Surprise!!!

I was 33 weeks pregnant and on Tuesday July 21 I got the shock of my life. My water broke. I was making dinner when it happened. I went to the hospital to check it out and they made me stay for observation. I stayed in there for three days bored out of my mind. The food this time around was awful. The goal was to stay pregnant until 34 weeks which was on Sunday July 26. This wasn't going to happen. On Friday July 24 the baby arrived at 7:42a.m.

Annie LaVean Madsen

Annie weighed 4lbs 10 oz

After a quick look they took Annie to the NICU

After evaluation she was a very healthy girl. Just really small.
They put her on Oxygen, and a feeding tube.

Brian's hand just comparing size.

Annie loves to hold your hand.

Stable and doing well!

Mommy got to hold Annie for the first time

Isn't she beautiful!

Proud Daddy is really worried and nervous to hold Annie.

Just hanging out all wired up.

The kids came to visit me. They are not allowed in the NICU. The only way they could see what Annie looked like was through pictures.

Preston all over the bed. He is going to have the hardest time with the new addition.

The loves of my life!

Every moment is so precious to me.

Daddy's little girl.

Annie was under the lights she had a little jaundice. Look at her very high fashioned glasses. She got off of the oxygen today!

Annie's first bottle feeding.

Just the little things that you take for granted.

First Burping. She let out a good one.

Our little Annie is here and we love her!

Freedom

4th of JULY

We caught Preston in the back yard. He thought it was funny.

Small town celebrations are the best! Yes we let the kids go on a few scary rides. Those traveling carnivals scare me. There are too many lost screws both on the rides and with the people running the rides.
Preston loved the train and only the train.

Wesley and Riley swinging high.

Preston and Brian trying to shoot the target.

Wesley conquered the bull!

Parade in Mt. Pleasant

Brian and the Pregnant wife. Don't look up my skirt. I am showing some leg or better put G's.

Brett, Kevin, and Brian hanging out at the parade.

Riley is beautiful!

Wesley is always being silly.

It was a hot day at the parade.

She is very patriotic.

Blue Diamond Triathlon

We entered Wesley in a children's triathlon here is Vegas. The kids have to swim 50 yd. Bike 2 miles. Run 1/2 mile. He trained really hard to get ready. He enjoyed pushing himself. The last few weeks of training he had to do all three events at once. There wasn't any complaining or crying. he just had the attitude lets get it done.

Wesley on the morning of the triathlon. Ready to go!

Waiting at the swimming pool


Stretching for the big race.

The triathlon has started and he is in the pool.

On the home stretch

Biking was next

The Run was a killer, but he pushed on.

Coming around to the finish line. Home stretch of the race

The finish line
Wesley we are so proud of you. What an accomplishment!

You had so much fun and said that you wanted to try it next year.

Take us out to the ball games!

Wesley plays with the A's. This year it is kid pitch.

There are a few wild pitches.
Wesley had to try-out and then a team had to draft him.

Riley plays for the Muckdog's. It is coach pitch.

A friend and her are the only girls.

The boys call them the "power hitters".

I think it is because they hit the ball.

Busy, Messy, Fun

These are the Strawberries

This is the strawberry chopper

Award winning strawberry jam comes out in the end . (Only in our freezer)

Riley and I had a great time making strawberry jam.

She is learning how to not chop half the strawberry

off when trying to get the stems.

Thank you Riley for all of your help!

Turning 6

Riley Jean turned 6

You are such a sweet little girl! You are full of laughter and smiles. You love to sing. Your made up songs in gibberish are the best. Once you were singing in the car and someone with us said "when did you teach her another language?" You are a tease. We thought Wesley was the culprit of the teasing but with deeper investigation it was you. You act shy but really aren't. You love being with friends and family. We are not looking forward to 16 because you are so beautiful! We love you Riley and enjoy you in our lives.

I love to make cakes and after so many
years it is hard to find good ideas.
I made her a purse.
The kids enjoy them. They don't see the mistakes thank goodness.

Riley went crazy over the purse.

Riley loves princesses especially the Polly pocket ones.