Christmas with the Gieses

We celebrated with my side of the family on Wednesday, December 28th. It was so fun to see how excited Juliana and Connor were to open gifts. Juliana would help open our gifts and say, "You got a box!" with such enthusiasm that Brian and I are thinking of just getting her a box next year!  Connor wasn't a big fan of sitting for the photos of the three of them. He is a man on the move now!

Connor says "Give me a hug, Madelyn!"

 

Cousins: Juliana and Madelyn

Look I am standing at the table with Connor!

Trying to take a photo before Connor moves!

Juliana practicing her Vanna White

 

Madelyn loves her wave drum.

Grandma and Grandpa Giese with Madelyn

This bow was a big hit!

Breaking in Grandma Giese's new soap dispenser

Juliana's big gift! It's like an ipad but for kids

Connor likes to bang his puzzle pieces.

Reading with Grandma Giese

OH yes! I ball popper! So fun!

Connor loves his corn popper ride on toy

Madelyn was smiley with Grandma Giese!

Grandma and Grandpa Giese

Connor, Beth and Madelyn

Juliana (4 yr), Madelyn (5 mo) and Connor (12 mo)

Breakfast with Good Friends

I got together with two friends  who I've known since Jr. High.  One lives in California and the other in Ohio. It was so good to catch up.

Mom, Delaney's going to eat me!

Madelyn, Becca and Delaney

Madelyn and Jill

Katie, Madelyn, Jill, Becca and Delaney

Chrstimas with the Hartsells

We went to Omaha December 23-26th to celebrate Christmas. Madelyn loved spending time with her aunt, grandparents and great-grandparents.  She also got to meet her great aunts and great uncles.

The festivities started with the annual Guns Unlimited Christmas Party on Christmas Eve Day.  Then Christmas Eve was spent at Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma's house where Madelyn stayed up way too late.  She was so overtired when we got her to bed around 8:30 pm that she woke up a couple times that night something she rarely does. Poor thing. On Christmas morning we opened up gifts in our PJs.  Madelyn enjoyed the gift opening and her new toys. Then in the afternoon, we went out to the cabin and the boys went shooting. It was so nice out! It didn't feel like December.  That evening her great-grandparents came over for another dinner. It was a great trip and Madelyn did okay in the car to and from.  We stopped in Iowa City both ways to break up the drive and to eat some good grub. Oh and check out where Madelyn slept the whole time :)

With Great-Aunt Amy at the GU Christmas Party

Madelyn loved her laugh and learn train

Madelyn meets Charlie

Madelyn in her new chair with her name on it

Great-Grandpa Hartsell made Madelyn her own chair

Chairs for the three great-grandkids born in 2011

Madelyn with Great-Aunt Lois

Madelyn with Great-Grandma Hartsell

Madelyn with Great-Grandma Hartsell

Look at me sitting! :) I am getting stronger

So many presents!

Madelyn tried to help

This bag is bigger than her!

 

Tickle-Monster!

What's this?

Sucking her thumb holding the paper.

Paper is SO good!

She lasted for opening her presents and then it was time for a nap!

Cuddling with Aunt Laura

It was a beautiful warm day.

Look a likes (Andrew & Brian)

Madelyn in her pink bunny suit! 

I want this!

Smiling with Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma

Shiny watch

Great-Grandpa was nice enough to give it to me.

All the Hartsells

Brian, Katie, Madelyn, Laura, Andrew and Charlie (the dog)

Grandpa, Madelyn and Grandma

Madelyn slept in the closet--It was close to us, but we could shut the door so her music didn't drive us crazy!

On a break at a rest stop, Madelyn let us know she was sick of her carseat!

Video Time

I still have to post a bunch of Christmas photos but here are two cute videos of Madelyn. The first one is her playing this her favorite toy from Grandma and Grandpa Hartsell (thank you!). The second one is her "walking." She just started to walk when we hold her hands. It's so cute.

Christmas with the Cousins

We got together with my cousins on the Saturday before Christmas. I always look forward to seeing my cousins who live so close but who we don't see often enough.  It was even more fun this year as there were so many little ones!  Juliana (4), Josiah (3), Toni (20 months), Connor (11 months), Caroline (5 months) and Madelyn (5 months).

Madelyn and Daddy before the festivities

Juliana helped Madelyn open her present

Madelyn loves her doll but the laugh is kind of creepy!  Makes us laugh every time we hear it.

Caroline (5 months), Toni (20 months), Connor (11 months), Juliana (4 yrs), Madelyn (5 months) & Josiah (3 yrs)