Cookies and Snow

We have had a fun but interesting week leading up to Christmas vacation. Madelyn came down with a fever, cold and ear infection last Saturday. She bounced back well during the week other than a runny nose but started feeling bad again last night complaining of her ear hurting and running a fever. I also came down with a bad cold this week, but I am feeling much better today.

Despite all of our illnesses, we have managed to do some fun Christmas/Winter activities. Madelyn and I spent the night at Nana and Pop's house on Tuesday night because Bill was out of town all week. Madelyn made Christmas cookies and we had a very relaxing and fun visit. On Friday night and Saturday, we got a ton of snow. We got over a foot of snow which is very odd for Richmond, especially in December. The news said this is the first time we have had over 10 inches in December since 1917. We are so excited to have some snow on the ground for Christmas!

Yesterday, we played in the snow and walked over to our friend's house to do a little sledding. Now looking back, it probably wasn't the best idea because Madelyn came down with a fever and ear ache hours after our snow adventure. However, it was nice to play in the snow and Madelyn really enjoyed riding in the sled. She's still not a fan of the snow and would much rather ride along while Daddy pulled her along like a horse. I'm thinking one of the reasons she seemed uncomfortable yesterday is because her snow suit was very tight (I only had a 12 - 18 month suit because I didn't think it would snow this early). However, the mitten keepers that Grandpa sent down last week worked great. Thanks Grandpa! Her mittens are on in every picture!

We hope Madelyn's ear infection is better by Christmas Eve because we are very excited about Santa coming. Our shopping is done, presents are wrapped, and we are just waiting for the festivities to begin!

Nana showing Madelyn how to roll the dough in a ball!

Madelyn looking at the finished product!

Madelyn loved using the spatula to get the cookies off the pan!

Madelyn putting the Christmas tree break and bake cookies on the pan. A 2-year old enjoys the simplest of cookies!

Heading to the Moore's house!

Wow, this is better than walking in that nasty cold and wet stuff!

Going down the hill in her sled! We're not sure what she thought!



Jacob enjoying the snow! I think Bill and the other Daddies had more fun the some of the kids!



More sledding fun!

Heading down the street in the snow!

Santa Visit 2009

We went to the Children's Museum of Richmond to visit the legendary Santa this morning with Nana, Aunt Amy, and Cora. The kids really enjoyed it (other than Madelyn's actual picture) and it was the same Santa we used to see when we were kids. At least it looked like the same Santa. Madelyn and Cora got to watch Santa come down the chimney and had the opportunity to sit on Snow Queen and Santa's lap. They also saw the Christmas Mouse, Rudolph, and Frosty walking around. Madelyn hated the characters and Cora loved them. It was a lot of fun.

Madelyn would not sit on Santa's lap but was very fond of him after he asked her what she wants for Christmas and she gave him a high 5. While we were walking away, she was saying "Bye Bye Santa"!

I wore red mainly because I had a feeling I would be in the picture. When I was a little girl, my Santa pictures looked very similar!

Waiting in line to see Santa come down the chimney!

Madelyn trying to figure out if she's going to sit on his lap!

I think she could have sat their all day!

Madelyn loved the Snow Queen.

Telling Santa what she wants for Christmas. She said a doll!

Getting so big!

The closest Madelyn got to Frosty!

Christmas Fun

We have had a busy couple of days putting up our Christmas tree, getting together with friends for some holiday cheer, celebrating Cora's 1st birthday, and the Gardenfest of Lights at Louis Ginter. It's really starting to feel like winter and we have broken out the winter coats and actually wore gloves and hats this weekend.

We decorated the house last weekend and finally got our tree on Sunday. Madelyn had a good time picking out the tree and putting it up. By the time we got around to decorating the tree, she was taking a nap which was probably easier for me. On Sunday night, we celebrated Cora's 1st birthday. It was a fun time for everyone and Cora loved eating her cake! We can't believe it's already been a year!

Tonight, Madelyn and I went to Louis Ginter with Nana and Pop. Bill is away on business so we spent the evening looking at lights and roasting some marshmellows. Madelyn had so much fun running through the paths of lights and really liked holding the stick by the fire.

Here are some pictures from the last couple of days: Buying our Christmas Tree. Maybe next year we'll venture out to an actual tree farm!

Cora enjoying her birthday cake!

Cora and Madelyn are exactly a year apart!

Enjoying the lights with Nana and Pop!

Enjoying Louis Ginter with Mommy!

Madelyn sporting her new hat from Bizarr Bizarr!

Roasting marshmellows with Nana and Pop!

Madelyn's favorite part of the night was holding her stick and eating a graham cracker!