sass

New Year's Eve we headed back to Wichita to spend a little time before heading back to Dallas. New Year's Day we went out for lunch. Madison had been wearing her tutu all morning, so she decided she had to wear it out to lunch. I love her expression too.

making the rounds

While in KC we tried to see lots of our friends. So we had lunch date and play dates. I think Madison had a great time, but I think we wore ourselves out. Thanks to everyone who made time to see us and to those that hosted our visits. It was great to see everyone!
Maddie and Elison with Handy Manny.

Maddie holding Carissa's new baby Zella.

First snowman

Maddie couldn't wait to get out in the snow and play. Madison tried to be helpful making the snowman, but she kept getting snow down her gloves.

Christmas #3

After spending several cold days in Wichita, we headed to KC on Sunday. While Wichita never got more than 4 inches of snow, KC has almost 14 by the time we got there. After a nap, it was time for Christmas #3. Madison helped hand out all the gifts and made it through them all this time because we wait to open until they are all handed out.
Madison got Jessie from Toy Story (she sleeps with Madison most nights now), 2 great books and an art portfolio from Grandame and Grandad. Then we ate dinner. Then after dinner, we got Renny, Brian, Luke and Ella on the video chat so they could see Madison open their gifts from them. They got her the little people wedding set and little people royal carriage. Then Maddie opened the cutest tutu and headband. She was so busy playing with her little people that she wasn't that interested at first, but then she put it on.
Jessie!

Helping Grandame
The tutu and headband, you can see Luke on the video chat in the background.

Choo Choo

This is the adorable outfit that Aunt Ashley bought for Madison. She wore it the day after Christmas. The video is Grandma and Grandpa being silly with Madison.

Jingle Bells

Madison's singing debut. This might be one of my favorite videos.

Christmas #2

Christmas morning we woke up at my parent's house. Santa came again with presents for all. Madision had to try on her new outfit right away. We did stockings first thing, then had breakfast with the whole fam. Then we exchanged gifts. Madison started helping me hand out gifts to open, but once she started opening her gifts, she got distracted.
Madison got the Sleeping Beauty outfit and the frog prince from Santa. Grandma and Grandpa got her a new baby doll, a baby pack-n-play and a bag with all kinds of stuff for baby. Ashley and Cy got her an adorable dress, a stuffed kitty cat and a sticker book. And Spencer and Sarah got her the Topsy Turtle game. She had a great time with it all.
This is us at the top of the stairs waiting to opening stockings.
Aurora
Ta-Da!
With Grandpa
Kisses on the forehead, Grandpa's speciality
Madison gives one back


Helping Sarah
Christmas casserole and poppers
Aunt Ashley
Unwrapping baby

all decked out

For Christmas we did the tour of Kansas again. We were supposed to leave Christmas Eve morning for Wichita, but we heard there was a storm a brewin'. So we decided to leave Wednesday at noon. Our trip was smooth sailing, and we are so glad we left when we did. Thursday morning was really cold, the wind was blowing sideways and then the snow started. Oklahoma got 14 inches, Wichita only got 4ish. But it was enough for Maddie to put her snowsuit on and head outside for a few minutes.

Christmas #1

So the Friday before Christmas we set out cookies and milk for Santa. (Maddie picked out her PJs). Then after the pic, we put the cookies up on the shelf so Sadie couldn't get them before Santa did.
Saturday morning was our Christmas. Maddie came out to find Santa's gifts (a little people castle and the art desk, plus little stocking stuff). And then we had breakfast. Then we opened gifts from each other. Maddie got the sleeping bag, Ariel suitcase and a little people airport from us. The video is of Madison opening her sleeping bag. Its kind of long, but pretty funny. She did have to take a nap in her sleeping bag that day on the floor of her bedroom. (I tried to get her to sleep in it on her bed, but that wasn't right).
Madison also helped us all open our presents and every time I pulled a new present from under the tree she would say "presents for me" even if they weren't.

cookie time

We asked Santa to make a special trip the weekend before Christmas so we could have Christmas morning at home. So that meant we needed to get cookies made. So that Thursday night we frosted cookies. We used a new cookie recipe that was really good and homemade frosting that was really good.

wichita visit

While Rick was in Chicago, Madison, Sadie and I took a long weekend to visit my parents. My dad was recovering from hernia surgery, so Madison and I entertained Grandma. We made a trip to Exploration Place with Spencer, a trip to the our favorite bookstore, a trip to Botanica to see Santa and the lights, and we made a ginny house (what Madison calls a Gingerbread house). Maddie ate more candy that she put on the house. And then she kept asking for more, so we told her she had to ask the Gingerbeard man that lived in the house. She she would ask if she could have one. It was really cute.
Posing pics.


Cuddling with Grandpa.
the before shot,
Decorating.
After.



She wouldn't sit on Santa's lap, but sat on the arm of the chair if I stayed right there.
The blue lights at Botanica. Maddie loves riding on shoulders now.
By the pond.

Baby Ella!

I know I have a lot of catching up to do, so here goes...

The weekend of Dec 10th Rick went to visit our new niece Ella Renny Pedersen, and to celebrate Christmas with the Pedersens because they couldn't come to KC for Christmas this year. He had lots of fun hanging out in Chi-town in the extreme cold weather. And from what I hear Luke loved his Buzz Lightyear Falling with Style Hot Wheels. Little Ella is beautiful and Madison and I can't wait to meet her.
Renny, Ella, Grandame and Grandad.

Luke's Presents.