Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we went to my parents house for a nice dinner of soup and crackers. (A tradition) Then we all went to the Christmas Ever service at my parents' church. I got to see my High School Music teacher which was a nice surprise. Madeline was not at all in a good mood and Steve had to come in and out of the service. Luckily we were in the back and the service was only about 40 minutes long. The whole fam.

My dad holding Madeline in beautiful Christmas dress #2. No, my dad isn't a Priest. I'm not entirely sure what he's wearing. O well!

Let the fun begin!

Our Christmas fun Started on Friday when we went out with our friends Tony and Cindy for Tony's birthday. We left little Madeline with my parents for that one though. :) Tony loved his gun cleaning kit (yum) and his Sigmund Freud action figure!
After we had dinner, Steve surprised me by taking me over to the new theater at the mall to see "Atonement." He had worked it out with my mom for Madeline to stay late. We hadn't been to a movie in ages! And even though it cost more than a small car, it was LOTS of fun! We felt like we were on a date!

Saturday - Steve's sister and her family came over for "Christmas." Their son is 2 months younger than Madeline so they had lots of fun destroying the house together. Aunt Beth, Uncle Doug, and Cameron

OOOOH! Look at that Tree! It's shiney - it's full of joy and joyness!!

Madeline donning her new bike helmet. Perfect for her bike trailer on these country roads!

The cutest Christmas Outfit Ever #1.

More pics to come! (Daddy changed the setting on my camera to 230958230498 megapixels so it takes 3 hours for each picture to load. GRR!)

They grow up so fast!

We were all playing around in sunroom and then our little diva crawled up on this little bench and played with her phone. I wonder whom she was texting?

Fun in the Snow!

Steve, Madeline, and I had a great time in the snow this weekend! Gramma gave us this ol-timey sled that fit Madeline perfectly! Mom, it is beyond embarassing to have my picture taken with you in that hat!

Daddy is much cooler than mommy!

Adios mama!!

Day One Done

I was a little (okay a LOT) intimidated by speding a few days in a row alone with Madeline. YES my girlfriends do it all the time, but I haven't - so I am a big weenie. But - it's still scary the first time. I'm used to being able to count on Steve walking in the door at 5:45 and spending boku time with Madeline on the weekends. So, today went really well and she is successfully in bed with no major mishaps!!

Now to clean up all the messes I made!

First Snow Frolic

Do you see what I see?

Since Madeline and I were housebound for the THIRD day this week, Mommy was desperate! Madeline was very very unhappy this morning, even when I was holding her! I was supposed to spend the day shopping with my mom, but that plan got snowed out. :( Since Madeline doesn't have a "snow suit" I bundled her up in 4 layers of clothing!
Catching flakes on her tongue on the ride to the snow!

Ummmmmmmmmm I'm not sure if I like this or not

Good thing she left tracks or she'd never know which was she came from!

Hive five mom! I did it!

Holly Jolly Christmas Decorating!

After we got home from our early morning shopping spree (Which did pay off by way of a new flat screen, digital picture frame, and pillows) Steve and I decided to haul all the Christmas decorations down from the attic and get started on Christmastizing the house!! Sugar Baby takes her place by the fire.

Ready for candy!!

The finished product

This doesn't taste as good as one might think!

Maybe Austin would like to wear it instead.

I like this picture because she looks like she's going to cast out demons or something.

Madeline's first and only time touching the tree. I am SO proud of her! We only told her no-no 2 or 3 times and she's been very obedient!

PEEK a BOO!

Nothing better than a big box to play in!

Pilgrims and Indians

I guess it would be more aptly titled "Pilgrim and Indians" because it was all of Steve's family at our house. Thanksgiving Day started bright and early at our house because I hosted my very first Thanksgiving!! I had been working long and hard in the past weeks coming up with perfect recipes for home made pies and sides and of course - the Turkey!! Steve wanted to cook it upside down so I found a recipe that did it that way, and it was de LI cious!! My favourite dish was a Chocolate Chip Pecan pie that I found a recipe for on accident. We all agreed it was the BEST thing we've ever tasted! (With 2 sticks of butter how could it not be?) Steve was on Madeline duty all morning while I scurried around trying to get the cooking done. We got out the good china and ate in the dining room - and - if I say so myself - my first Thanksgiving was a real success! After dinner everyone pitched in and helped clean up. We then had dessert and played a round of Monopoly (which Steve won of course) and watched the Colts game and played the Wii in the basement. I tuckered out around 11:15 because Steve and I got up at 3:30 the next morning to go out to shop for deals.

We had so much to be thankful for this year. We couldn't be happier. The kitchen after the big meal!

Steve carves up the bird

Sorry Mr. Turkey

Our Yummy Dinner!!

Now slip slip slip and slide

Judging by the looks of it, Madda's very happy with her early Christmas Present! It will be her Thanksgiving present! Do I have to let go??

These stairs are harder to climb than the normal ones!

Can't I go up this way? It's much faster!

Mommy's thinking we need to have Beau over to show Madda how it's done. Beau would probably be hanging by the rafters after a minute!

Did the Monkey Mail Come?

Madeline has been extra Monkey-y latley. All she wants to do all day long is climb climb climb. People, dogs, couch, bed - doesn't matter. This girl is fearless! So Steve and I decided to give her one of her Christmas presents early - a climbing slide. We'll be picking it up today so daddy can have it while mommy's gone.

Meanwhile, trying to get pictures of her is even harder considering she doesn't ever want to sit still. BUT we wanted to show our Cardinal pride after the great game on Tuesday!

Mmmm Raw Meat!

I kid! Madeline has been gobbling up raspberries and blueberries for breakfast and today made a particularly large mess!

Roll Over Beethoven

I took this test here:
http://babble.com/ad/playskool/

and this is what it had to say:



You have a Bob Marley baby! Happy and relaxed, your baby is content in the stroller playing with his/her toes or in the playground surrounded by other kids. We bet they would be even happier in Jamaica… and so would you. Click here to listen to Bob Marley. (If he/she ever does start crying just sing… “No baby, no cry.”)

Uptown Girl

Madeline rockin' her new faux suede slouch tassle boots!

And her new leg warmers! (She's a maniac maaaaaniac!)

Could she be any more adorable and chic?

Catching Up

On Tuesday Gabby called Madeline and asked her if she wanted to hang out. Madeline was able to clear her schedule and they hung out at the library and the park! Hellooooooooo

Who is the silliest in this picture?

Silly Gabby and ever serious Madeline

No, Madeline you push HERE

Figure out how much my new shoes cost with this abacus

It's good to know I'm getting my daily need of niacin!

Behold the Duck

Trick or Treat!

Madeline has had a busy week this week. She's been to the park with a friend, carved a pumpkin (by carving I of course mean played with innerts) and went Trick or Treating at Daddy's office!! So this is where you come everyday? It doesn't look that fun to me!

Um, I can have two right? One for each hand?

Does this mean I "got in" to BSU?

This little bee needs some nectar!

Um, excuse me Mr. Pea? That costum was SO last year!

Madeline's back up costume (a banana?) and a RARE picture of Daddy BIG-smiling

The kids in the office!