My Nate, a.k.a. TEENAGER! Gulp.

Yesterday my Nate turned 13! Wow, I'm old. And I'm a midget when he stands next to me and towers over me. Nathan is the kindest, most caring, and responsible guy around. He's always there to lend a hand to anyone. He is liked by one and all, always surrounded by friends. Whenever I go to a school function, I'm always hearing from friends and teachers alike what a nice, good friend/kid Nate is. I so admire and am amazed by the confidence and self assurance that he has in himself, things that I've always lacked, especially in my teens. He's never afraid to participate in school activities, doesn't worry if it's the "cool" thing to do or not, he just does it and has fun. He has definitely inherited his uncles' very sarcastic sense of humor, and we're helping him to fine tune and realize when it's appropriate to use, something my brothers didn't learn until their wives came along to help "filter" them.:)My Nate is such a blessing in our lives, and we are so proud of the amazing young man is becoming.
Nate had a pretty great birthday. He started his day with a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and orange juice prepared and served by his sister and Cousin Molly. Then his Sunday School teacher Mike Luhm treated him and some friends to a day at Speed Zone. When he got home, Todd and I surprised him and took him to pick out a new phone, so he no longer has the cheapie free phone. He now has one with a full keyboard, his dream come true! That night we dined on tacos and burritos, per his request, and ended with a quick round of Happy Birthday and some birthday brownies.

Mr. Teenager Birthday Boy

For whatever reason, we ended up singing and blowing out the candles in the kitchen. Random.

Happy Birthday To You Nate! Aunt Kami and Uncle Scott stopped by just in time to join us in singing and eating brownies.

Birthday Fun

Today we celebrated Nathan and Madison's birthdays with the Chitwood side of the family. Nate and Maddie chose the dinner which consisted of corned beef, broccoli with parmesan cheese, apple salad, green salad bar, mashed potatoes, and homemade rolls. Yummy.

In attendence were Great Nana, Grandma and Grandpa Chitwood, Uncle Ryan and Auntie Crystal, Uncle JJ and Aunt Kristen, The Stooksbury Family (Phil Stooksbury steps in as Uncle Sean's replacement at family functions since Sean is living in Georgia. He's known around here as "Fun Sean" or "Asian Sean"), and of course our little family.

Maddie opening her Monster High Doll from Auntie Crystal and Uncle Ryan with Shelby looking on. Auntie Crystal is in the background.

Maddie, Jack, and Brian checking out her Squinkies from Grandma and Grandpa Chitwood. Grandma and Auntie are in the background.

A fun new book also from Grandma and Grandpa entitled, "The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes". Can't wait to hear that one.

Aunt Kristen and Uncle JJ gave her a fun pillowcase that she can color, her favorite thing to do.

The Stooksbury family got her a super fun hair styling chair and accessories for her American Girl doll.

Nana went a little overboard at the American Girl store last week and got a ton of outfits for Kate, Maddie's doll. This is a pic of one of many outfits.

Nate got a bunch of backpacking/hiking/camping supplies from Grandma and Grandpa.

Uncle Ryan and Aunt Cyrstal got Nate a motorcycle riding jersey and a rocket with launcher. Nate mainly got what every teenager loves~ Cash money.

Maddie with her favorite: Angel Food cake with strawberries on it and Nate with his favorite: Yellow cake with homemade chocolate frosting.

Nate looks a little worried here. 13 candles are a lot to blow out!

Absolutely LOVE this picture of Shelby looking up adoringly at Nate.

Miss Madison

Our fabulous Miss Madison just turned 7. Yep, that's right- 7 years old! I'm so excited to watch her grow, and learn, and blossom into the beautiful young lady that she is inside and out. But it also, deep down in my heart, makes me cry a little because my baby is far from being a baby anymore. Sigh... In honor of the birthday girl I decided to do a post all about her. The following are just some random happenings and comments that she has recently done and made.

~In November we had the end of our first quarter at school and I attended Maddie's teacher conference. When I sat down with her teacher, the first words out of her mouth were, "Madison is brilliant." My reaction, being the wonderful, sensitive mother that I am, was to laugh out loud. I truly thought that she was joking with me. But as she looked at me with a confused look I saw that she was completely serious, to which my reply was, "You're serious?" Um yes, she was serious. Now don't get me wrong, I know my Maddie is a sharp girl, but she's also- how do I put this? Very blond. Do you follow me? Anyways, her teacher, Mrs. Liles, went on to explain to me that Maddie is the top of her class, and that she excels in and is strong in every subject, which is unusual because usually you're strong in the english subjects, and not as strong in math and vice versa, etc. She told me that if Maddie hears something once, she remembers it from then on. So that's that. Our daughter is brilliant. Who knew?

~The week before Thanksgiving, Maddie and Grandma Chitwood went to the library, and Maddie checked out 5 chapter books. When it was time to return the books, we could find all but one: Home On The Range. Grandma called and renewed the book so we had a few more weeks to find it before getting any fines. It came to 2 days before the book was due, and I was tearing up the house looking for the book. Finally, we asked Maddie if she remembered when and where she had the book last. She said yes she remembered. She said the last time she had the book, she was walking from our house to Grandma's house. It was 2 days before Thanksgiving, and she walked past Aunt Amber who was outside on the porch. Then she tells us,"And while I was walking, I was reading my book, and the last thing I read it it was," Their worst enemies aren't dogs and squirrels, their worst enemies are fences." We all looked at her for a minute and then kind of chuckled. Sure she remembered the last line she read in a book 2 months ago. Later on that night we found the book. We flipped through the pages, and would you believe on the bottom of the page in the second chapter read, "Their worst enemies aren't dogs and squirrels, their worst enemies are fences." It read word for word, exactly what she said. Hmm, maybe her teacher was right about that memory thing....

~On Friday, December 30th, Maddie and Trevor had a Grandpa Day with Grandpa Chitwood. They had a big day planned. They rode the train to the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. They left about 9 in the morning and then didin't get home until about 6:30 that night. Around 5PM I got a call and it was Madison. She was crying and told me she missed me. She said that they were on the train on their way back home. I asked if she had a good time and in a sad, crying voice she said, "Yes I had a wonderful time." I got her calmed down and said I'd see her soon and hung up. Later when they were home, my dad told me he looked over at Maddie when they were riding the train home and she was sad and near tears. He asked her what was wrong and she told him, "I just really miss my mom. I have separation issues." That's when my dad gave her the phone to call me. What a nut. What 6 year old says they have separation issues?!

Madison's 7th Birthday Celebration!
Our little family had a small party for Mads the night of her birthday. Daddy brings Madison a bouquet of flowers every year on her birthday. Pretty dang sweet!

The birthday fun kept on going the next day when Madison, Grandma Chitwood, Great Nana, and Mommy went to the American Girl store to get a new doll that looked just like Maddie and to have dinner in the reataurant there.

Maddie with her new doll that she named Kate. She also bought a puppy for Kate named Chocolate Chip. We got to eat out on the terrace and enjoyed a delicious 4 course meal.

                                                        Best friends sharing secrets.

For dessert we each got delicious, decadent chocolate mousse served in a cute flower pot with a flower. Maddie had a candle in hers and they sang happy birthday to her.

Maddie with Kate, Mommy, Grandma Chitwood, and Great Nana

Maddie with our waitress Dawn

Just as we're leaving the store. Nana decided Kate needed that cute beanie so she bought it.

A very tired, very happy little girl! Needless to say, with 2 grandmas there Madison was spoiled rotten. :) Nana was just as excited and giddy to be there as Maddie! We had so much fun and will remember this day forever!

~Last but not least....

Madison has been having stomach aches for the last year that we just can't figure out. So she started seeing a Pediatric GI specialist at CHOC hospital. Wednesday of this week Maddie went in to CHOC to have a biopsy done on her esophagus (sp?), stomach, and intestines. They were checking for Celiac Disease among other things. Now we play the waiting game for the results. We should get them in a week.

Just Chillin waiting to go to the O.R. You can't see them here  but Grandma Chitwood made Maddie some super cute purple satin Fancy Nancy pajamas for today. All of the nurses kept telling her how cute they were!

They staff were so amazing there. While one nurse was putting the I.V. in, another nurse had Maddie play a dress-up doll game on her IPad. Maddie never even felt it. Then she kicked back and watched cartoons.

Afterwards they gave her Oreos and Gatorade, which Daddy kept holding for her while she drank. Oh no, she's not spoiled at all! And of course we watched more cartoons. I never got oreos when I was in recovery! And I had to hold my own drink. Jealous! :)

Thank you, thank you one and all who have been keeping our Miss Mads in your thoughts and prayers. We are comforted and overwhelmed by your love. Know that you are all in our prayers of gratitude.

Well that's what's been going on with our Miss Mads lately. We love this girl and are so blessed to have her in our lives!

Soccer Time!

Trevor and Maddie both played soccer this year and both had an amazing season.

Trev's team was the "Thunder", otherwise known as the little team that could.Todd was an assistant coach for his team. Trevor played halfback/midfield and did it well. Their team didn't have that 1 standout star player that all of the other teams in their division had, but they were all determined, strong players with a lot of heart and ended up getting 2nd place in their division!

Miss Madison played on "Purplicious" and had amazing coaches: Coach Mike and Coach Esther. Maddie has the funniest kick that is nearly impossible to explain. She kind of hop/skips and then kicks the ball.You really have to see it. This year Maddie was all about running with all of her might to follow the ball, but not quite aggressive enough to actually take the ball. Although with that being said, she did score 3 goals this season to our shock and amazement. :) She was always the first to run over and check on a girl that was crying, or who was on the ground, or hurt. She has a huge heart, our Maddie!

Look at that determination!

Goal!!!!!

Playing in the Dirt

Todd and the kids had Veteran's day off, so we decided to pack up the family and the bikes and head to the desert for the day. It was a gorgeous day, and we all had a blast.

The kiddos all geared up. Nate, Trevor, Maddie

Getting ready to ride. Nate checking his tire pressure and Trevor gearing up.

Maddie resting up and waiting for the boys to get ready.

One minute Nate is helping Maddie.....

And the next he's taking off with her bike!

The family riding off into the sunset. Trevor, Nate, Maddie, Todd

Daddy giving Maddie some pointers.

A Very Soggy Buddy Walk

Each year our family is lucky enough to attend the Down's Syndrome Buddy Walk with our friend Maddy Luhm and her family. It's held at the Angel Stadium on the field, and it is a wonderful, fun-filled family day. This year however, it POURED! But we bundled up,grabbed our umbrellas, filled up on a lot of hot chocolate, and ended up enjoying the day.

Maddy, the star of the day! She has a huge crush on Justin Bieber, and for the walk itself there is a wagon competition, so of course Justin was the star of Maddy's wagon. It was so cute. All of the adults kept taking turns holding Justin up because he kept trying to jump ship. He was also a little soggy. It stopped raining just in time for the walk.

Our Maddie and Trevor won some Beanie Babies from a game they played that day. There are always different characters along the walk route to cheer us on. Maddie insisted on a pic with this storm trooper. I promise Nate was there too, but lately it seems he disappears as soon as my camera comes out.