Scottie, Angie, Maddie, and Baby Kenzie: 2014

Christmas

I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone and that there is only 1 hour left until the New Year! Time sure does fly by and we enjoyed every minute of it with our sweet baby girl, Madison. She made Christmas so magical for us, and it was a perfect morning. It was also a BIG day because Madison gave up her binkie aka Meme to the Christmas tree to take to the North Pole.

A few months ago Madison came up with the plan to, "give her Meme to the Christmas tree to take back to the North Pole, and then she would get a BIG Big present." I found myself laying in bed the night before asking Scottie, if we really were going to do it? What were we thinking of doing it on CHRISTMAS??? Plus it's one of the last things left of her infancy, and I don't want to let it go, I want her to stay my baby girl forever. But alas Christmas morning came and we stuck to the plan and Miss Maddie Sue did an awesome job! She hasn't had her binkie in 6 days and has kept all the same sleeping patterns as before. She's my angel baby and will hopefully always stay

the amazing sleeper that she is:)

Christmas morning- Madison awoke to sleigh bells

Last time sleeping with Meme ever!!!

Giving her Meme to the Christmas tree (she told me all about it, and even reenacted it out today)

Getting her BIG Big present from the tree

She had requested a soft blanket, so we got her this cute pink and gray chevron one (kinda pictured below) it came with a matching elephant lovey, which Maddie has since named Ell.

Maddie with her stocking

Our traditional stairs picture

Ready to start opening presents!!!

Maddie with her loot from Santa

Maddie LOVES gold fish and Santa brought her a box, almost as big as her!

Her dollhouse

Soooooooooooooooo happy, it was even the one she requested:) Santa is a good listener

Madison giving Me the gift she picked out for me. A Frozen shirt:) Scottie and I tried to teach Maddie about giving gifts at Christmas and not just receiving them. We had her give each of her little friends a gift, then her cousins, and one for Mom and Dad. She picked out a nerf gun and the game Operation for Daddy since he's a doctor. It was fun to see what she picked out for everyone.

Play dough!!!

Opening her gifts from Grandpa and Grandma Hansen. She is so excited to finally have some legos of her own:)

We were all certainly showered with gifts and are grateful for all we have been given. We know we have been blessed with much, and are most grateful for the gift of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. It was a great Christmas Season to remember and honor Him.

Christmas Eve

We had a great Christmas Eve with the Parkers and Zauggs, and it was so fun to be a part of their new fondue dinner tradition. The kids played, we ate, did our candle light tradition (my fav), and opened presents.

Fondue Dinner.....soooooooooooooooooooooooo good!

Gift exchange

Madison opening her gift from Grandma and Grandpa.

A Tinkerbell fishing pole, with a cute little fishing hat and vest Grandma Tracy made.

A BIG fish came with it too:)

After all the festivities we rushed off to do some dark winging

Then we rushed home and had this cute girl leave out some cookies, carrots, and milk for Santa and his reindeer. Madison insisted the milk was for Rudolf. Hahahaha

She was so very excited

Doing the last pocket with Dad. Madison had looked forward to baby Jesus coming all month, and would tell us over and over, "He was the first Christmas gift, so we get presents." So very true, and I can't express enough how grateful we all are for the gift of our Savior.

December Activities

We have had a very eventful December getting ready for Christmas. Here are some of the pictures to document it all.

Me with some of my students at our Christmas piano recital

We had a full house!!!

Anne was in town from Alaska so Liz and I met up with her to chat. It was fun to see how much baby Ryder had grown.

I hosted a baby shower for my dear friend Athena. Here are some of the party goers:)

Teaching another pre-school lesson. Our theme was shapes.

Story time at the library. I adore these two sisters who teach. They are retired elementary teachers, and do such an outstanding job. Madison just loves them:)

The Piano Guys!!! What a fun night out with my hubby, courtesy of my parents. We scored a MAJOR hook up when our friend moved us to the front row. It was an amazing show. So entertaining, fun, and uplifting.

Jon Schmidt playing the piano upside down while Steven Sharp Nelson watches.

Maddie ready to go pick out our CHRISTMAS TREE!

Daddy getting it ready to decorate. Love our tradition of eating pizza, watching a Christmas movie, and decorating our tree.

Another tradition I love is our advent calendar. Here is Maddie and I getting ready to open the first pocket. She looked forward to opening it everyday.