The Newest Family Member!

Just like everything else in life, things happen when you least expect it and people/animals come into your life when you're not looking.

If only I hadn't been planning on an art project for Madison, she and Jeff would not have walked over to the adoption corner at PetSmart.  We've done this many other Saturdays before, but I do believe that Madison's "blink, blink, blink" really got to Jeff today ;-)

This afternoon, we welcomed a three month old Australian cattle dog, beagle, Jack Russel mix into our family!!!

Lucy

Madison couldn't wait to get home to run around in the yard with Lucy.

They played and played and played. Then, it was bathtime.  

Time to put the pound puppy smell behind her!!! 

Fresh from the bathtub

 I don't know which one of us is going to sleep the best tonight.
We've all had a very exciting day and we'll all sleep very sound..fingers crossed!!! 

 

Early Santa Visit

One of the local upscale shopping centers brings Santa in early for their Christmas Open House.  He is an AWESOME Santa and just the fact that we can get a FREE picture with Santa each year makes is PRICELESS!!!

Madison, Santa, and Allison

They go all out...hot chocolate, cider, and cookies for treats.  Sleding, train rides, and caroling throughout.  Last nights weather was PERFECT; however, the five year old storm that was brewing last night didn't give us the opportunity to enjoy the evening to its fullest.  :-(  There's always next year! 

Welcome to the official start of the HOLIDAY SEASON!  Is everyone ready?
We're as ready as we'll ever be!!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

It's that time of year again...

...Where you spend ALL WEEKEND just TRYING to keep the leaves to a minimum on the lawn!!!

And it's a never ending process for about a good two weeks or more.  

Jeff had some time to kill on Saturday so thought he would give his new backpack blower it's first real workout.  He did such a great job making TWO HUGE piles for Madison to play in!

You can tell just how deep the leaves are when there is a 6'3" tall man standing in there!

It was more like a "pool" of leaves.

Now the fun is over, the real fun begins...carrying the leaves to the bottom of the hill.

Sssshhh...don't tell Jeff that this load was a little heavier due to someone catching a ride!!!

Where's Madison?

Boosterthon 2013

As many of you know, Madison's fund raiser at school was Thursday.  The Boosterthon was to raise money for the school to purchase iPads and Whiteboards. Thank you to all of those who contributed to the fund raiser!  I volunteered for the day helping with the Field Games.  Took a break from all the other children to be able to watch Madison run her race.

Waiting for the race to start...look at the anticipation!

And they're off!!!

The first or second lap

Gotta take a break during the race to say "hi" to the cow!!!

What a great job Madison!!! You're goal was 20 and you did 35 laps!!!  That's awesome!!!!

After the race, it was time for the field games.  First was the hay bale hurdles...

Tug-of-War...

then the Pumpkin Roll...

And last but not least was the sac races!

The kids has such a great time and everyone was exhausted after all the activities!!! Can't wait to do it again next year!!!