My baby is 2!!!

Can you believe it? Maddox turned 2 on Friday, October 24th.

We got him some Halloween pjs for his birthday.

We had a combo birthday party for Rowan (3), Phebe (6) and Maddox(2) last Friday that was a Halloween themed party.

Here are the kids all dressed up! Phebe the Cat, Avery the Cat, Rowan the Artist, & Maddox as Ratatouille. Cheese!

Maddox and Grandpa Chuck hanging out.

Elmo even came to visit at the birthday party!

Rowan, Maddox & Elmo

Phebe & Elmo

All of the kids with Elmo

The birthday kids and their parents too.

Maddox just really wanted to eat his birthday cake, so he dug right it.

He did, however, feel like Daddy needed a taste too.

This is Maddox trying to eat his cake like a dog.

Elmo's back by request. We were opening presents when Maddox says, "Can Elmo come back a little bit?" So sweet Grandma Michelle couldn't resist.

More presents!

Maddox's first doctor kit.

Checking out Mommy's ears.

And of course his own ears.

Great Grandma Adeline with the grand kids and Elmo.

Ratatouille! Daddy was themed with Maddox for the movie.

Maddox got his first putter and was super excited about it. Now he has a real driver and putter. It's for 3-5 year olds so he'll have to grow into them.

Carving pumpkins!Yuck! Look at all the guts. We did roast the pumpkin seeds that night too and they were quite yummy.

Maddox working on his pumpkin design.

The final product - a daddy, mommy and baby pumpkin.

Maddox really enjoyed taking the tops off of the pumpkins and looking at the flame in amazement.All lit up for the evening.

Man, a birthday and pumpkin carving all in one weekend can really wear a kid out!

Doctor's visit for Maddox's 2 year check-up. Maddox checked out perfect. He's still in the 90th percentile for everything and as healthy as can be.

Vacation!

Over MEA weekend Corey's whole family headed up to Duluth/Two Harbors for a family vacation. Here's our stop at Canal Park in Duluth.

Maddox had a blast throwing rocks into Lake Superior


I think Daddy had fun skipping rocks too.



Here's Phebe & Maddox trying to break into the lighthouse. It was all locked up, but they were pretty determined to get in.

Friday we headed to Tettagouche State Park for some hiking.
Family Picture!
Of course Maddox wanted to do more of the same, throwing rocks.

Then he was on to climbing rocks and finding "BIG sticks".

Wow! What a view, eh?

This was Maddox's mode of travel on most of our hikes.

Diaper changing on the trail. Maddox said, "Mom, I peed" so stop we must.
And we're off again.

Maddox and Phebe have become quite the buds lately.

Maddox and I took the afternoon off for a nap while everyone else headed to Palisade. Yikes!

Friday night we played Uno with the kids. It was Maddox's first time.

He actually won!!! He was quite excited and vocal with enthusiasm.
The cheering went on for about 5 minutes, but it was quite cute.

Saturday we headed to Gooseberry Falls.

Be careful Andy!!! This was not a relaxing moment for any of us.

More skipping rocks.
This time Maddox spent a lot of time pushing sand around.
And getting a bit dirty.

The falls!


Just relaxing on some rocks.

Let's just say Saturday wore Maddox out.Here he is waiting for his lunch. Every time the waitress would walk by he would say, "she bringing my lunch?"

He always had that hopeful look on his face...
...but it took a little longer than he had hoped. I thought he was going to fall asleep right there at the table, but he got his food, ate and then we headed back for a nap.
Saturday evening we at pizza at Great Grandma Flo's house. The kids played Simon Says (well I guess Jenna's not really a kid).

I think Maddox hoped he'd be able to play, but he did enjoy watching. He doesn't quite have an attention span for a game like that yet.
HUGS! Thanks for hosting Grandma Flo!

Off to bed. Here's the kids reading with Auntie Jenna before bed Saturday night.

Sunday morning we headed back home. Goodbye vacation!