madeline momentarily diverted by a pop bottle.

More Madeline cuteness.

Logan.

Xander.

Anita, Wilder and Jeff in front of the Old North Church.

Part of the Freedom Trail goes through what Rick called "little Italy" in downtown Boston. We passed by some mobsters (I kid you not) hanging outside one of the buildings. They were a couple of old guys in track suits. Apparently being in the mob doesn't improve your fashion sense.

Mike's Pastry - also in little Italy.

Everything in here looked delicious. I got a lemon bar. It was divine.

I took Madeline into the shop with me. They gave her a cookie!

Cute kids = free stuff. Just remember that.

Madeline stretching her legs after a long morning.

Madeline and Mommy, going for a stroll.

Coolest balloon hat EVER.

Madeline and Daddy back at the Train station.

That evening we went back to Vinny T's with the group.

After the kids had gone to bed we had a raffle/giveaway! Joseph got a copy of Lord of the Rings Online that was signed by all the developers at Turbine. For those of your who have no idea what I'm talking about, trust me, it's cool.

On Sunday we went to lunch at Legal Sea Foods with everyone who hadn't left yet and then we were on our way back home.

So, that was our trip to Boston. A good time was had by all.

Madeline @ 20 months

2009-05-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

These are pictures I took on Madeline's 20 month "birthday" which was on Thursday.

Little Miss Sassy Pants

Tickle fight with Mommy.

My favorite. She is just so cute.

Hold your horses

2009-05-15T07:18:00.000-07:00

I am working on a post for our Boston trip, so for those of you who keep harrassing me, (I'm looking at you, Tam) you'll just have to be patient.

It's turning out to be a longer post than I had originally thought and that's really saying something because it was REALLY long to begin with.

Anyways.... maybe later tonight, but I'm not making any promises.

PS yes, I could post the pics on Web Albums (and I will, eventually), but then you wouldn't get any of my witty commentary.

Madeline Revisits the 80s

2009-05-14T09:25:00.000-07:00

She kept handing me bows...

"Hiding" from Mommy.

She looks so grown up in this one.

Sunflower Madeline

2009-05-14T09:19:00.000-07:00

My happy, sweet girl.

Just some cute pictures

2009-04-10T13:22:00.000-07:00

If we don't have the cutest baby ever, I don't know who does....

Family Outing to the GAP

2009-03-28T17:45:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, we went on a family outing to the GAP.

You'd be surprised by how many family outings to the GAP we've had.

Madeline has unleashed her powers of destruction at least three times. We even stopped into Baby GAP this time where there are TOYS. Yeah, bad idea.

Here are some pictures of Madeline and me having fun in the dressing room.

Madeline @ Goshen Park

2009-03-28T17:35:00.000-07:00

Madeline and I went to Goshen park last Saturday for some Mommy-Baby time.

Important lessons learned: She will NOT look at the camera when Mommy is taking the picture.

Madeline still doesn't know what to do with grass.

The Crapos have been ...lazy

2009-03-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

Ok, ok. Yes, I've been lazy in the picture department.

Here is Madeline wearing her mommy's shoes.

At the park

2009-03-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

Today we went to Kerr park with the Rittman's.

Madeline shares a swing with Julia.

Madeline is disgruntled.

"Enjoying" the ride?

Madeline catches some air on the hump.

Our little monkey baby.

It was inevitable....

2009-03-07T19:19:00.000-08:00

Madeline has been pulling the blankets out of the bottom two drawers of her changing table for months. It was only a matter of time before she figured out how to do this:

Two Little Girls Hangin' Out

2009-02-21T12:12:00.000-08:00

Opps, I was spotted.

Tin Foil Hat Madeline

2009-02-21T11:55:00.000-08:00

What happens when you combine a naturally clumsy person, a baby who only wants to be held while you're trying to make dinner, and a roll of tin foil?.......

A very long piece of tin foil that is unusable because it's touched the kitchen floor.

So, what did I do?

Why, I made a tin foil hate for Madeline, of course! She was very pleased.

Happy Birthday to US!

2009-02-08T17:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Tam! And Me, of course!

I had a good birthday this year. We went to Olive Garden last night with Mike, Ashley & Julia. We had a waiter who didn't speak Engrish to good. There were many confused looks exchanged.

Afterward, we all came back to our place and I put the finishing touches on my birthday cake. Frosting. Sprinkles. Awesome.

Ashley volunteered to light the cake, Joseph pouted because he usually does it.

Me and my cake.

Happy Madeline. She knows there was something tasty coming.

Not my greatest parenting decision....

"Mmmmm, frosting!"

Annnnnnd, a hilarious picture of Mike. Classy, Mike, classy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2009-02-01T15:48:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMPA!

Love, Madeline

Madeline & Her Little Red Coat.

2009-02-01T11:47:00.000-08:00

Getting suited up to go outside.

"What's this?"

"Yep, that's cold."

But we like new things!

Oh so dainty.

In the end, she fell in the mud. That's our girl!

Random Pic

2009-02-01T11:44:00.001-08:00

Random Pic of the day.

Jam Hands

2009-02-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

The other day I gave Madeline a piece of bread with Strawberry Jam on it and she decided to lick off the jam using her whole face.

Madeline in a Box

2009-01-09T18:16:00.000-08:00

From Madeline Plays in a Newegg Box

2nd & 3rd Christmas

2009-01-09T17:57:00.000-08:00

We had two more Christmases after we got back for the gifts from the Goff side of the family.

She loves her new books.

From Madeline Opens the Rest of Her Christmas Presents

"Hello?"

From Madeline Opens the Rest of Her Christmas Presents

Smiles for the picnic basket from Mommy & Daddy.

From Madeline Opens the Rest of Her Christmas Presents

Madeline collects the paper stars. She thought they were candy. Mmmmm paper-y.

From Madeline Opens the Rest of Her Christmas Presents

Madeline sizing up her gift from Aunt Tam and Uncle Mike. And no, this unfortunate ensemble was not my doing.

From Madeline Opens the Rest of Her Christmas Presents

Madeline has this present opening thing down.

From Madeline Opens the Rest of Her Christmas Presents

Ignore the present, play with the paper.

From Madeline Opens the Rest of Her Christmas Presents

The Crapos make chocolates

2009-01-03T09:40:00.000-08:00

A friend of Joseph's parents invited us over to make chocolates during our visit to Victoria over Christmas.

I made these! (Seriously.)

From The Crapo's Make Chocolates

This is me rolling the fondant into balls.

From The Crapo's Make Chocolates

Here's Joseph shaving some chocolate for tempering.

From The Crapo's Make Chocolates

Me in my happy place - i.e. me dipping the chocolates.

From The Crapo's Make Chocolates

These are what we dubbed "the Cherry Uglies" because the fondant was too soft to hold it's shape for dipping. They ended up being chocolate blobs, but they tell me they were pretty good (as I had a head cold and couldn't taste anything, I will have to take their word for it).

From The Crapo's Make Chocolates

Joseph putting his fondant in the molds - he choose to make his chocolates the more complicated way.

From The Crapo's Make Chocolates

Snowfall in Victoria

2009-01-03T09:15:00.000-08:00

After our torturously long trip to Victoria for Christmas, this is what we arrived to.

And it didn't go away!

SantaMadeline©

2008-12-28T15:15:00.000-08:00

Here are pictures of Madeline showing her Christmas spirit.

They were taken the day we left for Canada, again by Ashley, so I just didn't have time to post them before we left.

SantaMadeline©

This one is really sweet.

"You are now under my control....You will bring me craisins, fruit snacks, chocolates, milk...."

"No, I will not share with you..."

Photos by Ashley

2008-12-28T15:05:00.000-08:00

These photos, taken by the lovely and talented Ashley, also fall into the "withheld due to Christmas present involvement" category. They were taken on Thanksgiving day.

Photos that have been...withheld

2008-12-28T14:28:00.000-08:00

I've been withholding some photos because they had to do with the making of certain Christmas presents....so here they are.

Madeline's first experience with finger painting.

My original plan to apply the paint was with a paint sponge, but Madeline kept giggling and I wasn't getting the paint coverage I wanted so.....

We went to a more effective method...

Madeline surveys her masterpiece.

And because everything always ends up in the same place with Madeline - "Mom, this paint doesn't taste very good..."

The Crapo's finally put up the Christmas tree

2008-12-14T09:07:00.000-08:00

All those presents looked pretty sad hanging out in the corner, so we decided to put up the Christmas tree even though we'll only be able to enjoy it for a few days.

Madeline thinks the tree is SO COOL.

I have several large grapefruit sized ornaments that she kept pointing at and saying "ball!" She also liked touching the glass bulbs and the lights.

I think we have a girl who loves Christmastime.

Madeline gets a Christmas package!

2008-12-14T08:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Madeline received a Christmas package from Grandma and Grandpa Goff. She was very excited! She even unpacked the contents herself!

"All for me?"

Hmmm, shaking presents....definitely a trait from my side of the family....

Here's Madeline giving loves to her Christmas blankie.

Happy Baby.

Madeline with Santa

2008-12-08T15:58:00.001-08:00

My employer had a Christmas breakfast this last Saturday.

We even had a Santa Claus come and see the kids.

Here's Madeline totally confused by Santa. At least she didn't cry like some kids...

Madeline in the car

2008-12-01T19:27:00.000-08:00

She's so cute when unconscious.

Madeline hamming it up.

2008-12-01T19:21:00.000-08:00

We went to visit Rick, Anita, and Emily this last weekend up in Mount Pocono. We got there and her pants and shirt were soaked through. What can I say, she's well hydrated.

Madeline was really hamming it up for the camera while we were there - which is not her usual behavior. I guess she liked all the attention she was getting.

This is the best view of her teeth I've had in a while...

Madeline in her Sunday dress

2008-11-23T20:01:00.001-08:00

Madeline plays with a box and tissue paper

2008-11-23T19:30:00.000-08:00

Madeline Vs the Mashed Potatoes

2008-11-23T19:25:00.000-08:00

Need I say more?

Madeline with her bottle

2008-11-23T19:20:00.000-08:00

I have had complaints that I haven't been updating the blog so here's a slew of posts ....

First up - Madeline and her bottle. She's just cute.

Madeline in the Park

2008-10-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

Joseph and I took Madeline to Hoopes park here in West Chester to experience the fall weather. She was kind of confused by the unevenness of the ground so she just stood or sat and played with the dead leaves and picked the grass. It was a premium photo taking opportunity. Unfortunately, she was so interested in what was going on around her, she didn't bother to look up at the camera...

Here are some of my favorites:

Madeline with Mommy. Not a great picture of me unfortunately.

Madeline plays with an old dirty ball we found.

Madeline excited about seeing the ball roll away.

The patented "Madeline Stare"

Looking up at Daddy.

A rare smile.

Madeline looking concerned...

...and cute. She does that so well.

My sweet girl...

If you want to check out the other photos, just click here!

Madeline Takes Steps!

2008-10-05T17:25:00.000-07:00

Yep, she's finally getting it. She's been "shuffling" around for a few days now, but took her first steps tonight!