A little more Christmas...

 I forgot I had the pictures on my regular camera because I had used my iphone to take the rest of my Christmas pictures-seriously iphones take such good photos that it almost makes my actual camera obsolete! Anyway, here are a few pictures from visiting Chet's Grandma and Grandpa Cawley. They live in Pocatello, which isn't far away really but we actually only make it down there with the girls maybe two times a year, I know that is awful- what can I say- life is busy and sometimes when we do have extra time we just want to sit in our house and do a whole lotta nothing! So, anyway, here's a few pics:

Lisa, Joe, Megan, Grandma Cawley, Madi, Grandpa Cawley, Chet

 

Madi opening a baby doll.

 

The girls in their cute Christmas jammies that their Great Grandma got them.

 

Oh my 3 year old is suddenly looking so big!

No Business Like Snow Business...

Finally some snow! As always it decided to stick around a few days late- my ideal yearly snow pattern would be to have it start snowing November 1st and then snow atleast 2 times a week until December 31st- then it could all start to melt! I love having snow for the holidays- oh well! It finally came and the girls took advantage of their new snow gear from their Great Grandma Cawley.

 

Meg and Madi doing a temperature check before they get serious about playing.

 

Meg decided she wasn't up for playing and parked herself and didn't move the entire time that I shoveled off the front porch and the whole sidewalk(we have a long sidewalk too- I was sure she was going to get adventurous).

 

Madi tried to talk Megan into playing- she brought her a snowball and everything and Meg still had no interest in the snow.

 

I finally put her down on the sidewalk to see if she would waddle ino the snow but again, she had no interest in it.  

 

She does look cute in her snow pants though!

 

Madisen, however, loves the snow. If you look closely you can see all the now she had just thrown into the air.

 

My little snowbunny

 

I asked her if she wanted to make a snow angel and she said "Yeah sure," and then preceded to lay down and do it. I haven't ever shown her so I was a little surprised she knew what I was talking about. So thanks to whoever taught her- I didn't really want to lay down in the snow to show her! 

Christmas

Christmas was fabulous this year! We spent a lot of time with family and loved having a child that understands the fun that Christmas brings! We start Christmas at my in-laws on Christmas Eve- I am so grateful for awesome in-laws that started opening presents on Christmas Eve so that we could spend time with my family on Christmas Day. Then Christmas morning we spend at home with our little family and then we head to my parent's house. Here are a bunch of pictures for your viewing pleasure and my memory backup:

At my in-laws we each take a turn opening a gift- I thought Madi would go crazy and drive us crazy in turn but she did awesome and made sure everyone was taking their turn.

My in-laws usually buy each of us a "gag" gift of sorts. Fun stuff like chicken chuckers, potato shooters, or in my case a magnetic holiday squirrel complete with magnet outfits for each holiday or event. They are awesome gifts and we each look forward to them every year!

My squirrel and it's attireÜ

Dressed up for Christmas! Although now that Christmas is over it is in a nice warm hat and sweater cuz we all know that January in Idaho is the coldest month of the year!

 

Daddy and Meg. My girls have been so happy to have their Daddy home with us again. Both girls just love to climb into his lap and just cuddle up with him randomly, so sweet!

 

My favorite present- she didn't like it so much when her Dad kept putting them on her head!

 

The Cawley gang- Lindsey, Momma Lisa, Papa Joe, Madi, Meg, and Chetter Bob

 

My little family on Christmas Eve

 

Santa came!

 It has been interesting combining traditions over the years- for instance there are big name tags with the girl's Santa gifts- Chet asked what that was all about and I told him my Santa always put tags so you knew whose was whose. And Madi can spell out her name and Megan's so this way she would know which was hers. Then another tradition we had to sort out was that my Santa always brought one gift and his brought several- so obviously we did his Santa's way. There are other random examples- but the point is that it is kind of fun to forge out on your own and figure out how you want your traditions to be with you kids.

 

Madi was so concerned about looking at Meg's stuff that she had barely even glanced at hers- even after she looked at the name tags! She finally did start rummaging through hers after she told us how cute Meg's things were and noticed her Mickey Mouse Clubhouse book.

 

Meg finally woke up around 9 to check out her goods!

 

Madi was so sweet and helpful to Megan- who lost interest quickly. Madi helped Meg rip at the paper so she could see what was inside and then she would say, "Oh look Meg, look at your toy!"

 

Madi helped me wrap presents one night and I had completely forgotten she had wrapped a present for Teddy Bear until I was passing presents out. This is her opening it for him- its a shirt that she took off of him to wrap up and give to him!

 

Megan actually opening a present on her own

 

I love Madisen's face in this one! She loves dress-up clothes so when she opened this princess dress from the movie "Brave" she was so excited- and she hasn't even seen the movie! She wore it all day long and has had it on atleast once a day since then!

 

This picture is funny because look at the pink box by my hubby's leg- yep that's a tampon box. He ALWAYS guesses his gifts if you aren't super careful. So I have to add things to change the feel, look, or weight of a gift. This time I had gotten him a cd so I wrapped it between two tampon boxes- he didn't guess what it was! And the look on his face when he saw the boxes was funny- he said, "You got me tampons?"

 

And two weeks ago he guessed two of his presents (although he claims to not remember this) when a package arrived just before I got home and he brought it inside after I told him not to touch it. I asked him if he knew what it was and he said, "Either a hunting pack or a jersey." He got both for Christmas as his main gifts- this man is impossible!Ü

 

Madi wrapped herself up in wrapping paper on the floor and asked me to put her in her Dad's lap so he could open her up- pretty good present!

 

Like any little kid who doesn't get the present thing- Megan loved the paper, boxes and mess most of all!

 

Madisen loves Rapunzel and watching Tangled so we bought her a Rapunzel wig to wear with her Rapunzel dress. When she is wearing that dress she will come up and say, "Mom tell me 'Rapunzel let down your hair," and  after I do she pretends to throw hair over her shoulder and you have to grab on and let her pull you into her imaginary tower.

 

The Blakely Gang- Gavin got cut off but he was sitting right next to his mom- then there's Teri, Cody, Chloe, Mason, Chet, Madisen, Taylor, Dad, Paul, Bailee, Brigham, Erin, and Ken and Faith are in the front. My mom and I were snapping pics

 

Paul, Bailee, Brigham, and Erin and you can't see her but little Tavery (I don't know if the spelling is correct- I have to ask her momÜ) is growing in her Momma's belly- she will officially join the family in April- yay!

 

Faith and Kenny

 

Gavin, Teri and Cody

 

Visiting Santa...

Madi was so excitedto go see Santa. Although she did tell me she didnt want to sit on his lap and asked if that was okay and, of course, I told her that was fine and that she could sit next to Santa on his chair. Although once we were in line and she was watching the other kids she changed her mind and asked if she could sit on his lap. She was so anxious to meet him.

 

 

Waiting as patiently as any 3 year old can....

 

My pics didn't turn out great at all but thats all right- I just wanted my girls to see Santa. Meg hated him as soon as I started to walk away so I could take a picture. She screamed with outreached hands. Then the photographers got in my way to try to calm her down thinking they were taking a picture- thankfully Santa pointed my way and must have told them I was trying to get my own picture from outside the ropes (I gladly would have paid for their pictures had they not been charging an arm and a leg). Then my camera took forever to snap the picture and obviously didn't choose to activate the autoflash. And I didn't take the time to notice that it had taken such a crappy picture because I just wanted to rescue my screaming baby.

 

Then as I was holding Meg, who was still sobbing- I really have to not torture the next child- I attempted to snap a pic with my iphone but obviously just got a blurred mess! I have to say it looks a little artsy(maybe I am just trying to make myself feel better!) Oh well- memories, right? Madi loved Santa though and she sat on his lap and just chatted away until she had to leave. As I was walking past I yelled Merry Christmas and Thank you to Santa and he stopped me to say that of all the children who he had asked how many days until Christmas Madi is the only one who knew the answer. We have been using her Santa countdown with cottonballs (or meatballs as Madi calls them).

 

 

Mery Christmas everyone- we hope that where ever you are and whom ever you are with that you are safe, warm and grateful! It is such a beautiful time of year and I cherish it so much. I love the Christmas Spirit and the beautiful meaning of the holiday. We are so grateful for all of you and the love and support you offer our family. We are grateful for our health and for the life we live- there are many who are not as fortunate in this world. And we are grateful that the Mayans just ran out of room on their calendar and aren't really privy to the inner workings of God's plan! I really have not had enough time with my beautiful girls yet- so had the world started to crumble away I would have been a bit bitter! Ü

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year- May your holiday travels be made safely and may your next year be one of prosperity, service, and love! We wish you the best!

  

Playing...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madisen loves hiding and then saying, "Mom, say where's Madi?" Of course, before she says it I know where she is because most of the time she hides while I am standing right there and other times there is a foot sticking out- silly girl!

Letters...

Madisen started writing letters recently- I didn't even know she knew how. Apparently one of the games I loaded on her Leappad teaches her how- yay for the Leappad! Here's some of her handiwork.

 

 

 

Can you see F, E, L? 

A 3 year olds Christmas...

Madi sort of gets Christmas and sort of doesn't. She knows Santa is coming and bringing her presents but she can't figure out the 'when' part and why it is taking him so long to get here. It cracks me up a bit. On a daily basis she says,"Mom is it Christmas time?" I reply, "Yep it is." M-"So is Santa here?" Me-"No, not until Christmas Day." M-"But why is he taking so long?" She will be so excited when we finally let her rip open presents!

Madisen's Grandma Cawley brought her a Santa Christmas Countdown paper- Madi loves it and won't let us forget that she needs to glue another cotton ball on each day. Although every day she glues a cotton ball on and says, "Is Santa coming now?"

 

On a side note: We came out of Wal mart the other day and Madi noticed the Salvation Army bell ringer and asked what he was doing. I did my best to explain to my 3 year old that the man was collecting money to help people and asked her if she wanted to put some money in the bucket. She said she wanted to so I dug some change out of my wallet and put it in her hand. She walked over and carefully put it in the bucket and then turned beaming at the bell ringer. He promptly handed her a lollipop and told us Merry Christmas.

After we got into our car I brought it up again, hoping that Madi would retain the importance of such a gesture. I said, Honey do you know why we put money in that bucket?" Her response was immediate, "Yeah mom, so we could help people," then she paused a second and added, "And it helped me get a lollipop too."

Well, atleast she gets it!

Ü