Daddy

Daddy sure is a comfy place to rest...All three girls piled on daddy the other night.

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas Eve 2011 was spent at home. A nice relaxing day spent with the family. We woke up nice and early thanks to the girls, tried to get some photos with mommy, checked in on Santa feeding the reindeer, mommy ran to the store for one last minute purchase, daddy painted Madeline's fingers AND toes with pink nailpolish topped with sparkles (bonus points for daddy), made some cookies for Santa, had our traditional Lasagna and meatballs for dinner (thanks Nonna), saw Santa come by on a fire truck, watched the Polar Express, fed the reindeer with our special food, and then set out cookies for Santa. Whew! I guess it doesn't sound relaxing, but it was all fun stuff and Madeline was so excited for Santa this year. It was adorable.

Momma and Avery

Momma and one mad little elf. Not really, she just decided she didn't want to smile.

Avery played so hard she kicked her foot right out of her pjs!

Checking in on Santa feeding the reindeer!

Santa on the fire truck! After which Madeline stated, "I don't like Santa." I think it was a little loud and scary for her.

Feeding the reindeer.

Selecting cookies we made for Santa!

Tree all set up, Santa came!

Madeline's stocking, this year he brought a Mr. Fox to go with Mrs. Fox!

Santa ate the cookies and drank the milk!!!

Johnson Christmas Card 2011

Merry Christmas!!!!

and a look back ...

(2010)

(2009)

 

Not sure where 2008 went, but I'll find it :)

This is the look of...

...A little girl who is almost potty trained! YEAH! Anyone who knows me knows that this has been the thorn in my side for the last several months. Ugh. Madeline has been VERY resistant to potty training, to the point of when I asked her to sit on the potty she would cry.

Well two weeks ago I met my breaking point when she made a HUGE mess, which required lots of laundry and a bath. I think she knew I was serious after that little discussion. I put her in pull ups and big girl underwear and didn't look back. The first week set the timer and every 30 min she would sit on the potty. While she didn't pee on the potty, she wasn't wet either. Progress. The next week we went to dance class, came home and started our bath water...while I was taking care of Avery Madeline said "Momma I have to go potty." I couldn't believe it, she sat on her potty and actually went potty! I could NOT believe it, I was so excited and so was she...two pieces of chocolate please!

After that there was no looking back, we've been peeing on the potty almost all the time, even at school and while we have had a few accidents. *Knock on wood* I think next week we might be transitioning to big girl underwear. Wahooo! I think Santa might be bringing princess underwear for her stocking!!! Talk about the BEST Christmas present yet...wow, now I really sound like a mom. Who needs diamonds when you have a child who is potty trained? ha.

Moby Wrap Success

When I was pregnant with Avery I head so many good things about the baby carrier called the Moby wrap. I was lucky enough to find one at a consignment sale for $15 and today I finally got a chance to try it out. Annnnnnd I Love it! I wish I would have had one for Madeline. Avery loves it too, she fell right to sleep and there are so many different positions you can put the baby in while carrying them around. Love :)

Teacher Gifts

The other day we got started on our teacher gifts to take in for the last day of school before break. Madeline helped me to make the yummy chocolate treats and while she was napping I completed them with cute bracelets. I hope they enjoy their goodies as much as we did making them!

We gave them hand-soap in the shape of an apple, very appropriate no? And our cute bracelet!

Getting to work on our special treat...rolos melted onto pretzels and topped with a pecan. Divine!

Smiles from Miss. Avery

Our baby girl has been giving us some great smiles lately! :) Love them.

Hershey at Christmas!

On Monday we packed up and headed to my moms for the day! We got to play with cousin Emily and see Aunt Kristin, and then we headed to Chocolate world to meet up with my good friend Tina and her family! Unfortunately the photos with our friends is on my other camera, so those will have to come later.

Grammy and Avery :)

Grammy, Momma and Avery.

Me, Emily and Kristin.

Avery's first trip to Chocolate World...a very sleepy one.

Madeline with the Chocolate Reindeer!

An entire house made of Chocolate! It was amazing!!!

In front of the big tree!

School Christmas Concert

Here is the money shot from her school Christmas Concert...she lasted all of one song until she saw us and then it was over. She spent the rest of the program in either my arms or Brad's arms. *sigh*

Cookies!

After Breakfast with Santa, it was on to make cookies for Santa Daddy. :) Madeline did a really great job rolling out the dough and using the cookie cutters all by herself! Mommy and Madeline had fun and daddy is happy to have more of his favorite gingerbread cookies back in the house ;)

Let the cookie making begin!

Madeline's first gingerbread men! Good job!

And a star!

Avery took a nice little nap while this all was going on.

Breakfast with Santa

Last weekend we packed up the girls and headed out for Breakfast with Santa. Initially Madeline was excited about telling Santa about what she wanted for Christmas, however by the time we got there it was a different story...

Excited and ready to go!

This was as close as she would get...go figure. Maybe next year!

Christmas Party!

Madeline is all dressed up and ready for her Christmas Party at school today!

A little gem I caught

Madeline was in the mood for dancing the other night...I love it.

A few snapshots

A few photos I captured with my phone over the last few weeks that make me smile.

These little legs are getting chubbier and chubbier and I love it!

Madeline and her little sister.

Avery dressed up in her Snowman outfit from Auntie Bridget.