Madi, Madi, Madi

Madison chose TGI Fridays for her birthday dinner with the family. I was surprised to see her actually get embarrassed when they asked her to stand on her chair while they sang "Happy Birthday" to her.
Mom and Dad bought her tickets to see "Annie" in Chicago next weekend. (I get to come too...yay) It was hard for me to keep this secret for so long, because every time she sees the commercial for "Annie" she would BEG me to get her tickets!

Madison used a gift card from one grandma, and some Christmas money from another grandma and grandpa to buy herself this new bike. I was so proud of her for being responsible with her money. Now if Spring would just come soon so she could actually try it out!!!

I bought Madison some 2 pound weights so she could workout with me. She was so excited!!!

Talking to Aunt Sheila on her birthday via skype!

She requested cinnamon rolls for her birthday breakfast. Quick and easy was good since Austin had an early b-ball game today. (We made her hat the night before with a friend that slept over)

WEBKINZ!

Carolyn, this picture is for you! The outfit you got her for Christmas is so cute on her!

Christmas 09

Christmas was extra special this year for a couple reasons. First, I got to host Christmas dinner at our house for the first time ever. I wouldn't have survived it without the help of my mom and sister...thanks Mom and Sheila! There was so much food here that we had to put a lot of it on the back porch to keep cool through out the day since the refrigerator was jam packed. It was also great to have my sister and her family in town for this Christmas. They are moving from Ohio (2ish hours away) to Tennessee (8ish hours away) We know we won't be able to see them as often, so it was nice to have this Christmas together.




Mom and Dad with all their grandkids.



This will be the last letter my kids leave for Santa Clause. Austin has known since last year about Santa. Madison was starting to question it over the past couple months, but still really believed and was excited about Santa. Long story short...while I was in the kitchen getting things ready for Christmas dinner, Madison was snooping in our storage closet. She came across the same wrapping paper that Santa happened to wrap her presents with this year. She asked me about it and I told her the truth. She was a bit sad, and had MANY questions the following days. I asked both of my kids afterwards if they were mad we taught them the story of Santa Clause, and they both replied "No". In fact, Madison said she can't wait to be a mommy someday to tell her kids about it. I'm sure I'll be sad next year when my kids seem so grown up that they aren't talking about going to sleep early so Santa will come. Or leaving reindeer food on the back porch for Rudolph and the gang. Mostly, I'll miss using the "Naughty List" threat during the entire month of December. My kids are always so well behaved during that month. Haha

Good news...there are 351 more days of shopping until Christmas this year!