Christmas in T-town

Best gift-a box
She loved the tent
all the cousins got matching raincoats
Mayhem

M with Papa
M with JC
Kelly and I in our matching scarves
M with her loot at Gigi's. She had just woken up from a nap, and wasn't the happiest camper yet



Her loot at home

On Christmas Eve we woke up and had Christmas at our house. We opened gifts and had a delicious breakfast. Lance read from the book of Luke the Christmas story. We then packed up in a hurry to head down to T-town. We enjoyed Christmas with both sides of Lance's family over the 3 days we were there. Sadly, Gail was suffering from a pretty serious infection while we were there so she was not feeling well, but she is recovering well. She has to continue chemo through March, so please continue to pray for her.

Before Christmas

A bit of Tom Foolery around the house
Making Christmas cookiesThe sprinkles got a little out of control
Partaking of the fruits of her labor

This is what I come in to find most mornings-a naked baby. Some nights she takes them off before falling asleep, most mornings its just when she wakes up. I will say "Madeline, why are you naked?" Her response "I got hot."

The Polar Express

All of the 2nd cousins

Gail's church took "The Polar Express" from T-town to B'ham the weekend we were in Dallas. Santa was on the train! So fun for all the kids. They all dressed in their PJ's and then went to the Galleria afterward. This was also M's first ponytail!

All Done Forever

Putting on lipstick


Last weekend Lance had his "graduation" conference to officially become an FSA (Fellow of the Society of Actuaries). It was at the Gaylord Hotel in Dallas, and I joined him on Friday so that we could attend the banquet together. Even though we knew he was done, it was so nice to finally hold that piece of paper in hand and know it was official. I really wanted to cry when Lance walked up on stage to get it. It was a long time coming, and I am so thankful to have such a dedicated and wonderful husband, who spent literally thousands of hours studying for these exams over the last five years.

In other news, we all had the awful stomach virus that is going around last week. I have not had one of those in years, and to make it worse, Lance was out of town. I know I have said it before, but I really don't know how single parents do it. Also, had to turn on our AIR CONDITIONER because its been 70 degrees everyday, only to find out it was broken. $400 later, my house is now a comfortable 72 degrees in December. So insane.....Merry Christmas to us!

Some things I didn't want to forget M has done lately. She is beginning to understand sympathy/empathy a little. The other morning I was getting her out of bed and she stepped on her lovie. She said "Oh, I step lovie. Sorry Lovie." She tries to feed him too. She likes to play "night, night" as well. She has a monkey that she will lay next to, she will rub his back, and whisper to him. She will then inform me that "he sleepin." She also thinks he's real because she will leave him in a room and then yell "Monkey" like he's going to pop up and come to her. Her sentence structure is great, and she can repeat most things we say. She loves to try to make us laugh. The other day she told me that her uncle had pooted (I don't even think this really happened), and I laughed, so now whenever she wants me to laugh she says "big Steve pooted." She is the only girl who comes to class consistently at MDO , so all she talks about are the 5 boys in her class. Most of her other friends at church are boys too, but she still seems to know her feminine side. She loves her purses, necklace and putting on lipstick. She also loves to play with money (coins). Lance has been giving her pennies when he comes home in return for kisses. He was sad to discover he could buy her affection. Merry Christmas to everyone! May our God of hope fill you will his peace and grace this holiday season!

Its Beginning to Look A Lot Like Chirstmas

The finished product
Madeline and I made a gingerbread house the other morning. Madeline ate a lot of candy, and refers to it as her "candy house." She is still talking about the icing that got all over her hands
Our Tree
She called these the tree necklaces
She really only likes to wear glasses this way
Cute Pilgrim hat she made at MDO. She came home with an Indian feather hat the week before but I forgot to take a picture before it got destroyed
It was cold at the Festival of Lights, but M refused to keep a hat and gloves on
The night before we left we went to the festival of lights at the Cincy Zoo. Its been at least 10 years since I've been. We had a great time. Madeline kept talking about how the animals were stinky.
How hilarious is her hair?! This is what it looks like if you try to brush it straight back.

Thanksgiving

many of my cousins
The view of Downtown Cincinnati from where we had Thanksgiving. It was at my Aunt's condo community center in Northern Kentucky.
Dad and my cousin Jessica. We were also celebrating a few milestone birthdays this year (hence the balloons). Two of my cousins turn/ed 30, my uncle Jeff is turning 50, and both my parents turn/ed 60 this year.
Napping with Mimi
Entertaining everyone with "The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round"
Following her new friend Tyler (my friend Leah's son) around at LaRosa's (Best pizza in town!)

Fun Things We Did

Visited Uncle Garry at the Firehouse twice.

She thought this sink with the petals for water was the coolest

One day it was almost 50 degrees so we got to play outside for a bit
My great Aunt Fay
Lunch with my Aunts and Grandma
Aunt Tonya and the Shark towel
My Uncle Kermit and Aunt Nancy came to visit from Florida
Roasting marshmallows with the Family