Big Boy

Braden is getting so big! He loves to copy everything big sissy does and he is so happy now that he is big enough to reach the table like her. He thinks he is so neat eating with a plate at the table and even trying to color with her. So cute!

Here is another of him recently cuddling his new football pillow. He can't get enough of his new ball pillows!

Somersault!

Too cool for school!

Braden loves wearing accessories more than big sissy. He finds everything and insists that I put it all on him. He wears it all around for hours...

Christmas Day

We woke up to our stockings filled on Christmas day :) Braden actually slept in until 7:00 (SHOCK!!!) so that was really nice. Madeleine was up shortly after which is very unusual for her since she typically sleeps until at least 8:00...she was excited to see what Santa brought! We all received special gifts from family far away too and opened those. Thank you to everyone for your special gifts for the kids, they loved them!

I made a pecan pie cheesecake especially for Jeff, a mix of his two favorite desserts and he loved it!

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas! We spent Christmas Eve at my parents house opening up presents from family. Even Santa stopped by! Another year with wonderful traditions and fun memories made. The kids came home with some really fun toys...it is so nice to have some new things to play with!

Madeleine & Kathryn had a lot of fun playing together. Both looked so pretty in their Christmas dresses. 

Madeleine & Kathryn were so excited to open their first gift from each other. Kathryn LOVES Hello Kitty and got a bunch :)

Braden trying to be a reindeer...

Madeleine has been playing with my old doll (named Marabelle) and Marabelle & Madeleine got matching outfits!

Braden got a set of sports pillows and LOVES them! All the kids played with them all night and he still can't get enough of them...even sleeps with them!

A BIG THANK YOU to my parents for hosting Christmas Eve! It is always so special! Such yummy food and lots of special traditions. The kids were all spoiled :) Thank you!

Frosty

Braden's 1st snowman!

Snow!

Our first snow fell this weekend...and melted before we woke up the next day. Braden kept yelling "snow, snow" and was very excited to go outside! Madeleine & I built a snowman too.

I felt guilty doing anything fun though while I thought of all the families in Connecticut. I couldn't stay away from the latest updates, wanting to know why. With Madeleine heading to school next year, it all hit close to home. Of course the kids had no idea, so we stayed busy doing holiday activities - headed out to dinner, drove around to look at the Christmas lights and saw friends.

We lit a candle to remember all the victims. They are all in our prayers.

Swim Madeleine Swim!

Madeleine is doing so well in her swim lessons. I can't get over how amazing it is to watch your child learn how to swim...especially since it is a sport that I particularly love. Madeleine seems to love it too - the first time we arrived for lessons this session, we walked in and Madeleine smelled the chlorine, smiled and said, "yum"! My sentiments exactly! We love the pool! Ha!

Since I've been in the pool with Braden while Madeleine was in her lesson, I haven't been able to watch her progress but was able to last night. I took some video of her swimming on her tummy and she is also learning backstroke (pictures below). Her teacher said she is ready for the next class up - Go Madeleine!

More of Braden Swimming!

Jeff made it to swimming early and he got to get in the pool with Braden which meant I got to watch! So fun to watch him enjoy splashing around! He seems to be liking it more and more each time we go. Unlike Madeleine at his age, he seems to think it's quite fun to go underwater!