Christmas Eve 2010

Madeline and Ryan spend hours each week playing figures.  To add to their collection, Madeline got Ryan a few new figures.  Ryan holds up Goliath.

Ryan watches as Madeline opens up the earrings he picked out for her.  I love the expression on both of their faces.

It is so fun to give gifts to Madeline because she just LOVES them.  Here she is reacting to another pair of earrings from Ryan.

The gifts they got each other this year.  So sweet.  We love their love for one another.

Daddy marvels at his new bottle of cologne. 

Daddy loves his sweet babies.

Christmas Eve slumber party in Madeline's room.

Of course, Bobo wants in on the action.

 

Christmas Eve was a wonderful family day.  We had homemade Cinnabons for breakfast and spent the whole day anticipating Christmas.  We worshiped at The Summit as a family, which was a really special experience.  It was the first time Madeline had worshiped with us, and I could tell she was moved by it.  She even raised her hands in worship and shared afterwards that it was an incredible time.  Following the service, we stopped at Sheetz for chai teas and headed home to exchange some family presents.

Gingerbread House Decorating

RyRy squeezes icing onto the gingerbread house.  What the picture does not capture is him squeezing so hard that the icing squirts out of the top of the bag.

My pretty princess.  She loves to decorate and create a piece of artwork.  She takes her time, thinking about where to place each drop of icing and how to arrange the candies to decorate.  I love watching her. 

The Gingerbread Makers.

RyRy Makin' Us Laugh

This morning, while playing 'keep the balloon in the air', Ryan states, "Come to Papa" to the balloon.  I guess he heard the phrase somewhere.  Oh my goodness, I laughed SOOOOOOOOO hard!!!

Madeline's Birthday Party

This year Madeline wanted a snowflake party, hence the Tarheel blue and white decor.  I think Daddy has more of an effect on her than she thinks. . .Tarheel blue seems to be invading our home.  And do you notice the hanging snowflakes.  Those were Madeline's idea and they were fabulous.  She used cookie cutters to cut them out.  My creative sweet pea.

Girls love crafts.  We colored ceramic Christmas ornaments, and made foam picture frames.  Madeline, of course, chose the angel ornament.  She really loves angels right now.

Her sweet friends watch her open presents.

Take a deep breath and BLOW.  How special is this?  Madeline wanted a snowflake birthday party, and it actually SNOWED during her party.  The pinata had to be canceled, but it was worth it.  Thank you Lord for this extra special blessing!  Madeline is so sweet at her parties.  She just LOVES having all of her friends in one place at the same time. I think she is more of an introvert than an extrovert, but she does get energized by having all her friends together.  It is a special blessing to watch as a parent.

Ha, ha

Last week the 3 of us went to Jason's Deli for lunch.  I noticed some plain clothing police officers carrying weapons.  I discreetly pointed them out to Madeline and Ryan, and specifically highlighted their guns.  Madeline then piped in, ". . .and look at their handkerchiefs!".  All I have to say is that it is a good thing there was no food or drink in my mouth, because it would have found it's way out.  I laughed so hard.  She thought that handcuffs were called handkerchiefs.  Of course, now it is a fun thing we joke about at home. 

Bad Bobo

Bad, bad, bad Bobo.  For a few minutes on Saturday, I would have given him away or kicked him to the curb.  Our almost perfect dog, who has never, ever jumped on a counter or table for food, did the unthinkable on Saturday morning.  He ate a large chunk out of Madeline's birthday cake.  Once I noticed, I screamed at him--I had spent at least 5 hours making the cake.  Matt took him over to the cake and yelled at him, pointing to the cake, and he, Bobo, appropriately hung his head and slinked into his crate.  We left him there, and did not think about the fact that he had gone into his crate alone and that no one had locked it.  I worked to fix the cake. . .essentially, I just turned it around.  A few moments before Madeline's birthday party began, I went into the dining room to make sure everything was in place.  Wouldn't you know. . .Bobo had eaten another large chunk out of the other side of Madeline's cake.  At this point, I acknowledged my defeat and stupidity at not locking him in his crate, and laughed--though he still got a good talking to.  So, here it is. . .the cake we will never forget.

Keeping Busy

Madeline and Ryan worked very hard on this gingerbread town.  I was so proud of them.  We finally found a good use for all of the extra halloween candy.  Do you think Biltmore could be in their futures?

We dropped the gingerbread town off at a nursing home in Raleigh.  Here is our toothless, pretty princess posing with her creation (she did a lot more work on it than her sweet brother).

Ryan draws a picture of Madeline.  A face, hair, a body, and arms.  I guess he thought Madeline did not need to walk. :)

I love these special, artistic creations.  So sweet and cute.