Madee and Anna's baptism song

madee and anna sang this song on their baptism day. i cried. it was so beautiful. we couldn't record them singing at the baptism so we did it at home. madee is really mad that i posted this on youtube when she messed up. i am sure there will be plenty more singing opportunities for her and anna that i will record more without her messing up. but, just wanted to share their special song with the rest of you.

Madee's Baptism

today was a special day. madee became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. her daddy baptized her and confirmed her a member of the church. it was very exciting. a testimony via email that she received from her grandpa said that angels would attend her baptism and one did. i know without a shadow of a doubt aunt becky was very present. after her baptism, her and anna sang the most beautiful song. i come to the waters by janice knapp perry. i think the most exciting part was to see her and her best friend baptized on the same day. a memory they will have for the rest of their lives. 

daddy & madee just before the baptism was performed

best friends forever. madee and anna jane

daddy & madee

julia (anna's mommy) was so kind to snap a few shots of the girls sunday after church

love these silly girls

this is one of my favorites. shows madee in her rarest form. lol

Happy 8th Birthday Madee Moo!

8 years old

• you are my sunshine.
• you're either very happy or very mad. hence the great name you were given...
• you look just like your mother and act like her too
• you love to play with your friends and at times choose them over us! 
• we love to listen to you sing and watch you make up your own groovy dance moves
• your favorite color is purple
• your best friend is anna jane
• i love to wake you up in the morning, but most times i find that you beat me to it and are awake around 6am!
• i love you more then words can say, but you seem to always tell me you love me more. NOT TRUE! 
• but.....madee....i love you to the stars and back

madee, anna and i went to the mall for her b'day. she wanted to get her ears pierced and buy special earrings for her and anna. who thought you could spend almost $100 @ a little earrings store? NOT ME.

end result. yes she was very scared and almost cried even though this was her 3rd try at getting her ears pierced. every other time they got infected. so far, so good.

being themselves in front of a store. we sure had a fun time.

this is madee's adopted grandma. uncle warren's mom. she is wonderful to all my kids and loves them like her own grandchildren. she was so wonderful and got madee her favorite american girl doll rebecca

opening cards from the cousins

a necklace from mom & dad

some clothes

madee doesn't like cake so we made homemade ice-cream cookies and a cake for those who wanted cake. we aren't much of a cake eating family. lol. madee just being herself! silly girl.

i am so thankful you are in our family and thank my Heavenly Father everyday for you. you are a very special spirit that brings so much light to our family. we love you.

SpRiNg BrEaK!!!

SpRiNg BrEaK!!!

Surprise, Surprise! that is what it was. we had been planning this vacation for months and kept it a secret. we were so excited to get the kids out of town, not just for them, but us too. so here is how it went down.........

the week before we left, i had been hiding clothes from the kids in our closet so that i could pack and they wouldn't have a clue. friday i started the packing while they were in school and packed the car full because we took the car.....yes the little jetta. trunk packed and no sign of the kids knowing, we planned on a soccer game the next morning. 

off we went to soccer early saturday morning. once the game was finished, we piled in full jetta and headed toward las vegas. the kids asked us where we were going and we just said "it's spring break.....where do you guys want to go?" to follow the question were funny answers....

jenna. hawaii

madee. laguna beach

tucker. out cold.....(nice!)

we proceeded to tell them we are going on a road trip. all your clothes are packed and we will be moving from place to place. they were so excited. my excitement almost got the best of me several times.

we got to long beach, ca. and found the hotel. tracy and warren's family was at dinner and they had no clue we were there and my kids had no clue they were there! so fun. i text tracy to tell her we had made it. once they got back we went down to the pool area and as we started back up to our rooms........

the elevator opened....and BOO. the gray's!

i was so freakin' excited. jenna's mouth was on the floor. screams were heard throughout the hotel as our kids danced and laughed and screamed with excitement. it was so worth all the hard work on my part. 

the next morning we packed up the car and tooled around long beach. we found a cute little pier and walked around til we were able to go to the boat (of which they still had no idea!) we started driving and once we got to the royal caribbean loading area i could hear screams from the gray's car. my kids.....still didn't get it. 

jenna. what are we doing dad?

dad. we are going to try to see if they will let us go walk on that boat to see what it is like?

jenna. i'm not going on that ship

mom. lets get the luggage out.........we're going on a cruise!!!!!

jenna. (crying) I AM NOT GETTING ON THAT SHIP!!!!!!!!!

brandon and i laughed so hard. we did end up sympathizing with her and consoling her to the best we could. after we finally boarded the boat. she finally calmed down. we ask her now if she would do it again and apparently she has our next vacation planned to the caribbean. LOL

the royal caribbean mariner of the seas

swimming.swimming.and more swimming

jenna couldn't get enough frozen yogurt and madee couldn't get enough sun

cabo san lucas lover's beach. we really loved the sun and water here.

mazzatlan. the girls were excited for this moment.

madee's cute braids

jenna's turn for torture

cute huh!

cousins

tuck and boyboy. yep. that is what he calls him

my cute family in mexico. it was beyond windy!

if you have never taken a taxi ride in mexico...i must say....it is a must. this was our taxi

jenna in front of a beautiful catholic church in the center of town

madee chasing the birds

the end of an amazing vacation