Misc Christmas!

Since there were so many misc. events and travels...I thought 'd just share photos with captions. Next year, simplifying! Oh, and they're all out of order but I'm too beat to fix it! :)

The perfect ending to Christmas Day....a book and The Grinch!

Another of her dress up outfits...Snow White is her favorite Princess!

Christmas Day evening at Mo and Mom's

We saw Santa Christmas Eve at Garret's uncle Greg's! Apparently a neighborhood firetruck brings him around. Maddie was pretty excited....

Opening our ONE gift with Oma Christmas Eve night (tradition in our family)

Very seriously composing her letter for Santa....

Hoping you get everything your heart desires baby girl...

Happy Christgiving!

This year, we invented a new holiday. Since the holiday season isn't nearly hectic enough (sarcasm, if you didn't catch it :), we celebrated Thanksgiving late and Christmas early for Tamra since she wasn't able to be home for either...Christgiving. I was happy to host and make the traditional feast (with a little help from the Copeland's who each brought a dish). It was yummy. Tamra was shocked at how big Maddie has gotten in 9 months since she's seen her. They were buds...Maddie took full advantage of a new person so interested in her with piggyback rides and various other demands. Tamra was a good sport. Miss her....

I made my only second turkey...it was pretty darn good, if I say so myself!

Maddie opened her presents from "Aunt T"...sunglasses, shoes and jewelry. A glimpse into the future....






And a fun family night wouldn't be complete without a little silliness....





New curtains, new fun!

Flirting with Santa...take 2.

For a child that was terrified of Santa merely a year ago, Maddie has certainly, um, warmed up to the jolly old fella! I dare say, she has become flirtatious! She sneaks glances out of the corner of her eye (which I initially assumed was "scoping" him out), lowers her gaze, smiles sweetly...even leans in for hugs and willingly gives kisses. It's actually quite brilliant. How is Santa going to say no to anything she asks for after those theatrics?!

We decided to go to Bass Pro Shops...they have a great children's area, complete with "snow". Our friends Kyle, Georgia and their sweet baby Piper joined us! It was a great time...Maddie could hardly handle the "snow" area, she was beyond excited.

"snow"angels...

Caleb's Crusade Bowl-A-Thon

My relay partner Gwen put on a great fundraiser at our local bowling alley benefiting Caleb's Crusade. It was Maddie's first time bowling and she loved it....I mean, free reign, throwing a ball...how could that go wrong?

Gwen and Tim's kids, Taden and Aliza...such cuties!

The event coordinator and my relay partner, Gwen with Garret, Mom and I...

As always, Bella was "little mommy" to Maddie, who was bowling for the first time!

Sometimes I think these two look like they could be sisters....
And what would a night at the bowling alley be without a little air hockey??

Hair today...gone tomorrow??

I feel horrible for saying this...I wanna cut the mullet OFF. I mean, I wanted this beautiful girl to get hair so badly as she was bald until about 12 to 15 months but now, ugh, it is growing in strange spurts with more in some places than others. It's so baby fine, it never just...lays there. It's shorter up front, longer in back. A true rad mullet. I know this somehow stems from my own detest of my own mane but I hoped (even prayed) Maddie would get, oh, I dunno, Aunt Tamra's beautiful curly locks! It was just not to be. She takes after Mommy here (sorry baby). So....do I trim it, give it some life? Let it go and be patient? I have no idea. I just hate that it looks so messy all the time. Again, my issue. Lord knows, she couldn't care less! If we decide to do it, Garret is off from basketball practice early, so tomorrow would be the day. I'll keep you posted :)

Breaking bread, and bad blood with Santa

This morning Caleb's Crusade had a Breakfast with Santa. I was totally looking forward to the breakfast part. Maddie meeting Santa, not so much. Last year's meeting went a little like this:

To our pleasant surprise, she sat on his lap, told him her wish list (a bike AND a scooter) and even hugged and kissed him! Mind you, it took about an hour of pep talks, observing the other kids and well, blackmail but it happened! It was the perfect small, intimate setting! Next week, Bass Pro Shops. Let's see if that's goes as well....

(Oh and my stupid camera was being funky again so thanks to Monique for saving the day with a few photos!)

Oh, and Bella...posed in front of the tree. Santa was not winning her over quite as easily.

After we got home, Maddie wanted to paint. Why not?

It seems to get onto her more than the paper...

Fun day for my girl. She's a lucky kid.