The Last Day of Christmas

We finally had our celebration with Mom's side of the family (Auntie Sherry had to work Christmas and Aunt Dan & Auntie Karen were in Arizona). It was lots of fun. We had a nice dinner. We brought veggies so we could be sure to have plenty of cucumbers for me. I could eat those all day!

Check me out on my new toy! Good thing Auntie Karen & Aunt Dan have lots of room in their basement so I could try it out. My legs are still a tiny bit short to ride it really well, but I figured out how to do it. It's a lot easier to slide forward on this seat than it is on my bike!

I really wanted to play that funny game with Daddy and Aunt Dan...and they let me. Sometimes it's good to be cute!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all...

What do you know?! Santa found us again even though we were at Daniel's house. This time, he brought me Swiper, more bracelets, my beloved movie Dumbo (on DVD), and plenty more things. My favorite gift is my talking and floating Abby Cadabby. She's been hanging out at Grandma G & Boppa's so Mom & Daddy don't get to enjoy her too much. They said they hope Uncle John is getting more enjoyment out of the drum we gave Daniel!

Christmas #2

On Christmas Eve, we headed to Auntie Jenny & Uncle John's to spend a few days with my cousins Daniel, Morgan, and Gunnar. We also went to Mass with Daniel's cousin, Jack, and his family. I wanted to sit buy Auntie Jenny and Jack most of the time. When we got back to the house, we had a fun dinner of appetizers, and we had lots of play time. Remember Daniel's firetruck from last summer? We played in there again. Jack kept coming in to tickle me. Daniel likes to fold people up in the truck, but I didn't mind. I do that to myself in my tent at home. Sometimes I even try to get in my without unfolding it at all. Mom says I'm quite imaginative already.
I dressed as a shark for Christmas, what was your costume? Hee hee! It was Daniel's Halloween costume. He wore it for a while earlier, and when he got tired of it, I wanted to try it on.
We got to open our gifts from Uncle Brian and Grandma Mary first. We planned to save the rest until later.
Isn't this how everyone opens a big gift?

Uncle Brian, we loved Backpack (and Rescue Pack) so much we made Gunnar get it open for us. He's a great big brother/cousin and was happy to do it. He, like us, probably would have been happier to see YOU there in person to do it. Since you were just here for Thanksgiving, we'll cut you a little slack...but we still miss you!
We're checking out Dora and Diego on our View Masters. And wearing our new slippers. Mine may be a little big, but I still love them...thank you Auntie Jenny. I wore my Dora jammies again the other night, and wear the robe most days just for fun. Jammies are my favorite clothes...if only Mom would let me wear them all day!

Christmas #1

Since we were going to see my cousins on Christmas Eve and Christmas, Daddy decided to take an extra day off so we could have our Christmas early. The night before, I got to open one present (my Tinkerbell jammies) so I could be wearing it the next day.
Santa heard we wouldn't be home for Christmas, so he filled our stockings early. Swiper the fox was in mine, but since he was feeling the Christmas spirit, he didn't try to steal any of my stuff. I got a bracelet with my name on it. I know it's my name because it starts with M! I know Santa didn't put it in there, because I saw Mom making it for me the day before. I love to wear any bracelets, but that one is now my favorite!

Since our breakfast was still baking (we had cinnamon rolls and blue cheese quiche...despite being a real man, Daddy ate the quiche), we opened a few presents. We spent lots of time getting each gift out of the box (Mom curses all toy packagers) and playing with it before I opened another one. My favorite gift from Mom & Daddy was either my Curious George or my computer...with this one, I don't have to say, "no, no puter" before trying to play with it. And when I press the M key, it says M right along with me. Gotta love that!

I played with my new books and toys until almost lunch time before I decided it was more fun to play with the box and Mom's "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" carolers. I love that song. The Muppet version is better than these carolers, but Mom & Daddy only let me listen to that in the car...so I ask them to play it over and over and over and over...anyway, we had a fun relaxing day just hanging out together.

More "Where Was the Camera?" Moments

So we finally put up the tree, and I made the mistake of showing Mad a giraffe ornament she received last year from Uncle John & Aunt Jenny...maybe I also mentioned it was hers. Now she takes it off the tree daily, referring to it as "Maddie's giraffe." Whenever she notices it back on the tree she gives it a "what the heck?" look, and steals it again. Soon, one was not enough. She really likes my polar bear/penguin ornaments, anything Snoopy, Shadow's photos, and a few other bears. She usually only takes a few at a time, and other than her favorites (which tend to get hidden among her toys), she "exchanges" them by laying them on or under the tree before taking another one.

She also loves the ornaments with lights and motion (most of which she can't reach), so we hear a lot of "Santa sing again" (to make Santa/Frosty dance and play Jingle Bells) and "push Taz again" (to see Taz tangled up in flashing lights). Much like watching the Grinch about 6 times yesterday (under Daddy decided he couldn't take it one more time, and started watching football), some things never get old for Maddie!

The moment I most wished the camera wasn't out in the Buggy...since Jeff was outside, I tried getting a few of his presents wrapped. It lasted under the tree all of 5 seconds before the "PRESENT!" exclamation and the sound of paper tearing. There sat Maddie, opening Daddy's present for him...a few days early. Even after she knew it was his, she wanted to finish opening it to see what was inside. Now all the wrapped gifts are tied safely away in the big Santa bag. Until she figures that one out too!

Oh, and we can't forget the stockings. Since the day we got out the stockings, she's been calling them socks, and wearing hers around the house. Originally she preferred to wear two, but now that she understands which one is hers, she only wants that one.

Happy Birthday, Tina

...one week ago. Mom figured since you're never on time for anything, we should post your birthday greeting late. hee hee!

Anyway, hope you had a happy day, and when it's cold, remember those warm summer days spent beautifying your yard while wearing a nice white gardening dress. Maybe by May or June, I can find a pretty white dress and come help you!

Gobble, Gobble!

Grandma G & Boppa have a new pet! Well, not really, but they're trying. Last time Auntie Sherry was here, we saw a turkey wandering around the backyard. It's been back some since, and the other day when Mom & I were about to leave, Boppa told us to wait because the turkey was there again.
It likes to eat under Grandma's birdfeeders...whatever the squirrels don't steal, anyway. We watched it for a while, but when Boppa tried to throw more food out there it ran (and I mean RAN) away.

Who Wants Me Next?

The day before Mom & Daddy's anniversary, I got to take a little trip without them. Boppa and Grandma had to go visit Auntie Sherry, and she suggested they tote me along. I was so excited to go see Sherry and her dog Charlie, I climbed in my seat while Boppa was trying to install it in his car! The long car ride down went quite well. We had lots of fun. Then, when we got to Sherry's, I found my airplane rocker and colors right where I left them at Halloween. Even more exciting, she had a new "boat" for me to play in. I've now learned the word kayak, and hope to have one of my own when I am bigger.
Baby Jaguar and Auntie Sherry's moose liked playing in there too! I also got to help walk Charlie and wear my new boots in the fresh snow (we didn't have snow at home then, but we sure do now!). Sherry had to help me some because it was a bit slippery. I don't know about her and Charlie, but I sure thought our walks were fun!
It was a fun visit. And Mom & Daddy had a nice anniversary dinner plus did a little Christmas shopping. Unfortunately, we hit some bad weather on the way home, so our drive back home was v e r y s l o w. We got home after 11:00pm. The really bad part (for Mom, anyway) was I slept for about 5 hours in the car. When Mom & Daddy got me in jammies and sent me to bed, I thought it was time for breakfast. Mom snuggled me in their bed, hoping I would fall asleep faster, but ha ha!! Around 3:00, after watching Dumbo twice, hearing Goodnight Moon, having both parents sing my favorite songs, and Daddy giving up to go sleep on the couch, FINALLY I fell asleep...for about 4 hours. There was a lot of napping going on the next day...though very little from me!

Little Sister or Little Brother?

We had the big ultrasound yesterday for our little snickerdoodle. Of course, as predicted, at the start of the show, Snick had crossed legs, dooming the poor baby to be known as Snick until the end of April.




Everything looked great as is proceeding as it should be. Here's a picture of the face showing the lens of the eye...slightly less weird looking than the skeletal facial shot (or not?).

There was plenty of hand and leg movement, including one fist pump (apparently Snick does not like to be pestered during play time - just like big sister) and the "oh geez" hand gesture.

The feet are actually growing in proportion to the body. Either this kid will have normal sized feet, or those don't really grow until the third trimester.


Oh, and near the end of the appointment with the ultrasound tech, she said she couldn't give us her usual 99%, but she was 88% sure we're having a girl. The doctor came in and said he'd call it 92% sure, so IT'S A GIRL!!

Another Birthday?!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNTIE JENNY!!

Daddy has a song for you:

Happy birthday to you.
You live in a zoo.
You're another year older.
I'm still younger than you.

Mom mentioned coffee cans to him, so he quit singing now.

Mom & Daddy...15 Years of Marriage

If Daddy & Mom have been married so long, shouldn't they have kids a lot older than two? I'm just asking...

Anyway, hope your day is a VERY SPECIAL and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Happy 60th Anniversary!

My great-grandparents (Great-Gommie and Great Grandpa Leo, Daddy's grandparents), celebrated their 60th anniversary this month with a big party. Hundreds of family and friends came out to congratulate them. Mom and I got to make a big picture board of our family to display. It turned out to be mostly of me (Mom & Daddy need to work on getting more pictures of the two of them)!

One of my favorite people, Daniel, was there. It was a good thing because he woke me right up from the grogginess of my car ride nap! Under the table looked like a nice place to play...

Auntie Jenny makes good sandwiches. I sure needed one. After being too distracted by Daniel to eat when Mom tried to feed me, then running all over the gym with Daniel, I was HUNGRY!

Daniel taught me the proper way to eat frosting...all in one piece.

Same for the cake. Good thing I have an older cousin to teach me all this stuff so I can teach it to my younger sibling!

That gym was a great place to play! Daddy's cousins came in to play too. I had dinner with some of them on Friday, and was very shy (or being dramatic, in Mom's opinion) that night. This time I played with all of them just fine, and even invited myself to play catch with some people I had never seen before!

Uncle Brian and the shaved head...Mom and I forgot to rub it. Oh well, he'll still be bald in June, right?

They tried to make us sit still for a pictures. Seriously, have they met us?!?

Uncle John wasn't feeling so hot, so Daniel had to leave early. He gave me a nice hug and kiss goodbye. Later on, I forgot they went home, and ran up and down the halls calling out, "DANIEL! DANIEL!" I was sure he was still there somewhere...waiting for me to find him and chase him some more.

Mom thought I needed one of my prettier pictures of the day on here...

Thanksgiving Days

It was a very big week for me...Uncle Brian was home from Utah, Auntie Sherry came to play with me, I ate lots of mashed potatoes, and learned the word cucumber. Those things are tasty!

On Wednesday, we had Thanksgiving with Mom's side of the family and Uncle Brian. It was lots of fun at Auntie Karen & Aunt Dan's house. I always love to play with Star and Colter, plus Auntie Sherry brought Charlie over too. We have no pictures because Mom couldn't remember where she set the camera until it was almost time to go. If anyone has nice pictures of me sliding on the floor, hanging out under the table with the dogs, or whatever, please send them to Mom!

Thursday, Mom & I watched the parade on TV. I saw Snoopy, Dora (& Backpack), Hello Kitty, and ABBY(!!!!!) balloons. We saw part of the Chicago parade too where they had an Elmo & Dorothy balloon. I had a lot of fun marching around with the bands...still no pictures.

Later we went to Boppa & Grandma's for leftovers, football, and naps. That football thing confused me...where were my Vikings? Badgers? Sooners? Who were we even watching? Why? Oh, and did Mom even BRING the camera over there?!

All in all it was a fun time...and there was more to come over the next few days with more time spent with Uncle Brian and Daddy's side of the family.

An Ox for Great-Aunt Lucy

It's the one, the only, the much-beloved King of the Lakes, ELVOX. I can't guarantee he's any good at hip-shaking, but he does have some pretty spectacular sideburns. He had to wait until today to make his appearance so he could help wish a special Elvis fan (aka Great-Aunt Lucy) a very special birthday...so HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


Here I am, just hanging with Elvox...and Daddy.


What Elvox looks like on the flipside.

An Ox Outstanding In Its Field

Blame Daddy for the pun, but it really is out in a field. This is Windy. After we went on a the wild ox chase trying to find this one, Mom looked up the address information again (using a different source). It was actually about one minute from the Green Ox! Plus, she learned she the newest map she had in her office had all the ox locations marked. Can we get an AARRGGHH!?! This was our last one, so I guess we were due for some extra excitement!

Windy has a lot of great details - angel wings, wind, a big wave, lots of little animals here and there. It was fun to crawl all around to find things tiny hidden on the inside of its legs and among the bigger pictures.

Back side of Windy. See the head of the caterpillar peeking out between her front legs?

This beaver is tucked on the inside of her back leg.

The top of her back leg has an outhouse. You can see the ladyslipper on her lower front leg.

We still have one more ox to post, but that won't appear until a very special day in December ...

Just Practicing...

We're getting ready for Thursday... actually Wednesday, Thursday, and probably Saturday.
Maybe by then I'll have the closing my eyes part down. Daddy is an expert.

Ain't He Adorable?!?

How could you not love Elmo? Can you tell he makes me smile? My two favorite Elmo things are when he sings his theme song -- I always sing along, and when he rides his bike. It makes me want to wear my helmet too!


Today, Elmo was finding all the letters of the alphabet on signs around Sesame Street. When they put the entire alphabet on the screen, Mom asked me to find the letter M. I surprised her...I DID! Everyone, including me, knows M is for Maddie.

Hey, Gunnar...

Celebrate, good times...come on! It's a celebration!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope you have the best day yet...

It's a Great-Aunt Day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mom's Godmother and my Great-Aunt Jeanette!
I don't get to see her that often, but she sure makes me (and Mom) feel special! Hope you have the wonderful day you deserve. We love you!!

Flowery Ox

Me and Daddy posing with Oxygen. I think the ox is smiling right along with us. Oxygen was kind of a flower child ox, but we liked it a lot. It was very pretty poised in the middle of all the flowers. This one went off to auction too, so I guess next year there will be extra flowers in that spot.
Another shot of us and the front of Oxygen.
The back with more flowers and a butterfly. There were flowers painted up both back legs too.
Nearby I saw some paintings. One with "a deer, a deer!" and one with "a fish, a fish!"