Madalyn Meets Santa

Thanksgiving when we went to Greer, Madalyn got to meet Santa for the first time. He is a patient of the doctor that my mom works for. His job is to 'be' Santa. He volunteered his time and came to the doctor's house for kids in her neighborhood and kids at my mom's work to come and get their picture made with Santa. Madalyn did very well, she didn't cry and went right to him. There was once during the middle of her photo session that her face got crinkly but she didn't shed a tear. I was very proud of her. And I personally think we got some great pictures. Here are a few from our day with Jolly Ole' Saint Nick.

Madalyn meets Santa for the first time....

Madalyn and her first picture with Santa.

Now we are getting some smiles!

In such awe of this large man in a red suit with a white beard.

Santa and Madalyn are having a very in depth conversation about patty-cake.

Tadaaa....Here I am in all my cuteness....Gotta love me!

I had to post this picture. (Madalyn kept turning around and touching the flowers. I believe her face is saying "I'm not touching it...")

New Party Ideas

I googled "hot chocolate cupcakes' -next week in school we are having a "Polar Express Party". We are studying the book and on Thursday we will wear our PJ's, watch the movie, and drink hot chocolate. I was just curious to see what kind of goodies I could find to go along with our hot chocolate and I found these cupcakes. Then I clicked on the website where they were from and "WOW!" What a great website with lots of party ideas, food ideas, party decorations, party favors, etc. If you love creating things you gotta check this website out. Catch My Party. The other great thing is that it tells you step by step how to create each item you find.

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes-Aren't they cute? Below is the link for the directions on how to make these.

http://blog.catchmyparty.com/2010/12/08/tips-from-a-catch-my-party-member-peppermint-hot-chocolate-cupcakes/

World's Smallest Christmas Carolers

My niece Lily Kate was chosen as one of the "World's Smallest Christmas Carolers" for the radio station 88.3 WAFJ. Click on this website, find her name, and click on her picture to hear her sing 'Deck the Halls". http://www.wafj.com/headline/worlds-smallest-christmas-carolers

These Days

These days my baby is changing so fast and every day and week she is doing something new. She is getting in so many teeth. Right now she has 4 top teeth and 2 bottom teeth and another bottom tooth is on the way. She is pulling up and letting go and she can walk along the couch holding on. She is a pretty fast crawler now and it keeping up with her cousin Hunter. Where ever he goes she is close at his heels. We have started her on meats now, and she doesn't like chicken. It's actually pretty funny to watch her face when you fed it to her. I have to mix it with a fruit or a vegetable to get her to eat it. She is talking more; saying "dadadada"," hey"," yea", and last week when I was home for Thanksgiving, no lie, she looked at me and said "I love you". It wasn't as plain as you and I would say, but I have two witnesses her Nana and Grand Dad and they would tell you that she did say that. Which is the most precious thing to my ears to hear my baby girl tell me that; it warms your heart. She is clapping now like all the time; she holds her right hand still and just moves her left hand. She is blowing bubbles and like spitting. When she gets excited about something she moves her arms, legs, and hands really fast, and says "ooooooo". She loves animals, stuffed or real. She really liked my cat Evie at my parent's house and whenever you give her a stuffed animal she just laughs and smiles. She is also ticklish under her arms and will just laugh and laugh. I love to hear her laugh. She is a very happy and content baby. She wakes up happy and unless she gets sleepy or hungry, you don't hear much from her in the way of crying. I am trying to make sure to enjoy every minute of her being little because she is growing too fast and already wants to be on the move.

She is very excited about driving her car. She is saying "ooooo!"

.

1st Horse Ride

When Madalyn and I got home today, we looked out the window and saw Pop, Aunt Katelyn, Hunter, and Uncle Ryan riding horses. So, Aunt Katelyn took Madalyn on her first horse ride just a little bit around the back yard. She didn't know what to think about being on the horse.

Happy Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving as we normally have been able to do: in Greenville at my aunt Ann's house. Madalyn and I came up yesterday morning and Kevin came up yesterday evening. We are so blessed to have such a happy and healthy baby girl. I am so thankful to have her in my life. Kevin and I are also blessed by our families and friends. We hope you all have a blessed day!

Our little turkey

Grand Dad, Madalyn, and Nana

Grand Dad, Nana, Madalyn, Me, and Kevin

Our family

Cousin: Brooke, Madalyn, Emily, and Casey

This Thanksgiving card was started when I was born. Each year a new member of the family comes to Thanksgiving dinner at Ann and Bob's house, they sign the card.

So, continuing with tradition, Madalyn had her name added to the card. If you look closely you will see my name is the first one on the card because I was the first grand baby.

Madalyn 8 Months Old

I can't believe that my baby girl will be 8 months old tomorrow! It has been a fast 8 months. She has filled our lives with such joy and love we couldn't have begun to imagine having. We are loving every moment we get to spend together. I'm so glad to be feeling better because that was the hardest thing about being sick, staying away from her to try to keep her well.

I kept on taking the hay away, and she kept on putting it in her mouth.

Our little country girl!