Get-a-way

A couple weeks ago, Eric and I went out of town for the weekend for my birthday and left Mady with Grandpa and Grandma Harms. Here's a couple pictures of Mady at Grandpa and Grandma's.

We spent the weekend in southeast Minnesota. We had beautiful weather so we did some hiking and drove through this beautiful part of the country. We had a great time spending the weekend together and it was a nice break to have a little time away. It was kind of a strange thing to be away from Mady because it's definitely nice to have the time away, but we both missed her a lot too!

Pumpkin Patch

Okay, so I may have gone a bit crazy with the pictures here, but they were just so darn cute! Last weekend we went to a pumpkin patch nearby with our friends from Newton. They have a little girl who is just 10 days older than Mady, so it's fun to watch the two of them interact. We had a BEAUTIFUL day to go and had a lot of fun!

Loren and Mady

Driving with Daddy

Bumper tractors

Here's a quick stat update:

We had to take Madelyn to the doctor for a 7-month check since her weight was trending down at her 6-month check. At 7 months, Mady was 15 lbs. 9 oz. and 27 inches. She's still pretty little, but her weight is trending back up and the doctor is not concerned. It helps that she's eating so much better! Baby food was quite a struggle for a while, but she's doing great now!

Fall Fun

I just love this time of year, and we've had such great weather to enjoy! I keep telling Eric I want to figure out where it is that we can live where the weather would be like this all the time!

Mady loves being outside and exploring the grass and leaves and watching the squirrels!

Pulling the stem off her pumpkin from Grandpa and Grandma Van Zee. Oops! It sure is a cute pumpkin!

I know I'm biased, but isn't she beautiful?!

Travels

I'm trying to play catch-up again! In mid-September we went back to Northern Minnesota for my cousin's wedding. My family rented a house on a little lake, and it was beautiful! The weather was a little chilly, but we had a great time!

Eric and I got to have a date night and my parents watched Madelyn. We also cruised around the little lake in a little fishing boat, and just hung out with family.

Growing up too fast!

Aunt Amanda and Mady at the wedding

Our smiley girl at the wedding. The waitress kept asking us if we wanted a plate for Mady! We had steak and walleye....I'm thinking that's a little too mature of tastes for Madelyn at this point in time! Smashed peas and Cheerios are more up our alley!

An attempt at a family picture on Gull Lake. I was hoping to get a good picture of us to use on Christmas cards, but that didn't work so well!

Another attempt on Grave Lake, which is the lake the house we rented was on.

Aunt Amanda and her friend having fun with Madelyn

Apple Orchard

On Labor Day we made a quick trip to Iowa City and saw some friends and went to the apple orchard. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time!

Family Visits

A few weeks ago we got to have a great time with some of the Van Zee family that came to visit for the weekend!

Uncle Andy and soon-to-be Aunt Sarah with Madelyn

Uncle Andy

Roberts Side Four Generations

Great-aunt Mary came to visit from Colorado!

Minnesota!

Madelyn and I were able to go to Minnesota in August with my family. My family always spends a week at a cabin in Minnesota. We've done that my whole life. When I was growing up, it was a week spent with my Grandpa and Grandma Best and all my aunts, uncles, and cousins from that side of the family.

We're no longer all able to go, but our immediate family still does, and it's always such a great time! Here are a few pictures from Mady's first Minnesota trip!

Uncle Ryan and Mady

Grandpa and Mady driving the boat.

Mady in her John Deere sweatshirt and too-small stocking hat!

Grandma and Mady

Our little celebrity!