Just like big brother...

OK, so Sat. night we called (actually texted...weird, I know) a babysitter.  One of our favorites, Maddie decided she was up for the challenge of watching our three little monsters.  It was 15 minutes before she arrived and I was just about to go down the stairs to get ready to leave when I noticed the door shut in the boys' upstairs bathroom.  I thought that was weird since the only two that shuts the bathroom door were both downstairs.  That leaves Hudsen.  I opened the door to see what he was doing and found this:

I, of course, yelled just because I was shocked.  It was colored hair gel.  Kaden had gotten it in his stocking at Christmas and just applied some to his hair.  Well, Hudsen applied A LOT.  He started crying (probably because of my initial reaction) and kept saying, "I just wanted to be like Kaden..."  Poor little guy!  So, in the bathtub he went.
Needless to say, after that incident, the night involved a few of these:

Spring in Minnesota

"If you give up when its winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, and the fulfillment of your autumn." - writer unknown

Tomboy?

OK, for some reason I was thinking that when I would finally get my girl after two rough and tough boys she would be super girlie-girl.  Kind of like this:

 After witnessing my 13-month-old daughter climbing everything she can possibly climb (stairs, lego table, fireplace seat/ledge, etc.), destroying anything she can possibly destroy (think books torn in pieces, cupboards and drawers torn apart and emptied, etc.),

and (this is a major one, pay attention!) putting everything she comes in contact with in her mouth (in this picture she is eating dirt.  She kept going after more).

Adalyn definitely isn't in the running for a girlie-girl award.

The grossest (that's not a word, is it?) two things so far have been a cigarette butt at the park and her own poop in the bathtub.  I know, no mother of the year award for me.  Seriously GROSS.  I am pretty sure, in my recollection, that my two boys didn't do anything like that, ever.  Is it just because this is my third child and I am busy keeping track of the other two?  I am really hoping that is it.  Or maybe it's just typical baby stuff.  I just don't remember going through some of this.  She is SO busy!  Am I complaining?  No, absolutely not.  I think a mother tends to, even though we aren't supposed to, compare our children to each other.  You can't help but to do it.  Jeremy and I have been saying this for the last few months: "I don't remember the boys doing that".  We will stop as soon as she understands us so we don't do lasting damage!  She is, however, still a fabulous sleeper and eater, happy and healthy. They always say that God gives you no more than you can handle and I believe that with all of my heart.  I'm happy to have had a lower maintenance newborn this time around and absolutely cannot wait to see what the future and toddlerhood holds for her.  As for now, I will keep pushing the baby dolls and dressing her in adorable dresses!  

First steps

Adalyn is not walking quite yet, but here are some of her first steps. She took about two steps a few weeks ago, but here is a video that I took of her this morning trying to walk to me. Someone help me keep her a baby for a little bit longer...

Kaden's basketball photos

An oldie but a goodie

I found this video of Hudsen at the sweet age of two, wearing a butterfly net on his head hamming it up for the camera. I'll do the mommy translating in case you can't understand him. He is saying hi to his Grandpa Horner. It amazes me how you forget how they were when they were younger.

Some of Addie's Birthday pictures.

My awesome, super-talented friend Monica came over to our house and took Adalyn's 1st birthday pictures. We transformed our front living room into a mini-studio. The natural light in that room is so awesome and Adalyn actually put up with our tutus, beads, bows and all other things girlie! We were exhausted after the shoot, but it was SO worth it after I saw these shots. I'm so lucky to have these pictures of my little girl to cherish forever!

Some of Addie's birthday shoot photos. 

I'll post pictures and video of her actual birthday celebration soon!