Family Fun

Some random family photos

I have to document this because we probably took 10 photos of this and my eyes were always closed!  (Madelyn saying "cheese")

Finally one with  my eyes open--too bad Madelyn's are now closed!

Two fishies!

Making her hand print for 2012

Instead of coloring the paper she enjoyed coloring her hand!

Snuggling up reading--A favorite past time

At the end of this book, it says to give a big hug NOW so I am hugging Madelyn who is giggling.

So helpful!

Madelyn helping us out!

Attempting to dry off Leia after she came in side!

Locking Leia in her crate before going to school!

Helping Mommy put clothes in the washing machine--teaching her young!

Really getting it all in there!

Sweeping up her mess of crumbs

Helping roll out the pizza crust

Really determined here!

Play Day with Connor

Connor came over to play while Juliana and Beth went to a show.  It was so much fun seeing them interact.  They both wanted to go outside so I braved the cold and took them out.  Too bad, they didn't want to go back in!  But we had fun.

Cooking up a storm

SNOW!

Connor Driving

Staying warm

Madelyn down the slide

Connor down the slide

Connor wanted to swing!

Madelyn loving her snow boots. She wears them inside but this is the first time outside

Mommy and Madelyn swinging

She wanted to pick up poop--even in the snow!

Connor going under the "tunnel"

Connor went under while Madelyn went down the slide

Delaney Visits :)

Becca, Geoff and Delaney and Jill and Nick came over for breakfast between Christmas and New Years. It was so good to see them and catch up and so much fun to watch the girls interact. It's crazy to think they may be in the same grade since Delaney is so much older (10 months)! 

Delaney and Madelyn

Jumping in the crib together

All smiles for silly Nick

Jill's got her hands full with Madelyn and Delaney

Girl photo (we tried!)

Katie, Jill and Becca

New Fashion

Check out some fashion statements Madelyn's been making.

Daddy's sandals and her winter hat

No clothes on but hat and shoes! --She INSISTED

Mommy's slipper socks and crocks

Dressed to impress with her necklaces and mommy's slipper socks

What a goof!

Science & Industry Museum

Madelyn and I went to the Science and Industry Museum with Aunt Beth, Juliana, Connor and Grandpa Giese.  There was a Charlie Brown exhibit which the kids enjoyed.  My favorite part was seeing all the Christmas trees from around the world. My least favorite part was "losing" Madelyn for a minute.  I was reading a sign and then looked down and she was gone. No where in site.  My heart stopped but I found her around the corner looking at the circus. She wasn't the least bit bothered.  Why does my daughter have to be so much like me...wandering away at young ages??  I guess it's my payback for all the times I did that to my parents.

Aunt Beth and Connor

Madelyn sporting a hat

More hats!

Little dogs: Madelyn and Juliana

The large piano was a favorite!

Too cute: Connor and Madelyn

Being SILLY on the piano

3 kids in a JOHN DEERE tractor

The circus area

Madelyn insisted on pulling this crank by herself to make the balls move.

Christmas DAY!

We celebrated Christmas all day since Madelyn wanted to play with all her toys instead of opening presents.  Her favorite gift was from Santa. It was a table just her size. She loved it, and we enjoyed Christmas breakfast at it with her.  Her next favorite gift was a broom and dustpan.  She loves the table and always wants us to come sit with her at it.   We had a random day of playing with her toys and going outside because she insisted on it to pick up dog poop but it was fun to not have any plans and stay home and play together. Here are some pictures from our day.

Santa's big gift: A table and chairs for Madelyn

Deep in Thought.

Bad thing about the table is Leia can reach it and the food on it!

Merry Christmas from Preta (he enjoyed the view from up high)

Very happy with her table.

Admiring her broom.

Time to sweep

After opening the broom, she ran to the other room and sat down at her tree.

Breakfast at the table :)

Madelyn was our bow collector

Convincing her to open more gifts between watching out the window and reading books

I love when they are looking out the window together!

Preta hiding under the Christmas tree

She'd rather read her books than open more presents

Teaching Madelyn to bowl

Bowling consisted of her touching the pins with the ball to knock them down--it was very cute.

Helping add garlic to the beef roast

Loving her guacamole while showing off her leggings (aka mommy's socks)

She decided by herself that she wanted to go rake

Our first fire

Picking up poop on Christmas--this is what she wanted to do!

She got some!

Enjoying tea with Daddy!