Christmas was a BLAST! It was everything I could have wished for and more. Madelyn was so into opening her gifts. Coincidentally, she had just learned to say 'ooo' and used the perfect inflection when 'oohing' and 'aahing' at her new gifts! I know at some point (I'm sure sooner than later), we are going to want to have our own family traditions including waking up at our own house on Christmas morning, but this year, we made it work at all FIVE Christmas celebrations in Janesville and our own little Christmas at home! Madelyn was the bright star and highlight at each party (at least in my opinion)!
We celebrated December 23rd at our house and exchanged just a few gifts!
Checking out the box
'Ooo' this looks fun!
Checking out her gift
'Ooo' I just love it!
Posing with the shirt she picked out for daddy
We then packed up our bags, loaded the car with gifts, and headed for the Christmas extravaganza in Janesville.
Picnic snack before hitting the road. We timed our trip with Madelyn's nap and she snoozes the whole way there. The trip is much more pleasant than what it was 6 months ago....when she would scream the whole way there!
When we arrived, we found Grandma and the dogs resting up for the Christmas parties!
We spent Christmas Eve day at my Grandma and Grandpa Evenson's house. We had bunch and exchanged gifts. Madelyn is the first great grandchild, but she was quickly joined by my cousin Sarah's baby boy Orion.
Great Grandpa picked out this signing decoration and Madelyn's gift. He sang, "Deck the Halls" (about 100 times).
Opening her gift....a new outfit and toy camera.
We headed out around noon in order to get Madelyn home in time for her second nap. Little stinker refused to sleep. I guess she had her own plan (which ironically, worked out much better)! She napped from 3-5pm (normally she goes to bed at 6pm)....jackpot! We were able to spend more time at my Aunt Lou and Uncle Bill's house that evening.
Cousins playing Skip-o
We (well I actually wasn't part of the decision....someone) decided to eliminate the gift exchange this year. So instead, we enjoyed great food (potato bar!), cocktails, and games! We were able to stay 'late' 7:30ish due to Madelyn's late nap which was great. I was sad to miss out on some of the fun though!
Christmas morning. Santa brought Madelyn bath toys and a net! Daddy put a bow on Madelyn's head....she's THE best present we received in 2010!
New puzzles! All three dogs checking out the gifts! Have I mentioned what it's like having three dogs? CIR-CUS!
A new book with a finger puppet!
Madelyn opened her gift from Joe and Jessica....Paddington Bear! How fitting!
Thanks to Skype, Joe and Jessica watched from London!
Madelyn LOVES books. It makes me so happy! She'll lay on her tummy and flip through them herself. In fact, here's a pic of her doing just that!
Family picture on Christmas morning!
'Choo choo'!
It's true....boxes are the most fun! Madelyn crawled through her 'tunnel' about 20 times. She got stuck trying to turn around in there and decided she had enough!
Next stop was Casey's parents house to celebrate with his extended family. Madelyn is going to have a BLAST as she grows up. There are 7 little girls 4 and under in the family!
Kaitlyn is HILARIOUS! She was willing to pose like this about 5 times....she has on Matt's glasses and is holding a picture of him when he was her age....spittin image of her uncle!
Mary and her sisters open a gift from their brother Jim and sister in law Monica. They had 25 years of the family's slides put onto a DVD. It was three hours of memories set to music. So cool!
Whoa....more presents!!
Playing with cousin KK.
Hanging with my cuz Addison.
Madelyn and Casey's grandma Damrow
Onto December 26th, one more day of Christmas. I met my girlfriends for breakfast, and that afternoon we had Christmas with the immediate Murray family.
Madelyn was back by her cousins posing for the picture until she noticed more PRESENTS!
Playing with Grandpa
Whew....Christmas 2010 is OVER! We had a great one!
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