Finally Smiling!

I usually try to take a few pictures of Madison on our way out the door to church.

I especially wanted to take some this morning because I just love her dress.

There's just something about polka-dots on a curly blond headed little girl!

So, I usually just snap away (I haven't quite mastered/learned my camera yet!).
I was SHOCKED to see that she actually smiled and looked in the direction of the camera for most of the pictures.

So, this is HUGE for us. I usually have to beg her to smile and look at me. And even then I usually get a squinted eye and smirk picture at best.

So although these aren't the best pictures I was pleasantly surprised at how sweet she was.

Poker Chips???? Really???

The other day Matt was playing with Madi while I was doing some work.

When I went out to the living room to see what they had been up to I saw this . . .

Writing letters is a great thing to play but with POKER CHIPS? Really? He couldn't find anything else? Ha!
But Madi doesn't seem to mind.

Each morning she goes and gets the chips out to play just like it's normal.

Guess at this rate she'll be ready to hit Vegas next year!

I knew it would happen sooner or later . . .

Poor Noodle!

Madi has started carrying her around EVERYWHERE!

Why Noodle and not the others? Because she's the only one Madi can catch!
She takes her to her food and water dish and tells her to eat and drink. She puts her up on our bed then down again. And up and down off the couch. She's the perfect size for her to carry so I don't see this ending anytime soon.

I know Noodle's thinking "Why me?"

Madi took the above picture of Noodle. She loves to take pictures and is getting better about actually getting the subject in the picture! I better learn more about my camera or she's going to start taking better pictures than I do!

Chutes & Ladders

Chutes & Ladders was one of my favorite games as a kid. Along with Life, Scattegories and Uno. So, I'm very happy that Madi's old enough (kind of) to play board games. She LOVES to count so it's really a perfect game for her.

Plus she loves to flick the spinner.

I see many more "Game Nights" in our future!

Christmas Candy

Matt's parents have a wonderful tradition of making Christmas candy every year.

Well since my parents were in town for The Polar Express this weekend we decided to make Christmas candy too. You can never have too much candy!

Madi couldn't wait for everyone to get there so she could start making candy.

Morgan's Ipad kept those non-candy makers entertained too.

I was surprised that Madi stayed the whole time (a couple of hours) making the candy. She loved "helping" Grandma make candy and a MESS!

Shelle & Morgan

I think Morgan ate more than she made!

Tripp & Grandpa

Sisters

After the party we had to work off all that sugar somehow so Daddy gave Madi piggy back rides all over the house. I think he was more tired than she was afterwards.

Merry Christmas!

All Aboard . . .

The Polar Express!

Last night, we went on The Polar Express.

Here are the kids all ready to go in their Christmas pajamas.

My parents have started the tradition of taking the grandkids on the Polar Express each year. But since this was Madi's first year Matt and I wanted to go along too. But next year it'll just be Grandma and Grandpa plus the kiddos.
Waiting in line about to board the train.

I think it's safe to say that Madi was REALLY excited!

Tuck and Morgan

They sang, danced and read the story aloud as we traveled to the North Pole. Plus we were served hot chocolate and cookies.

I just had to put this picture in here. Santa snuck up on Tucker and he clawed his way to Grandma's lap. It was too funny!

Here's Santa handing Madi her bell.

I think if it rings then it means you believe!

This is the best picture I could get of everyone on the train.

It was definitely a fun experience and one I'm sure Madi will be talking about for a long time.

Madi missed the point . . .

of the countdown to Christmas calendar!

We talked about counting down the days until we celebrate the birth of Christ.
We showed her the calendar with all the days marked and a candy cane in each pocket (one for Tucker too on the days he's with us).

We talked about how each morning she could pull out the candy cane(s) for that day.

But it's only December 1st and she's already had 5 candy canes.

I guess we'll try again next year!