Minute-to-Win-it!

 Day 23:  Fred was hiding in our Christmas Tree!

 Grandma and Grandpa Mayberry came up Monday afternoon to kick off our Christmas festivities!

We started with a mean game of Phase 10.

 We went to our new Costco that morning and Madi saw this dessert with her name on it!

 Monday evening my parents, Shelle's family, and Rod joined us for Matt's prime rib dinner that he smoked all afternoon.

 Shelle and I decided a few months back to do a Minute-to-Win-it! competition over Christmas. 

We started Monday night since we had many games to get in.

Our first game was "Pin the nose on Rudolph!"

 Everyone had one chance to put a sticker with their name on it as close to Rudolph's nose as possible.

 And drumroll . . . . Maci won!  We all said it's because the nose was eye level for her! :)

Our next game was stacking cups.

 We timed everyone to see how long it took them to stack the 15 cups and put them back into the original stack.

First place was Morgan, I was second place and Cody was third! 

We saved the rest of the games for tomorrow, Christmas Eve.

All Aboard . . .

 The Polar Express!

 Grandma Mayberry really wanted to take all the grandkids on the Polar Express this year.

  All have been except Miss Maci so this was a good year for everyone to go again.

  Grandma got first class tickets so they could all sit at a table together as they rode the train. 

Here they are all lined up and reading to board.

 Grandma sent this picture of all the kiddos ready to go.

 Santa passing out the bells . . .

 Grandma said Madi actually talked to Santa . . .

 and told him she wanted an American Girl doll for Christmas.

 We were back early to see the train return.  They're in the last window on the left at the bottom of the train.

 Here's a close up where you can see Grandma's hand waving.

 Madi exiting the train . . .

 She ran right to us with a big smile on her face saying she wants to go again!

  By the look of these smiles I would say everyone had a great time!

 Now the countdown begins . . .

Christmas Dance Recital

 The Dance Gallery puts on a Christmas Recital for Kindergarten through 5th grade so this was the first year Madi could participate.

 It's a very low-key production, thank goodness!  We were given these argyle socks and told to wear Christmas-y dance wear.

 They held stockings as they sang and danced to "Santa's Bag of Toys."

 Madi wanted her picture taken with each decoration in the Civic Center. 

 It was a great performance by our very own ballerina! 

Day 21:  Fred left a small gift box filled with quarters and a picture of gifts for Madi to color.

 Day 22:  Fred was on top of the china cabinet with a sign hanging down.

 It said "3 Days until Christmas!"

 I found Sue laying with Madi and had to send this picture to Matt since he was at the store.  Sue isn't known as the friendliest dog so we were surprised to see her cuddled up with Madi. 

 Matt has spent all Sunday afternoon making Monster cookies, his Grandmother's fudge recipe and trying out a friend's toffee recipe. 

 

 His second batch of fudge was PERFECT!

 We sent this picture to Matt's mom as proof!

  We laughed as Madi was telling Chicke where to go and Chicke was actually listening and following along. 

 It was a nice lazy day before all the Christmas-time fun!

Christmas Party

 Ready for the last Monday morning of school before Christmas!

 Day 16:  Fred left a wreath craft for Madi.

 Tuesday morning, Madi wore the "Mommy's Lil Present" shirt for the 3rd year I think.  Yay for no big growth spurts!

 Day 17: Fred wanted to do a little fishing.

 Wednesday

 Day 18: We found Fred in the sleigh next to Santa.  I think he's getting excited!

 Thursday morning was Madi's class Christmas party at school.

 Day 19:  Fred was nice and warm in Madi's stocking.

 I signed up to help with Madi's Christmas party so while I was manning my station Madi was decorating a Christmas tree with green icing and m&ms.

 After playing Christmas Bingo, Madison came to my station to make a reindeer headband. 

 Hands down the cutest reindeer I know!

  Then she went to the reindeer food station.  We have a bag ready to sprinkle on the yard Christmas Eve night.

 Then all the kids opened up their books from the book exchange.

 I like how the Kindergarten team did the book exchange this year.  We all sent the money and they bought the books.  That way they all got a "Good" book and the girls game the same book and so did the boys.

 Time to eat!

 If that wasn't enough of a party, Mrs. Olivarez called up each student and gave them another gift.

 Each student received a personalized white board to practice writing and reading!

 Thursday was a half day so we left at the party and took all the gifts and goodies home. 

Madi needed to burn off some energy so an afternoon bike ride was in order.

 We then met Stephanie, Margaret, and Dr. Button at Chickfila for lunch and a gift exchange. 

Dr. B gives the best gifts and this Fancy Nancy book did not disappoint!

 She met the illustrator at a conference two weeks ago and had it signed "for Madison Heider" by the illustrator Robin Glasser. 

 Stephanie and I got a gift certificate for a spritzer manicure at her favorite spa.  Can't wait to use it!

Madison and Margaret loved coming up to Tech while we finished up a few things before the break. 

They took over Terri's office and had a blast!

 Day 20:  Fred was hanging on Santa's arm and left Madi a cute candy cane pen.  I think he's ready for Santa to come already!  I know Matt and I are too!

 Friday is another half day! 

 I saw this on Facebook and had to laugh.

If I could find a costume close to this that would fit Matt I would TOTALLY buy it and do this!