Santa was here

What a busy holiday season. I have come to learn that holidays as an adult tend to be a hurry up and wait and then fly by the seat of your pants event. Christmas was wonderful. Madison had a very busy holiday season. We kicked it all off with Christmas at my mom's family event on 12/20. We saw cousins and family we only see once or twice a year. It is a tradition started by my great grandparents and upheld by my "gangdaddy." Now that he has passed our families take turns holding the get together at our houses. It has been a blast and is wild to see how much the kiddos have changed. Madison is and will be the youngest for a while. There were to new engagements though. Congrats to Jay and Kristina and Kelsey. Madison latched right onto Olivia and played her heart out. After breakfast and present opening Madison stood up as sweet as can be and exclaimed "Thanks Everybody! Happy Birthday!" A little too much frosty I guess, but adorable all the same.

Madison went to a Christmas party with grandma and grandpa on the 23rd and really had a good time. It was a busy day. We met after the party and went to see Santa for her picture with him and a few last minute errands. I could see the excitement in her eyes as Christmas grew closer. As adults it is easy to lose the magic of Christmas, but seeing it through the eyes of your child quickly reignites the spark! What a gift it is to be a mom...

Christmas Eve was a blur... Madison spent the day with her Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa. I think someone there is in good with the big red man because Santa had made an early delivery there! Madison even worked hard to pick out presents and a candy basket for me and for herself. Her Daddy said i was very hard for her not to eat it all up... There was so much excitement about Santa's upcoming arrival at our house. Madison even got a phone call from the big man in the red suit. She was very excited. We have it on tape, so if I can figure it out I'll post it soon! We were watching tv when Madison heard Santa outside. She jumped up and said, "I need to take a bath. I need to go to bed, Santa is here!" We took a quick bath, climbed into Christmas pj's and then settled around the couch for "The Night Before Christmas" as told by Poppy. Mads got mad at everyone laughing and left the couch, climbed into aunt Kristina's lap and demanded the story be finished there. It is sure to be a family classic for years to come!! Got it on video too! We took her to bed, tucked her in and she told me to get out so she could sleep and Santa could come! And boy did he...

We woke up Christmas morning just before 8 am and set out to the living room to find a trampoline, smart cycle, train table, star station and more!! She was more than thrilled and by 12 noon was gifted, jumped, cycled and star stationed out. She headed for a nap and slept for 2 1/2 hours. When she woke up she got ready for her cousins to come and more presents! She even got a huge dollhouse! She has had a blast.

Madison had made mom and dad a light up Christmas tree to match the one mom has that is great-great grandma's. madison's fav thing to do is take all the lights out and put them back in. She called mom out bigtime Christmas night. Mom had the old tree lit, but had yet to plug the new one in. mads came out looked at both trees and said "you like your old tree better mamaw??" What a smarty! Of course mamw loves her new tree... no worries Madison, I think it is her new fav!!

All in all a great Christmas filled with family and friends! What a great way to close 2008!