Catch-Up...Playing in the Snow!

A couple of weeks ago the temperatures here finally warmed up a bit (out of the single digits). I believe it was about 16 degrees and Madilynn was ready to play in the snow. So Daddy and Madilynn put on their snow pants and gear and got out to play for about 30 minutes. Madilynn had a good time exploring, but wasn't quite sure about not being able to swing or slide.

Waving bye bye to Mommy who was headed back inside...too cold for me to stay out that long!

First Movie!

Today we took Madilynn to her first movie at the theater. We went to see Madagascar 2 at the dollar theater in town. She did so good! They even had booster seats to put in the chair, so she sat at just the right height. She clapped at the end of the previews it was so cute, and she tried to talk to us a couple of times about the movie, but overall she was very quiet the whole time. Such a big girl.

We talked to her last night and told her that we were going to the movie today and reminded her what it was about. She likes the first Madagascar movie, so we reminded her it had the zebra and lion and lots of other animals in it. When she woke up this morning the first thing she came in and started talking about was the zebra and lion. She was so excited!

Fun Times!

Last weekend Memaw and Pepaw came to town for a visit. Madilynn got lots of playing time. We went to a place called Recess where Madilynn got lots of indoor play. She got to ride a train, jump on a trampoline, jump in a castle, and go down the slides. She was going so fast I wondered how long she would last. It was right before nap time when we went and she lasted about an hour!

Michael got me these tulips - so pretty!

After waking up from her nap one day last week this is how she came into the living room.

Daddy and Madilynn built a tent out of the couch cushions!

Here's the jumping castle slide

Yesterday Daddy dressed Madilynn and she looked so cute, I had to take her picture. Maybe I should let him dress her more often.

Daddy even did her hair! So cute - I love it!

New Kitchen!

Once we got home Daddy spent all Sunday afternoon putting together the kitchen Madilynn got for Christmas...Here's the finished product! He did such a great job!

Madilynn is telling us that it's "hot"!

I think she loves it!!
Here's a picture from this morning after her bath. She decided she wanted "to cook" and then she told me she needed her apron on "to cook" - so cute!

TOO MUCH SNOW!!! I know I'm saying this a little early..after all there's still a good 2 more months of WINTER in Iowa...but I'm so tired of seeing it already. We (me and Madilynn) have been inside all week except for a short trip to the grocery store (with Daddy), due to all of the snow and COLD temperatures. Just so you know currently the temp is 0 and the wind chill is -24...pretty dangerous... So here's a picture of all the snow as of yesterday, but we got more last night. Let's just say the car is pretty much snowed-in now!

After our trip to the store we got this picture while Madilynn was still all bundled up...

One more Christmas...

The weather in Arkansas was great while we were there for Christmas...look there's no snow!!! Madilynn really enjoyed playing outside. Here's a couple of pictures of her playing ball!

We got one last Chrsitmas gathering in before heading back to Iowa. Daddy Gene and Ladonna made it to town and we were able to visit with them for a couple of hours before hitting the road.

Madilynn still likes her little rocking horse...

Christmas Day!

We spent Christmas Eve night at a hotel in order to have Christmas morning together as a family. We started out with breakfast (from Rick's bakery, we got the day before - yum!), we opened our presents from each other, then Daddy read us Luke 2 the story about Jesus' birth (the Christmas story).

Here's Madilynn with the apron I made for her! - Wow! I couldn't believe that I finished a sewing project and it turned out so cute!

Mommy got a new journal and pens
Daddy got a tray for his wallet and keys that I painted and put pictures of Madilynn on it..

Then we were off to lunch and visiting with Memaw, Pepaw and Uncle G. Here's Madilynn with the tree - I actually caught her standing still and smiling!

Madilynn got a big kitchen!! (I'll put up pics later of it put together once we got home)

Then we headed over to Nana and Papa and Ashlee's for dinner! Here's Madilynn with the tree again. But I'm going to have to do a better job next year of getting Madilynn's picture with the grandparents while we are there.

My parents got us these ice scraper mits from Eddie Bauer... I had never seen anything like it before and I thought it was just perfect for Iowa - haha!

I made this little sign for my mom's kitchen!

Here is my sister Ashlee with the plaque I made for her room!

Here's Madilynn with a new outfit from Nana & Papa - so cute!

Christmas Eve

We ended up leaving Iowa for Arkansas a couple days early (Friday the 19th) for Christmas break in order to dodge some snow storms. We made it to Arkansas safe and sound. We really enjoyed our time there and took full advantage of the warmer temperatures. We spent several days at the park with temps in upper 50's - low 60's. Madilynn really enjoyed her time outside. I did some baking and made my Christmas cookies. This year I made Peanut Butter blossoms, no-bake cookies, and these sugar cookies - YUM!

There were so many pictures to sort through, but here are some of my favorite. We spent Christmas Evc at my grandmothers house with all of my mom's side of the family. Here is a picture of us all - Mama (grandmother), Aunts, and cousins.... (need more boys - ha! currently only 1)

Family picture - Christmas Eve

Me and my cousin Asten and our girls!

My parents - watching everyone open gifts!

So cute - Madison and Madilynn (the great-grandkids)