Samantha's Birthday - Part 1

Samantha turned 5 this past Tuesday, July 3rd.  It was a beautiful day out, so we went to the playground in the morning (where Miss Maddie made several sand pies for Sam) and then we followed up with a short lived trip to the beach (don't ask why it was short lived).  Then afterwards, we had my father over for dinner and had cake and ice cream with a few presents for Sam. 

After dinner, our town launced their fireworks off that night, so we invited several of our friends over and we tailgated in our driveway to watch them light up the sky.  Such a fun night!

(Sarah chose Samantha's Birthday balloon.  She was SO proud!)



(Sam chose her Birthday cake this year.  She's going through a pink and purple phase right now)

Sarah singing "Happy Birthday" to Samantha

Sarah wrote Sam's name on the envelope

Samantha reading the Birthday card that Sarah chose for her.

(Samantha's laughing because the card has monkeys dancing all over the card)

Sam and Sarah sitting with Samantha's friend, Kae from preschool during the fireworks

(I LOVE all of their expressions)

Five Things Friday

Five Things That Happened This Past Week That Made Me Smile:

1. Jeremy, the Madore-ables and I had such a great time this past weekend while camping.  Granted, we weren't sure how the girls would handle camping (as it was their first time) so we chose to do it for a few days in case they didn't like it.  They're still talking about last Summer's vacation at the water park and Story Land.  Now, they're talking about how much fun they had playing with their cousins and having S'Mores.  It really was a relaxing 3 days away from reality and technology.
2. The awesome thing with Summer time is that there is so much to do!  We have so many choices:  which playground to go to; setting up an indoor fort and reading stories underneath it; swimming in the pool; and playdates playdates playdates!
3. Earlier in the week, Sarah and I went to the local dollar store.  Just watching Sarah's face trying to pick a Birthday balloon for Samantha was just absolutely adorable.
4. Our photography business continues to keep us very busy these days.  We're so excited for all these opportunities!  Feel free to go visit our website at www.capturedinmoments.com or find us on Facebook underneath "Captured in Moments".
5. This blog entry marks my 500th post!! 

Summer Vacation 2012

This past weekend, Jeremy, the Madore-ables and I took a little 3-hour trip (that really took about 6 hours) up to Weld, Maine to camp at Mount Blue State Park for our Summer Vacation.  I myself had never been camping, and the Madore-ables absolutely LOVED it.  My brother in law, Christian and his family were able to join us too, so the girls had a lot of fun with their cousins.

Along with hours of exploring, and playing down at the lake, we also ventured to Tumbledown Mountain which was quite an adventure in itself.  The Madore-ables slept VERY well.

There's just something about fresh mountain air...

The morning we left.  It was POURING rain out, but the Madore-ables were SO excited to go camping.

Sarah's Moo Cow driving us on the Maine Turnpike.

(She's very courteous and used her turn signals)

A picnic pit stop along the way.  I have no idea where we were, but we were definitely in the sticks.

Samantha and Sarah with Uncle Christian and Aunt Kate and their cousins making S'Mores around the campfire Friday night.

Samantha and I hiking down Tumbledown Mountain on Saturday.

ThermaCell.

Best. Investment. Ever.

Being silly Sunday morning at breakfast.

Dear Sarah (43 Month Update)

Dear Sarah,

Today you are 43 months old, and are having a great Summer.  Here are some new milestones that you have accomplished since last month in June:

• You are swimming more confidently in the pool these days.  Granted, you're wearing orange floaties on your arms, but you are no longer afraid to get off the ladder.  You just jump on in and splash around! 
• You are singing more than "Twinkle Twinkle", you are singing songs from the radio or Mommy's mix cd.
• Your appetite is absolutely amazing.  You're eating so many fruits and veggies.  In fact, most nights at dinner, you ask me for more broccoli.  It could be a growth spurt, or it could just be the fact that you enjoy good, yummy food.  We don't know why, but we are  loving it.
• You just went on your first camping trip over the weekend, and you really LOVED playing with your cousins.
• It's ok to not like the bad guys in My Little Pony.  The Ponies always win ; )

You're doing a much better job at playing independently and getting along with your sister.  We're hoping that preschool this Fall will help improve that as well. 

Always remember we love you.  Thank you for making us laugh with your randomness and reminding us to be grateful in the small things.

Love you always,

Mommy & Daddy






                                              Here are a few photos of you from past July's

And here is what you look like in July 2012



We Have A Birthday Girl! Sam Is the Big 5!

Dear Samantha,

Today you turn 5 years old!  Daddy and I cannot believe that 5 years have passed since you arrived and made our lives so much brighter.  You've certainly changed and have grown in 5 years.

Some big milestones that you have accomplished in the last month:

• You are now really swimming... as in without a life jacket on.  You were able to before, but you just didn't believe in yourself and thought you couldn't do it.  Well, you put on your courage and growled at fear and swam several times from one end of Nanny's pool to the other.  Daddy was there to witness it too, so he was SO happy to see you accomplish that.
• You just went camping for the first time this past weekend.  We all went to Mount Blue State Park in Weld, Maine.  You had such a great time playing with your cousins, Damian, Malachi and Clara.  It was so nice to hear you laugh and have so much fun with them.
• Mommy and Daddy have figured out that we cannot spell words anymore with you around, because you're sounding the words out.

Here are some photos of you on your Birthday...

Here's a photo of you on your 5th Birthday!

(By the way, you're up to no good with your Sister and spraying the garden hose)



Thank you for being such a joy in our lives.  Yes, there are days where you fight with us, and you wear our patience down to the bone, but all in all, you are a very sweet, thoughtful girl.  You're learning why it's important to work and why it's important to be passionate about life and the things you accomplish in it.  Always remember that Daddy and I love you so very much.   Thank you for challenging us each day to be great role models for you for when you are older.  We hope you know that you can always come to us...anytime.  Anywhere.  We love you.

Love you always.  Happy 5th Birthday!

Love,

Mommy, and Daddy

Happy Birthday Madore-ables!

        Happy Birthday to the Madore-able blog!

Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to read my blog posts on our Madore-ables for the last 2 years.  I was a nervous wreck starting a blog.  I decided to start one so I could find a way to share the photos I took of the girls and tell stories about them.  Plus, I wanted to find a way to keep in touch with loved ones who don't get to see the Madore-ables all the time.

I really didn't think anyone would be interested in reading about a crazy stay at home to her 2 children, but I am so grateful that you enjoy reading about my crazy days; my sad days; my happy days; my "I'm so wicked proud of my kids" days.  It truly means a lot.  I just enjoy my husband and my two children and also my photography. 


Thank you so much in sharing these moments with us.

If you're interested, here are some interesting statistics since the blog was born:

• Over 40K views since July 1, 2010
• Most popular blog post to date with almost 7,500 views! 

Lemons and Puddles

                         There's a saying:  If life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.


                       Well, in our case:  When it rains, you get puddles.  So make a splash!

So make the most of what you have and make a splash while you're at it!