Happy First Birthday Emily!

On Saturday afternoon we headed to Mechanicsburg for my niece's first birthday party! Madeline was well behaved for the most part. She ran around like a crazy child, but really what can you expect out of a two-year-old? Our one saving grace was Uncle Chet, Madeline LOOOOVED him! She was constantly trying to talk to him or get his attention, and it was only Uncle Chet would could help her with her yogurt, and only Uncle Chet's lap when it was time to watch Emily dig into her cake. It was completely and totally adorable.

We got to see Miss. Em dig into her cake, though she was very dainty, just like Miss. Em. It was great to see everyone wish Emily a very Happy Birthday.

Birthday girl and Mommy.

Birthday girl riding her new gift from cousin Madeline.

Yes, this really was the best picture of the two of them. Madeline's hair is a mess, she looks like a tornado ran through her hair, and don't even get me started on her crotch shot. My little girl. *sigh*

Yummy Cake and smash cake!

Mommy, Daddy and the birthday girl!

Uncle Chet helping Madeline with her yogurt.

Madeline and Uncle Chet watching Emily dig into her cake.

Madeline waiting ever-so-patiently for her piece of cake. Her hands almost went strait into the entire cake several times.

Happy Birthday Emily!

Cake is good!

Mmmmmm. Cake is soooooo good!

Cake is kind of silly too. Just like Miss. Em!

Fall Recap

I found some of our photos from the fall that I forgot to post...better late than never!

Sadie and Brad. Haven't gotten this good of a photo of the two of them in years!

Love this photo of Sadie, Love.

And Hanna's cameo shot.

Action shot. Ha.

Fun with mommy in the leaves. Somehow, no matter how old I get, playing in the leaves is still as much fun as when I was five :)

Cha-Ching!

Anyone who knows myself or my mother knows that we are "thrifty" shoppers. I don't walk into a store without a coupon, or at least not without searching for one before I go. My mother is the queen of savings, but this last receipt at the grocery store might be my best yet!

Yup! Almost $50 in savings. Cha-ching. :)

Happy Saint Nicholas Day!

For those of you who don't know...today is Saint Nicholas Day! We celebrate this holiday in our house, with little gifts that St. Nick would leave for children and yes, adults too! It's a little tradition that my mom started for us when we were little and now we get to do with our children!

V. Interested in mommy's part of the gift from Aunt Sarah and Uncle Mark, until she realized it wasn't a picture book. Oh well, I LOVE it!

Very excited with all of the new plates and utensils from Aunt Sarah and Uncle Mark!

Trying to feed her bear some of her PEEP!
Yes, nothing like a peep at 8:30 am, to my surprise, she didn't like it!

Loving the puzzles from Grandma Ayres!

Pointing the hat out to Hanna.

Loving the bear!

So excited to open the gift, she ran off with it!

My Grandma

This is the first year we are going to be celebrating Christmas without my amazing Grandma. I am missing her so badly this year it hurts. From her cheery smiles, hugs and cute sayings, to her vintage Christmas pins, which yes I now have and will wear them proudly, to her tins upon tins of Christmas cookies.

Madeline and Madeline, my grandma was always in her prime when there was a baby or child around. So proud to have my daughter share her name.

Christmas Party

Last night Brad and I had a night out to ourselves! Thanks to Miss. Jenah, Brad and I headed out to the club for their annual members Christmas Party. We got to listen to some great music, sip a few cocktails and chat, yes actually have a few continuous conversations, with some great friends!

Our attempt at a family photo...*sigh*

Look at those young kids. Ha.

Me and my handsome husband.

Snuggly Chair

The other night Brad and I had to put some laundry away, so we brought Madeline up to our bedroom and tucked her in our big chair with a movie. She loved it. She actually stayed put for a good 30 minutes! WOW!

Thanksgiving 2010

This year's Thanksgiving was a relatively quite one. It was just the three of us hanging around the house all weekend. It was nice to relax and enjoy ourselves, but I know we all missed all of our friends and family we couldn't be with. We hung out in our PJs for most of the morning, watched the Macy's Day Parade, and then headed to dinner at the club. Madeline was, well, she was okay for dinner. What can I say? She's two, and you know what comes along with two right? Yes, the terrible twos are in full effect in our house. Time outs are typically daily, and counting to three is starting to happen in my sleep. I am thankful that we all get to start fresh the next morning, as rough as it is sometimes, I still can't wait to get in to my little girls room in the morning and get her up. So thankful this year for all of our friends, family and our health.

After watching one of the first opening numbers of the Macy's Day Parade, Madeline grabbed my hand, dragged me up to her bedroom, into her closet, and pointed to her tutu on the top shelf. So cute. She wore it all morning until nap time.

A rare photo...Madeline relaxing with daddy, well relaxing at all, unfortunately this only lasted for a minute or two.

Getting some inspiration from the Radio City Rockettes! Maybe she remembers seeing them in person last year?

Chandelier (LOVE)

I have a chandelier in my kitchen and I could not be happier about it! I've wanted to put one in for the past 2 years or so, but with no chandelier there before, I knew it would be a big undertaking. This year, Brad and I aren't doing gifts for each other, so this is what we decided to do instead. I am so happy with it! The guys just finished up a few hours ago. It makes me smiling just looking at it. Did I mention that I LOOOOOVVEE it?

Anyway, this little eating nook has undergone several big changes since we bought the house. 1.) Maroon wall paper taken down 2.) Fresh coat of beige paint 3.) Decided I don't like the beige and repaint a light blue 4.) Add curtains 5.) Chandelier goes up.

I am so happy with this little nook, it might be my favorite place in the house. Well, it might be a close call with our bedroom :)

Our eating nook, complete with new chandelier!

Isn't she a beauty?

What it looked like about a year ago with the new curtains at the time. What a difference huh?

Cookie Day!

I've got great news for you all...The holidays have officially arrived at my house! Our first Cookie Day of the season was in full swing yesterday. I didn't really plan for it, but I've been in the mood for some baking for a while now and yesterday was perfect! Madeline and I got geared up and made almost 6 dozen cookies! About 4 dozen Gingerbread and 2 dozen sugar cookies. Yummo! Oh and Madeline had a blast. She LOVES helping me in the kitchen.

Getting ready to bake, I had to put my apron on her, which looked more like a tube dress. I have a feeling I'm going to have to make her an apron for her stocking :)

All ready to go Momma!

Hmmm, what do I do with this?

Mmmmmm, can I eat some now???

So goooooood!

The finished products, Madeline couldn't even wait for the iced cookies. She snuck in while I wasn't looking and got a pumpkin as it was cooling, and was extremely happy with herself.

Gingerbread cookies, for the snowflakes they are predicting this weekend.

And fall harvest cookies for Thanksgiving...I love my swirly leaves :)

Night night

When we put Madeline to bed, very rarely does she ever fall right to sleep. Some kind of shouting, talking, or jumping typically occurs. Last night she kept saying "happppy, Happpy, haaaaaaaaaaaaaapy." over and over again. Unfortunately I only caught the last happy. It's still entertaining none-the-less.

I look away for 2 minutes...

Honestly, I looked away for 2 minutes to get Madeline's dinner ready and when I looked up this is what I saw. My child completely naked, except for socks...keeping it classy. Lovely.

Had to keep it internet friendly here : )

Gloves!

This morning when Madeline finished up breakfast she wanted to go and play outside. Which with darkness falling at 5 pm, I am eager to get out during the day. Unfortunately it was pretty chilly. So, I broke out the new gloves I had gotten for her last week. She was so excited to have gloves with fingers and not her mittens! They were a bit big, but they did the job, and the look on her face was priceless...

GLOVES! Really? You mean I can still use my hands!?!?

And pick up rocks!?

Loooooooove the gloves!

And I can point to planes in the sky too!

And get really close to the camera. I know this has nothing to do with the gloves, but I couldn't resist the cuteness :)