Parade and Winterfest

Saturday was a VERY busy day for us.  The day started with decorating the house for Christmas and then it was down to Garner to watch the small town parade!  We had a really great time with our friends from down the street.  And the best part was watching the look on the children's faces when Santa finally came down the street.



With the parade behind us, it was time to head down to the city of Raleigh for the Winterfest activities.  Ice skating rink, ferris wheel, carousel, and food vendors all over the place! 

Our first stop was the ferris wheel.  This was Madison's first time... 

"It takes THIS many tickets for the two of us to ride this!"

 The anticipation continued to build (it took awhile since the line was so long).

And the moment finally arrives!!!

She looks like she is having fun on the first go around and then Jeff said she got bored rather quickly.  Guess there was not enough excitement on that ride for her.

The rest of the eventing was spent with friends and checking out the sites.  Another first for Madison that evening was watching a movie on a big screen outside.  She thought that was way too cool!

Happy December everyone!!!

Leaf Blowing

Got home safely on Saturday afternoon.  Sunday there was time for cleaning up the yard.  It appears that ALL (or at least we hope) the leaves fell off the trees while we were gone!  Madison was eager to help...

 

 

She was told if she wanted a pile to run through, she would have to help build the pile.
Oh how quickly she picked up the blower!!!

The pile was then quickly scattered throughout the yard.

 

She went on to help Jeff clean up the yard.
Needless to say, we had a very tired little girl on our hand this evening.
 Monday morning is not going to be very fun! 

Happy Thanksgiving 2012!

For Thanksgiving this year we made our way to Hendersonville, NC to visit with Madison's Uncle David and Carson.  Aunt Debbie and Uncle David, along with Michael and Billy, were also there.  Dinner was awesome!!! And even better that I didn't have to do much to prepare for it!!!  As you can tell, Madison thought the turkey legs were pretty darn good...

Dessert was pretty good too but it was more fun to play with the whipped cream.... 

 

and then have Billy lick it off your face!!!

 

Friday we had to work off dinner.  Went for a hike to find a letterbox in a trail close to David's house.  Carson was able to find it and then it was time to focus on hiking and having a really good time together.  

 

It's Hard to Believe...

That summer is over and Christmas is JUST around the corner.  I didn't purposefully take the summer off but we stayed SUPER busy.  I'll have to take time to update everyone in the Christmas cards this year.

This week started off the Christmas season.  Madison and her best friend got to share their Christmas wishes with Santa. 

And seeing Santa one more time on Saturday when Allie and Madison did so good sitting and watching the Raleigh parade for around two hours!

Saturday afternoon was time to keep warm.  The weather here has turned and early winter has set in.  Jeff and Madison took time on Sunday to do just a little more work on her playhouse.  She loves helping daddy put the final touches on her playhouse!

Swimming and Strawberries

Spring has sprung and that means summer is just around the corner.  No better time to get Madison in the pool and learn those strokes that are going to keep her active through the summer months.  She and Allie started swimming lessons at the local INDOOR pool this week so that they will be prepared for when the pool opens!

Her new swim suit, shorts and a girl can't forget her shoes!

Madison and Allie waiting every so patiently poolside for the class to start.  There was a bit of excitement in the air and I think we would have lost her in the pool if we weren't standing right there!

 

Do you think someone is a bit excited about learning?

When the lesson was complete, Madison was nowhere ready to get out of the pool and wanted to move over to the hot tub (that was off...it looked like a small pool to her).

Would you believe that Sunday hit 85 degrees?  April...85 degrees?  What is this summer going to be like?  With our VERY mild winter, the strawberry plants were bursting at the seams with berries.  This was the second week of picking and there were plenty to go around.  I think Madison ate her weight in berries.  One for the bucket, two for her!  We met Emma at the fields for picking and then a nice lunch out with her family since we hadn't seen them in a while.  There are no need for words when it comes to looking at the pictures that follow!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter Weekend

In August 2005, Jeff and I took the train into DC to check out some of the sites and took our picture at the WWII Memorial.  There was a picture of me taken at the VA sign, Jeff at the MD sign and then just for the fun of it, took our picture together at the NC sign.  This is the two of us almost seven years ago...

When that picture was taken, Jeff and I would never have thought that seven years later we would have a precious little girl!!!

After walking around the city for a few hours we were all very hungry and we knew just the place to get a good bite to eat.  Uncle Gregg and Andy had us over for dinner.  And as a treat...for Madison...Uncle Gregg let Madison paint his toenails!!!!  It was the only way she would allow him to paint her nails.

Painting Uncle Gregg's toes

Drying his toes

Uncle Gregg painting Madison's nails

Not bad for her first job

Then it was daddy's turn...she just wanted to make sure she had this down. 

 

Everyone is ready for Spring with those beautiful pink nails!!!!

*** Parker's Birthday ***

Saturday was a very full day with Parker's birthday party.  I haven't downloaded the pictures as of yet, but hope to get those on here tomorrow night.

*** Parker's Birthday ***

We were able to leave early enough on Sunday morning to be able to make it back for Lisa's Easter Egg hunt where Madison found a few Easter eggs!

Happy Easter to all our family and friends!!!!  Love to All!!!