renaissance festival

You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.  ~Desmond Tutu

The Renaissance Festival is this crazy circus in the middle of nowhere Colorado where people dress up like it is Halloween every weekend.  I took a few pictures of just what the feel of the festival was:

And this man was NOT apart of the show...He was a visitor!!

These people weren't apart of the show either.  Do you get the feel of Halloween?!?!  I do!

The guy in the black was nicely yelling at Keila to get off the phone.  In front of a huge crowd even.  I was laughing so so hard!

Now that you can understand and appreciate what the festival was all about here are a few pictures of the family

This is screaming HALLOWEEN!! haha.  He was a little creepy!

100 proof SPF...CHECK!

Elephant ride anyone?!?!

Mom's FIRST funnel cake.  I know, right?!?!

So happy with Grandma

Grandpa always seemed to "walk" the baby asleep. (Really! I think dad must have walked Madison 29 miles by the time he went back home.  We had to inform Madison that this was her being spoiled and Mommy nor Daddy would be able to handle such a thing)

After a long and very stimulating day!

 

not the baby

I am sure you can't tell that my life is consumed with Madison.  Every post for the last four months likely has a picture of Madison in it or at minimum has her name in it.  I am a proud momma and it is hard not to share every exciting moment.  I have so many other roles in this life and motherhood has been the most challenging, exciting, worrisome role yet.  This is beyond cliche but truly every moment that goes by I am wondering what she is doing, how much she is eating, is she having a talkative day or a cranky day.  Motherhood has been the best and most stressful joy in my life.

Obviously each role takes up apart of your life.  As my dad said, sometimes one is more important than the other but re balancing is the key to making it all work.  Each one of my roles makes me happy, all in different ways.  I appreciate and embrace each one.

Being a Wife

Being a Sister

Being a Daughter

Being an Aunt

Being a Friend

 

Being a Nurse (Yep, that is me :)

And most of all just being me

bumbo

My wonderful friend, Erica House, got me this Bumbo seat.  Can you say AMAZING!!!  I believe I may love it more than Madison.  She sits in there on the counter while I am cooking or cleaning.  Yesterday she sat on the washer while I was getting clothes out of the dryer.  Madison loves being apart of the action but Mommy can't hold her everywhere I go..aka the washer room.  So this little gadget lets her sit and enjoy.  Here is our first day using it.  Just kicking and smiling :)

family reunion in MN and baby shower

We had a zero party / family reunion in MN a couple of weekends ago.  Basically everyone that was turning 30, 40, 50 or 80 got in on this bash.  Grandpa was turning 80 so he was the star of the party for obvious reasons (I mean come on, that is pretty old)....haha Grandpa you know I love you!  Spending time with family we haven't seen in almost 15 years was great.  Our Uncle Duane was a baby hog (but Madison just ate it up) and hanging out with the cousins seemed natural even after so long.  I know my grandparents enjoyed the party and get together as much as we did. 

Just waiting at the airport with ALOT of carry ons

Uncle Duane enjoying some cuddle time

Four Generations

Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and an excited Madison

Cousin Melissa

All the cousins

All the brothers and sisters (minus one) with the parents

My aunts wanted to throw a baby shower for me while I was in MN.  We celebrated with my cousins family and baby, Donijah.  The party was great.  Madison came out like bandit, with some super cute outfits and new books to add to the collection.

We played baby pictionary :)

All the sisters and their mom (aka Grandma to me)

look at this cute face

custer state park weekend

Ben is adamant, we are never to miss the Custer State Park Free Weekend.  The park has activities and events all weekend, including fishing derby's, ice cream socials, airplane shows, hay rides, cookouts and so much more.  Last year at this time I was pretending I was pregnant with a big blanket underneath my shirt and this year I have a little one to tow around.  Oh, have times changed...And in such an amazing way.  We had fun with both the families and my Grandma Benson was able to come out from MN and meet her first Great Grandchild.  Here are a few snip its from a very busy and exciting weekend (never mind that it was cold and rainy, we made the best of it).

Waiting for the airplane show to start

Resting very comfortably with Grandma

4 Generations!

Grandma and Grandpa loving on baby

Great Grandma enjoying some time withe her first Great Grand Child

All our beautiful nephews.  We love you so much little boys

Keeping warm in the dreary weather

First and Second place finishers in the fishing derby (with no help from us.. ;)

All the little ones wrapped up and ready for the drizzle

aunt keila

From Madison:

Thank you Aunt Keila for always being there for me.  You take such wonderful care of me and love me unconditionally (even during the times I am yelling at mommy and daddy or fussing because I am too tired).  I love our special time during the day when we get to say our ABC's or 1,2,3's.  You help me learn and grow. :)  I love you Aunt Keila!

my first mother's day

As a little girl I have always dreamed,
Of one day being grown;
Of having a home and family,
And a child of my own.

As a little girl I played the games,
With dollies cuddled near;
Of being a grown up Mommy,
And now that day is here.

For cuddled sweetly in my arms,
Of the little girl now grown;
Is the sweetest dream I ever dreamed,
A baby of my own.

In all the years of growing up,
In the games that little girls play;
None will ever be so sweet,
As my very first Mother's Day

~ Mommy of the sweetest baby.  My little Madison Taylore.

The dream was only a dream and now it has come true.  The greatest blessing God has ever given to me was my beautiful daughter.  I look at her and am filled with such an unbelievable amount of love.  Being "Mommy" means so much to me.  Having my first Mother's Day makes my heart melt.  

Baby Madison Mommy loves you :)

We spent the day picnicking at one of the Reservoirs on Pikes Peak.  We grilled some yummy hot dogs, enjoyed the beautiful 70 degree weather and just walked around with our little girl.  The day could not have been more perfect!