Thanksgiving Memories 2011

We had an awesome time visiting family in CT for the Thanksgiving holiday.  It started off a little rough before we left because Bill got stuck in DC for work and the kids were sick with a nasty virus.  I ended up driving up to CT by myself with the kids on Tuesday and Bill met us up there on Wednesday night.  Luckily, the kids were feeling a lot better by the time we arrived, I survived the 9-hour drive with the kids and dog, and Bill was able to catch up on some well needed rest during our trip.  It was an awesome holiday and Bill and I have so much to be thankful for in our life!

During our time in CT, we visited with family, saw the Princess Diana Exhibit, decorated Grandpa's Christmas Tree, saw Peter Pan, and ate lots of good food and drank lots of wine.  It was awesome trip!

The Christmas Season is now in full swing with lots of fun things planned this week.  We are going to start decorating the house this week, shopping has begun, and the kids are super excited, especially Madelyn.  We have been listening to Christmas music today and put up Madelyn's pink Christmas Tree in her room.  They were all smiles as it lit up the corner of the room.  I can already tell it's going to be a great Christmas!

Thanksgiving Morning

Headed to Great Aunt Pam's house.  Couldn't get them to smile to save my life!

Coloring at the Tedone's House.  Madelyn was in heaven!

Kid's table for Thanksgiving Dinner

Tom and Vera

We had about 14 adults and 3 kids split into 2 rooms.  It was quite the feast!

Ellie enjoying her roll during dinner!

Cousin Nikki made Madelyn a cake for her birthday. Nikki has been taking a class and the cake looked amazing and tasted yummy!

Amy, Kristen and I at the Princess Diana exhibit.  It was amazing!

Decorating Grandpa's tree!  Madelyn was REALLY into hanging ornaments and was quite the helper.  Ellie just loved handing the ornaments to Uncle Mark.

Ellie trying to figure out how the hang the ornament!

Too sweet!

Love this picture because of Jack's bow!

Madelyn worked so hard she got to put the angel on top of the tree!

Sitting in front of the finished product!

Grandpa and Vera surprised the adults with an early Christmas Gift.  We all got IPad's.  Woo hoo!

We let the cousins exchange gifts early too since they will not be together on Christmas!

Madelyn loves her Princess CD player from the Richter Family!

Morning at the Park. It was beautiful weather!

Peter Pan was awesome!  Madelyn and Jack before the show.

Hanging out in the family room after dinner!

One happy Grandpa with his grandkids!

More Birthday Festivities

Madelyn had a really good 4th birthday and I already feel like she's acting a little more grown up since Wednesday!  She woke up on the morning of her birthday and asked "Now that I'm 4, can I wear high heels out of the house?".  We are going to have our hands full once Madelyn hits the teenage years! 

On Madelyn's actual birthday, we went to Ms. Nancy's music class which was a treat because I usually take Ellie when Madelyn is in preschool.  We also had lunch with Nana, Joshua and Cora which was a lot of fun.  In the evening, we had a big skype session with the McGuire family (including Bill) and Ellie decided to give Madelyn her birthday present by vomiting on Madelyn's head.  Needless to say, the night did not end as I had planned and we've had some sick little girls ever since!

Here are some more pictures from the last week:

Preschool Party with Krispy Creme donuts! 

Ellie was so excited that Ms. Bridgette arranged a place for her to sit next to Madelyn!

Birthday Girl at school!

Opening her gift from Grandpa and Vera.  She loves her Dora pajamas and other goodies!

The birthday girl requested a donut and heart shaped pancakes for breakfast on the special plate!

Singing happy birthday with Nana, Cora and Joshua. with leftover cake!

Happy Birthday Princess Madelyn!

Our little Madelyn is turning 4 on November 16th and we've already started celebrating.  On Monday, we celebrated with our Bunco playgroup with cupcakes at the park.  It was a great way to start off the week on a beautiful Fall day and Madelyn was so happy that all her friends were there to celebrate and sing Happy Birthday! 

Today, we had princess tea party at our house.  It was the first time we've done a real party at our house where we had kids from Madelyn's class at school and many parents even dropped off their princess.  We started off the party with a craft and then headed upstairs to our 3rd floor for Pin the Crown on the Princess, a dance party, and a Princess Pinata.  The girls then headed back downstairs for a little tea party.  They loved drinking out of the tea cups and asked for refill after refill!  Madelyn had an awesome time with her friends and told me that her party was "the best party ever" which melted my heart!  Happy 4th Birthday Madelyn!  We love you!

Here is as video from the princess party:

Liam even joined in on the fun at the playgroup party!

Madelyn, Ellie and Judah are best buds. My girls love the Moore boys!

Bunco Playgroup 2011

Ellie loves cupcakes!

All ready for the Princess Party!

Gotta love a Costco Cake.  They are good and cheap!

Favor bags filled with magic wands, tiaras and jewelry!

Madelyn and her Meme

Nana and  Pop and their Princesses

Very serious about the craft.  They decorated Door Hangers with jewels and princess stickers.  I was actually surprised it was such a hit with the Princesses!

The craft kept their attention for a while!

Meme made Ellie a door hanger and she was very excited!

Madelyn trying to round up the Princesses for Pin the Crown on the Princess!

Madelyn went first and put the crown exactly where it should go. We are still not sure if she could see through the blindfold or it was luck!

Madelyn was very into the game and sat on a stool to watch everyone have their turn!

Ellie's turn!

Ellie looks like such a big girl playing the games

Princess Fashion show!

Madelyn and Lainey

The Birthday Girl went first!

Madelyn's main request for her party was a pinata!

Ellie's turn and she's the one that pulled the string that spilled the candy!

Tables ready for the tea party!l

Can I have some Tea Please?

Princess Madelyn enjoying a little heart shaped sandwich!

Cora, Isabella and Macy enjoying their lunch and tea! It was amazing that all the girls sat in their chair the entire time while they drank their tea (water) and ate their lunch. They were all so good!

Our Birthday Girl!

Family Photo!

All the girls were so excited for Madelyn to open their gifts!

Madelyn and some of her preschool buddies!

Nana and Pop with their 4 grandchildren!

Joshua was wide awake during the party.  He's going to have a rude awakening when he's older with all these girls!

Cora was SO excited about giving Madelyn a Pillow Pet and waited patiently to give Madelyn her gift.  Cora loves Pillow Pets and picked it out all by herself! 

Testing out her new bike from Nana and Pop!

Lainey was the last princess to leave!