Madi goes to school!!

Our baby girl is growing up right before our eyes...

Yesterday was Madilyn's first day of school. The first of many more firsts. She started preschool at the Creative Learning Center at Atascocita Presbyterian Church. She has been so excited to go, and was such a big girl!

Matt woke her up and she was smiling from ear to ear and ready to go! We had a nice pancake breakfast courtesy of dad, packed our snack, and hit the road. Madi walked in like such a big girl, very indpendently! No crying, no fussing, just ready to learn. I was sad to leave her, not because I'm worried about her, more because it means that she is growing up way too fast. I want to keep her little as long as I can!! Isn't that most mothers' dreams??

Pictures???

If you are on Facebook, you can see more pictures there! Blogger takes so long to upload lots of photos!

One Last Hoo-Rah!!

Unfortunately summer always seems to fly by. Last weekend we took one last hoo-rah before summer is officially over for us. We took a trip down to Palm Beach at Moody Gardens in Galveston. The girls had a blast playing in the water and sand, collecting seashells and swimming. It was nice to get away, even though it was only for a night. We had some quality family time!!

Aunt Laura and Grandpa Barker Visit

We were lucky enough to have Aunt Laura grace us with her prescence for a few days. She hasn't been here to visit in over a here. It was fun to just relax and have them here with us!

Grandpa Barker turns 60!

The day we came home from Ohio, Matt's dad celebrated his 60th birthday. Since he was here in the Houston area for work, we celebrated with a good Mexican meal with him.

Ohio, Here We Come!!

We spent about 12 days in Ohio this summer. What a great treat to be home and with family. We flew in at the end of June and stayed until July 11th. We had so much fun and were busy the entire time. We went to an Indians game, saw the Cleveland Orchestra, celebrated the fourth of July and Ella's birthday, went to Kiddie Park and Cedar Point, and just loved visiting friends and family. The weather was absolutely perfect and made me wonder why we live in Texas!! Of course, it's always hard to come home to Texas and back to reality.

Ella's Baptism

On Sunday, June 7th, we had Ella baptized at St. Martha's Church. Chip and Retta are her Godparents, and of course, that makes Jordan her Godsister!! It was a nice, simple ceremony with my parents and Matt's mom as part of it. Poor Ella was a bit cranky and hungry (who has something for babies at 2:00 in the afternoon--right at naptime!) but she got over it. Our sweet girl looked like a little angel!

We chose Chip and Retta as Godparents for many reasons. One being that they have been like family to us since we met them 4 years ago. They have been our "family away from home" and we are so thankful for them. They are amazing and loving people and we couldn't think of anyone better to be Ella's Godparents.

Shame on me!!

I haven't updated all summer...and well, now summer is just about over!! Let's see if I can fill you in on the fun events of Summer 2009!!!

~~June~~
Cindy and Matt both turn 30!!!

Matt threw me a surprise birthday party for my 30th. What a wonderful way to celebrate with family and friends. My mother in law was in town for the weekend. She took me to get a pedicure and afterwards blind folded me in the car. I knew something was up...Matt had been saying and doing some strange things before hand...but had no idea I'd have a birthday party like that!! We pulled into the drive and "SURPRISE" Fun day!!

Poor Matt...he didn't get a super fun surprise party like me! We celebrated here at home with the girls and then later that evening went over to a friend's house for Game Night. He had German Chocolate cake...so he was happy!! No surprise party needed!!

Madi's Dance Recital

On June 1st Madi had her first dance recital at the Little Gym. For Christmas, my family bought her a semester class that taught her ballet, tap, and some gymnastics. We spent every Monday night since January watching her practice. Finally it was time to see her put it all together. The girls were adorable. We were especially proud of Madi continued to wave and smile at us as we sat in the audience. Her teacher said that she was the "old soul of the group" and that she was "the little adult and very serious!"