Newport Beach 2009: Speechless

Hey oh! So, let's get right into this! So every other year, the Madsen's head on over to California. It's pretty much the best. So this year was nothing different! Except we had costumes. In the words of Barney Stinson, "It was awesome." (If you don't watch How I Met Your Mother, that probably means nothing to you. If you do watch it: I know, right?! It's the best.) So here we go. Suit Up!! Ashlii and Sophie. This was before we even left for California. They just knew it was going to be fun packed, so they got their rest in.

The family, ready to embark on the 6 hour drive from St. George. You don't even know what it took to get this picture. (it took a lot.)

Our uniforms. That's Neil Patrick Harris on the front. We really love him. And HIMYM*. We also got pajama pants. And on the back, it has all of our names...kind of like a concert t-shirt.

We were getting ready for the first beach day. The kiddies love watching some Disney channel...I was braiding Tessa's hair.Apparently someone taught her how to do blowfishes on the window...that someone's name probably rhymes with Shmalex. I think.

Finally, we made it to the beach. Tessa actually loved it, which was exciting. She did take one little fall, which made for an interesting few minutes, but she was totally fine after that.

My brother also got us tickets to see Conan O'brien. This is us waiting to go in. We actually had VIP tickets so we only waited like 10 minutes...that's right, we're important. It was way fun. And a lot different than it looks on television! We got to see Adam Sandler, Peter Sarsgaard, and Kate Voegelle. I'm pretty sure I didn't spell those names right, but I've seen them in real life...have you? That's what I thought.

We also did a lot of shopping. I know, weird right? Not really, if you don't love to shop in the Madsen family, you can't truly be a part of the Madsen family. Alex is still working on becoming a true member. Anyway, every single mall in California has a carousel. And Tessa noticed...

Carousel at Fashion Island. I got a picture of her at all the other carousels, so just picture this 3 times with different outfits.

All the grandkids, fully suited up. Quick back story-notice Rubie's arm is in a sling. Well a few weeks ago, her little baby elbow popped out of the socket. And would you believe it happened again, like the second day we were in California? Well believe it, there's proof right in front of you! Poor baby. She's ok though. I think...actually, Ashlii...if you are reading this, is her arm fixed? Text me. Or call. Or I'll call you.

And that's it! This is just another swimsuit shot of Tessa. She's actually much tanner in real life. It's kind of sad. And I'm not. My 2 year old can tan, and I can't. For the record, I really like my hair color with my skin tone, so I put on a lot of sunscreen. So I'm cool with it. And I'm not even joking.

*HIMYM: acronym for How I Met Your Mother

Cupcakes You Can Cuddle

I may have already posted this months ago, but we officially have a website (thanks in large part to my boo)! Check it out, spread the word!

http://cupcakesyoucancuddle.squarespace.com

Up the Canyon

So I'm blogging again, twice in 1 week!!! K-razy. The sad thing is, I just finished this blog, and then I deleted it somehow, and when I went to get it out of my drafts, it had saved the blank post...so here we go. Last night we went up Little Cottonwood Canyon with Alex's friends. Back story: Mike, who you may remember from previous posts, got this job where he travels ALL THE TIME. Seriously, more than Alex. So he was home finally, but he was leaving again on Tuesday (today). So Alex, being the adorable friend that he is, decided to throw a little going away thing for him. I actually think Alex just wanted an excuse to eat roasted marshmallows. But anyway...so we plan this thing for Mike and most everyone could come-even our California friends (you know who you are) were here, so it was going to be a par-tay! Then Mike tells us he's leaving Monday morning...so we had a big Bon Voyage party for Mike, and he wasn't even there. It's funny when you think about it...are you thinking about it? Hilarious, right? But Mike, you'll be missed...seriously, there's only so much fun to be had with just Steve and Andy. So hurry back! Here are some pictures to document the event:

First, Steve and Andy made Alex and me tin foil dinners. I've never actually had a dinner that is cooked a top coals, so you can imagine I was terrified. Plus, Steve and Andy might try to poison me...I'm not sure how they really feel about me...but it was so good!!

This picture doesn't look too great, but it was so so so good! That's three so's. So you know I loved it, because normally I only use one. That's my fork...little did that dinner know, I was about to devour it!

Andy, Steve, Alex, and me enjoying our dinners. Everyone else ate hot dogs. Or Taco Bell. Too bad for them.

Tessa showing us the marshmallow in her mouth. And no, she doesn't have a shirt on. It got really wet, so she couldn't have that.

This is Steve trying to convince Adam's new girl that she needed to prove herself worthy by stuffing a bunch of marshmallows into her mouth at once. She did it eventually. I got it on film. I'm just waiting for the right time to post it. Steve's all about food challenging people. It's the best.

Alex's friends all started throwing marshmallows at each other, so Tessa wanted to get in on the action:

This was her wind up. But she never threw it, she just ate it. She gets hungry.

Anyway, that's all I've got. It was way fun...hopefully Mike will go out of town a lot more, so we can have going away parties every weekend!

(Mike, I'm sort of kidding. We can have parties when you are not going out of town too. Maybe we'll even invite you!)

Independence Day

So since I haven't posted in a while, I figured I would just share our Fourth of July adventures. I know the 4th was so 3 days ago, but whatev. I didn't have anything else to blog about! So every year we go to the Centerville Parade and every year it does not disappoint. The best part is when the baseball teams come through, and they almost take your eye out while throwing taffys...it's the best. Anyway, last year Tessa was all about running into the street and getting candy, but this year she was a little apprehensive about it. Leslie had to get the candy and bring it to her feet, then she'd reach down and grab it.

Tessa and Trace sitting at the parade. Tessa is so patriotic. Hence her flag.

After the parade we usually go swimming, but we went to a park instead. It was fun-we ate good food. Tessa had a freak out, but it was no big deal.

The family at the park-Tessa wouldn't look at the camera. I don't know what her deal is.

Then, that night we went to Alex's aunt and uncles house. We had a fun barbecue, and then watched fireworks. If you don't know about Alex's family, they are pyromaniacs. Every one of them. It's terrifying. 2 years ago, Alex was lighting bottle rockets in a cup, and the cup tipped over so they shot into the crowd. It would've been funny, except one of them went up Tessa's shorts and burned her stomach pretty bad. She was only 8 months old. So this year I tried to ban him from lighting the fireworks. It worked for like 10 minutes. Then, he asked our 2 year old if she wanted to light some. I'm thinking next year we go to Canada for the 4th of July, that way there won't be any fireworks. Take that Alex. (FYI, she didn't light any with him. I was pretty mad about that suggestion, and Alex picked up on my anger. He's a clever one.)

Tessa and Sara with their sparklers. They had fun with each other. And then this is Tessa tackling Sara and Kaylee. They were all really tired, but for some reason they thought chasing each other and this ball would be a good time. It was adorable.

Anywhoodle, that was our fourth. Way interesting, right? I'll get better at being fun.

I'm Back.

Scared? You should be. I kid. I'm not scary-at least, not always. Anyway, last week we went to St. George with Alex's family and it was a blast! So I figured, people want to share in this-hence, blogging. We drove down on Wednesday and came home Sunday, but let me just tell you, there was not a moment wasted! We packed in the fun...so sit back and relax...or read this.

Day 1-Sand Hollow

One important thing to know about Alex's family is that they are outdoor people. They all know how to water ski and boat and stuff like that. I don't...but that doesn't stop me! The first day, we went to Sand Hollow which is like a mini Lake Powell (so I hear, I've never been to Lake Powell...I'm ok with it though, don't be sad for me.) We rented wave runners...more like wave FUNners! They were so much fun, and even Tessa enjoyed them. I told Doug that when I get on them it turns me into a lesbian because they made me say weird things like, "Let's ride!" and "Do it to it!" Stuff along those lines-like awesome things. Tessa in her "jacket life." She called it that all day. I think she really believed that jacket was a jacket that produced life. She's so weird. Love her.The family getting ready to ride. Everytime Alex would stop to talk to me, Tessa would yell at him to go faster! And then I could hear her screaming as they rode-it was funny.Alex is so hot right now. I hope he's embarrassed by this. I am. (just kidding, boo. You look hot.)

After going out on the wave runners, Tessa spent most of the day in the water with Trace. I'm sure she was telling him some story or something. She's really animated.There was this island in the middle of the lake, so everyone wanted to go cliff diving. This is the boys at the top, awaiting their destiny.

I got pictures of all of them, but this one it the best. No, it's not flipped wrong-Jordy was really horizontal to the water, because he had done a flip off of the cliff. It was beautiful.

Tessa fell asleep in Mindy's lap-she was really tired! So this is our little family, with Tessa zonked.

Day 2-Swimming

The next day, everyone went swimming at the Green Valley swimming pool. It was fun just to sit there, even though we didn't stay very long-Tessa fell asleep walking back to the pool, again in Mindy's arms. Mindy has a way with her. But before that, she was quite animated, once again.

Everyone hanging out. If you look really closely in the background, you can see Doug carrying everyone's stuff over to where we were sitting. He did that twice. So helpful.Tessa didn't actually want to swim, she just wanted to push everyone in. So this is her leading Leslie to her doom.

And this is her pushing Doug. He got it the most I think.

Day 3-Zion National Park

The next day, we went to Zion to hike. I know, right? I'm totally outdoorsy now. But one fun thing was that it was Free National Park Day! Everyone loves free.

Tessa on the shuttle. She has no idea what's coming.This is how Tessa traveled most of the way up to the Emerald Pools. Being a kid rocks. I tried to get Alex to carry me on his shoulders, and he rejected that idea. So lame.Proof we were there. I totally climbed up on that rock to take this picture. Suck on that.Tessa's model pose. She was eating an oreo at the last pool and kept striking this pose. I don't know if she was trying to impress someone, but I'm betting not, since she does this kind of stuff all the time when no one's watching. Or when someone's watching, she doesn't discriminate.

I have a ton of other pictures of the days we were there, but we could take all day if we post those!! It was a really fun trip and we were sad to leave. Mostly because Alex left the next day for Houston, and no one wants that. And Tessa and I already are driving each other crazy, so the next two weeks should be awesome!

(Sarcasm. Original!)

Crazy Legs

So I am currently watching my sister Cessy's boys. Well, not currently-currently I'm blogging...I'm not sure where they ran off too...Kidding, I'm watching them. Don't worry Ces. But anyway, for those who don't know how f-ing adorable they are, I'm sharing. I think Tessa is adorable but she's a girl, so I'm going to venture to say they are the cutest boys ever (until I have a little boy, obviously!) This is Stone. Yes, that's Tessa's hat. He also has on Tessa's shoe. Just one shoe, not both. He's the cutest little cross dresser I've ever met. He's the next Dr. Frank-N-Furter. At least that's the hope! I kept asking him if he wanted to smile, and he kept saying "No, take it." He's such a gentle spirit.
I had to throw a cute picture of Tessa in here, just so she doesn't get jealous when she starts reading my blog. I'm thinking that'll be pretty soon since she's mastered my iTouch at the ripe old age of 2. This was at Color Me Mine, making stuff.

And this, my friends, is the point of the entire blog. You'll notice I titled it Crazy Legs. That wasn't just a fun name. For those who have met Sebastian, you'll know he's a happy little baby. He's so stonkin cute, it's disgusting. Well, he is a kicker. If you hold him up in the air, he just kicks his heart out. He almost kicked his way out of my hands today. And yesterday. So I was just sitting at my computer, minding my own business, thinking he was drinking a bottle. Then I realized he was being pretty quiet. So I looked down and he was waiting for me to play peek-a-boo with him or something. He pulled his little car seat hood over his face and just waited until I noticed, then he would kick like crazy. So I got it filmed up all nice.


Look at those legs go! He's so energetic. That's after he's rolled around on my floor for like an hour-you'd think he'd be tired or something, but no! Anywho, that's all. Those are my cute nephews. If you want more of them, go to Cessy's blog.

David Archuleta!!! And some soccer team...

I'm kidding, I know the soccer team. I believe they are known as Real Salt Lake. A little bit ago, Alex's parents got the family tickets to the Real game-but it was extra special, because David Archuleta (Utah's own American Idol) was singing the National Anthem and doing a concert when the game was over. So last night, we all got to enjoy our favorite things. Alex got soccer, I got a teen idol, and Tessa got a churro. Aw, the joys of life. The family at the game-Alex was taking the picture. Tessa and Alex, cheering for the game.

Tessa and her churro that she totally stole from the people next to us. (Don't worry, we knew them.)

DAVID ARCHULETA!!!!! I totally cried.

You can't see this really well, but we were sitting right underneath the jumbotron-so Leslie is staring lovingly up at Archie while I cry my eyes out. He was touching my very soul with his voice!

The very last song he sang was a new one, so he asked the crowd to "get up, dance, jump-just really get into it."

Doug was happy to oblige. I'm pretty sure he cried too.

Alex and me. My hair apparently is purple now...I'm not sure what that's about.

Tessa with Jordy. He found this half of a noise maker, and she's still beating my head with it today.

The family at the end of the game-I didn't get a picture with any Real Paraphernalia, so this is in the Jordan Commons parking garage.

It was really fun-even though I only went for the concert, I got into the game as well. I'm pretty sure we tied. I'm not sure though... BUT to cap off the awesome night, I spent the rest of it puking everything I had eaten the day before. So that was fun. I'm feeling ok now, but I'm pretty sure I'm 5-10 pounds thinner.