The Nutcracker

Madison's school put on their performance of the Nutcracker Suite on Thursday. Madison was in the choir and worked really hard to learn all of the words and actions for the performance. She was a little nervous as we arrived...

Mya and Jen came to the show and gave Madison flowers afterwards. Madison - we are so proud of you!

Christmas Shopping

The Christmas shopping is still not done but Maddy has her 'Simpsons'-style pajamas ready for the big morning...

Holiday Party

Today Bill, Lisa and Sami had their annual Christmas party. Face painting, scavenger hunting, Christmas craft-making, lots and lots of food and drink, football and friends. Maddy hit Santa up with her list (baby horse, snow globe, soft princess, something arts and crafts related, a musical instrument) and made sure that he knew how to get to DisneyWorld for the big day. Bossy and organized...wonder where she gets that from... Santa gave Madison an art set at the party and everyone had a great time!

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a great time at Thanksgiving. We went over to Jen's for the big day and Rich prepared a 29lb turkey. The food was awesome! We were up at 4 a.m. for Black Friday. Maddy got her Nutcracker doll and ornaments for her tree...

Mike got his 42" plasma screen T.V which he loves very much...

Halloween weekend of fun!

Madison was awarded her gold belt for Karate this Saturday at a graduation ceremony at the school. The ceremony was amazing, all of the students (from 5 to adulthood) who were moving up a belt, graduated on the same day. We got to see some amazing moves, kicks and fighting - it was really awesome!

CONGRATULATIONS MADISON!!!

After the graduation, Maddy got into her Halloween costume to go to a birthday costume party for one of her friends. The party was great with a bouncy castle and inflatable slide. Then we went to the pumpkin patch for our new family Halloween tradition which goes like this.... First we buy the pumpkin...
Then Michael takes out the insides and makes a Pumpkin Pie and bakes the seeds... Madison and I make a Jack o' Lantern... then we all camp out in the family room with blankets and tell scary stories.
This year Maddy told the story of the Pumpkin Castle. Clare's story was about the albino ghost horse, "Moonshine". Michael had the two scariest stories, one about a child who lost his finger when he stuck it out of the window of the school bus and the other about the 'Man with the Golden Arm'. Michael's stories involved George Lucas-style special effects (not) like ketchup and a fishing line that made a ghost appear in the kitchen. Madison thought the ghost was hilarious and spent the rest of the story shouting 'it's just a stinkin' shirt!' It was a blast...and Michael's pie was edible this year too.
Halloween itself was fun too. Maddy loved trick or treating in the neighborhood and it was as busy as ever. Happy Halloween to all of our family and friends!!