Daddy, Mommy, William and Madelyn had an early wake up at Chautauqua - even earlier than Papa!
After Madelyn woke from her morning nap Mommy and Daddy gradually started packing to go home. The plan was to have Madelyn take her afternoon nap on the way home and with any luck William would fall asleep too. The plan worked. Both Madelyn and William napped on the way home and continued to nap in the running, air conditioned van sitting in the driveway. The dose of Benadryl worked for Duke too!
Madelyn had her second day of rice cereal. It didn't go any better than yesterday. She'll get it eventually!
Later in the afternoon the fam went to Target and picked up a pool for William. Daddy was able to put all his hot air to use by blowing it up. After all that, it turns out it is going to be returned. Mommy and Daddy don't feel its safe.
William and Madelyn took a bath together for the first time! They both had fun. William enjoyed entertaining (as usual)!
Thank you to all the service men and woman for all they do for our country!
Bags and the cooler were packed and ready to go to Chautauqua soon after Madelyn woke up from her morning nap. Everyone, including Duke, were in the van ready to head out to the lake, as a family, the first time this year!
The ride went well. Duke was calmer than normal due to a couple Benadryl pills. Madelyn dosed off for a little while (not part of the plan, but oh, well) and William watched a movie. Mommy and Daddy, of course, had to stop for their life line: Tim Horton's. It was a good drive. Mommy realized they forgot William's life jacket, which will actually become Madelyn's this year. A stop at Wal Mart was in order. William is now a proud owner of a toddler life jacket!
It was a gorgeous day. The Matt Butwin family arrived first. Then Mimi and Papa and Andrew. There was some quick yard work done by the guys and lunch before the fun began. Madelyn had to borrow a life jacket from the neighbors for her first EVER boat ride! It was Mickey Mouse, someone who she will come to appreciate a little later in life. Madelyn didn't like getting the jacket on and fussed a bit, but was fast asleep in just about 2 minutes after the boat left the dock.
Daddy also tried his new wake skate. He did an awesome job considering he hasn't been in the water for quite awhile. Looking good!
Madelyn tried rice cereal for the first time today! Kind of messy. She didn't know what to think of it, but definitely enjoyed playing with the spoons.
William has learned his first song and he put on a show for the family. Five Little Monkeys has never been cuter!
Mommy, Daddy, Mimi and Papa had a good time catching up after Madelyn and William were in bed for the night.
Laura and Pete got married! And what a beautiful day. Mommy left the house around 11:45 AM to get hair and make-up done with Laura and Jamie. The afternoon was a whirlwind of on-the-go preparation and photo shoots.
Daddy, William, Madelyn, Mimi and Papa met Mommy at the Buffalo Botanical Gardens a little bit before the ceremony. Madelyn and William napped well and Madelyn was good until 3:30 or so. She protested the bottle so the gang head out to Lackawanna early. Mommy nursed Madelyn before the ceremony. It was amazing and inspiring and just perfect! Mommy cried A LOT!
Mommy nursed Madelyn once more and she and William made an appearance during cocktail hour.
Once Mimi and Papa took William and Madelyn home Mommy and Daddy let loose! Mommy was happy with her speech and the wedding party dance routine was a hit. The night couldn't have been better!
Everyone was tired today due to the late night wedding favor construction, but excited to get the festivities started. Daddy took the day off from work and hung out with William and Madelyn while Mommy, Laura and Jamie got their nails did. They didn't see Laura again until a little bit before the rehearsal when everyone was running wild trying to get organized and be on time.
Mommy headed out while William and Madelyn were still napping. The rehearsal went well. It was hot outside - everyone was hoping that it will be a little cooler tomorrow.
Since there was over an hour before dinner, Mommy went home to nurse Madelyn and pick up Daddy. After a nice dinner at Ilio DiPolo's Mommy and Daddy headed downtown to Avant to check out the hotel and have a drink with the bridal party. During this time Jamie filled us in on a Peter Griffin (from Family Guy) dance that HAD to be learned for the bridal party dance tomorrow. Mommy and Daddy rushed home and stayed up until they had it down!
Laura and Pete visited with William and Madelyn a bit before they were out running all over WNY.
Mimi came over after school so Mommy and Laura could get their toes done. It was pretty quick and William and Madelyn enjoyed Mimi's company. Later, it was time to assemble the sweat shop! Laura, Pete, Jamie, Nana, and Mommy started. Daddy was in charge of food, drinks and logistics. The operation was soon moved indoors due to some determined mosquitoes. George and Mimi were recruited for additional support. George came packing with the Toby steamer and Mimi with hot glue guns. The house was finally in bed at 1 AM!
Mommy, William, Madelyn and Jenny went to the mall today to find Mommy a dress for the rehearsal. Mommy decided that she will go shopping by herself for now on. It was stressful, even with Jenny there.
Laura and Pete got in earlier than planned tonight. Let the celebrating begin!
After Madelyn's morning nap Madelyn, William and Mommy got in the van and headed to the library. They only returned the letter F books. They didn't have time last week to get letter G books, so Mommy decided to scratch them since tomorrow William will be moving on to letter H. Then they went to the Harlem Road playground to meet some friends from the Buffalo Mother's Group. It was hot!!! William had a great time playing and visiting with friends. He was also very helpful to a little boy who fell over in the toy police car he was playing in. William saw it and Mommy suggested he go help. He went over and picked up the police car for him. The boys mom was so grateful and said how nice it was of William to help out!
William napped for over 3 hours! Mommy was planning on going to the grocery store after naps, but had to change plans since William didn't wake up until 4:20! Mommy improvised a bit for dinner. While William and Mommy started making salads Madelyn was enjoying her jumperoo!
While Mommy was putting Madelyn to bed Daddy and William pulled out William's summer toys from storage. He got a good water table play session in before bed!
The day started out a little dreary, but turned out to be gorgeous! After Madelyn's morning nap the family took a trip to Adam's nursery. The van was loaded with yummy vegetable plants - tomatoes, broccoli, zucchini, cucumber and peppers - and Marigold's to keep away pesky garden pests. Mommy also picked out pretty New Guinea Impatients to plant between the Hostas (which, by the way, William calls "pastas
It was a long trip so lunch and naps were overdue. Once William and Madelyn were asleep Mommy and Daddy headed straight to work. All the vegetables, plants and seeds, the Marigolds and Impatients were planted!
A trip to Home Depot for more flowers when Madelyn and William woke up. In the cart: Zinnias and Pansies. They stopped for dinner on the way home so there'd be enough time to plant the flowers. The yard is just about done. Just waiting for the grass seed to grow and hopefully the newly plants to full out. The yard looks amazing!
This morning Daddy brought his car into the shop for an estimate. Oh, boy! More than he wants to pay, so he and Mommy are considering their options. It may be time for Daddy to get a truck.
Mommy went to Genevieve's baby shower at Fox Valley Country Club. Daddy stayed home with Madelyn and William.
After Madelyn and William woke from their naps everyone hopped in the van and headed out to Lockport for Dave and Amanda's house warming where they also happened to announce their engagement! William had a great time playing with Tucker. They played bean bag toss, baseball and catch. There were a couple other kids there that he kind of played with. William brought his lawn mower and shared very nicely with a little boy who loved it. Madelyn hung with Mommy most of the time. She ventured to Dave's mom's arms for only a few minutes before she was handed back to Mommy.
After Madelyn woke from her morning nap Mommy and Daddy gradually started packing to go home. The plan was to have Madelyn take her afternoon nap on the way home and with any luck 
William would fall asleep too. The plan worked. Both Madelyn and William napped on the way home and continued to nap in the running, air conditioned van sitting in the driveway. The dose of Benadryl worked for Duke too!
Later in the afternoon the fam went to Target and picked up a pool for William. Daddy was able to put all his hot air to use by blowing it up. After all that, it turns out it is going to be returned. Mommy and Daddy don't feel its safe.
William and Madelyn took a bath together for the first time! They both had fun. William enjoyed entertaining (as usual)!
