Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Pictures to come soon!

So, I take out my camera to load up pictures and realize that my memory card is missing!!! I left it at my mom's house...so...pictures will be coming soon (once I get that card!)!!!

We had a great Christmas week! Madison got really into opening presents this year. She finally got it that she gets to rip open gifts and come away with a car-load of new stuff! On the evening of the 18th, we did Christmas just the four of us. It was nice to spend the time with our girls and not only open gifts, but just hang out and play after. We left the eveing of the 19th to drive down to Norwalk. We got to spend just under a week with Blain's parents and it was the rest we were needing! The girls got to spend time with thier grandparents and Blain got to sleep in and I got a break from caring for the girls 24/7! Madison and Emily got some great gifts and cute clothes!

We drove to Patterson the afternoon of the 26th and spent the next few days with my parents! I loved being able to spend time with my momma and daddy! Saturday night we took the girls and went out to dinner with 6 of our friends! Jeremy and Mia, Jason and Nikki, Phil and Sarah plus their cutie of a daughter, Nevaeh! It was such a wonderful dinner and we were so proud of Madison for doing so well, even though it was a late night! Then comes Sunday...after church we had a most wonderful luncheon with family! Both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends! Well over a dozen people and so much fun!!! That afternoon we returned home and while I'm glad to be back in our own house...it was so nice to spend time with all those we don't see nearly as much as we would like to.

What an amazing week and I can't thank everyone enough for spending time with us, you made Madison so happy and created some great memories for Emily's first Christmas.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Christmas is here!

Christmas is here in our house and I love it! Decorations are up, presents are wrapped and goodies are being made in the kitchen! This is one of our favorite times of year and we can't wait to travel and see our family!

Rainy day painting!

Madison is officially hooked on painting with water colors! I've been saving this activity set for a rainy day and it came in handy this week as it has been raining NON-stop!!! For a mom and daughter who usually go outside three times a day, we are getting restless being stuck in the house! So painting has been a perfect activity to do while Emily is sleeping and it's just the two of us! For a two year old, Madison is incredibly careful not to make a mess! She takes her time and has done very well at trying to stay in the lines!



We have now painted 4 pictures this week! As you can see...she is really enjoying herself!


Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Early teether?



I believe that this little girl is starting to teeth. She chomps on her hand, my fingers, her pacifier and is drooling so much that I have to change her during the day because she just soaks herself! Yesterday I tried orajel after she had been screaming for 30 minutes and within minutes of applying the gel and giving her the pacifier, she was asleep!

Honestly, I am not ready for teething to begin...it's too soon!!! But at the same time, I would love to get it over with. I can't even imagine how painful it is for her and for me...well, it's just plain frusturating! I just pray we can both get through this in one piece!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Thanksgiving 08

Dinner turned out wonderful this year! I did all the cooking and wasn't even stressed because I was able to do most of the preparations the day before. We had 15 adults (counting Blain and I) and 3 kids. The house was packed. One couple brought some appetizers, another drinks and another brought Mac 'N Cheese. Nothing came out of the oven cold, undercooked or burned (yay)! And the turkey was BEAUTIFUL! My deviled eggs and brownies were a huge hit and that made me feel like I really accomplished this task of feeding all these Marines, Airmen and soilders! Thanks to everyone who came!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Busy day!!!

This whole week has been non-stop for me! The past two days I have been super cleaning our house: bedrooms, all downstairs, both bathrooms and of course kitchen! Today I am doing almost all the cooking! Currently, the second batch of potatoes are cooking, the eggs are boiled, and the turkey is thawing! By tonight, the mashed potatoes will be mashed and in the fridge, the green bean casserole will be mixed and in the fridge, the eggs will be peeled and the turkey will have all its insides taken out...by Blain of course! That way, tomorrow, all we have to do is put everything in the oven!!!
Go me!

Monday, November 24, 2008

My photo shoot with Madison

I love this little girl! She is funny and animated!
She has so many different expressions!
Kisses for Mommy!
It's so fun having a daughter who is not camera shy!
Madison has brought a whole new joy to my life that I can't explain! I am blessed and so lucky to have been given such a beautiful gift and I am curious to see what the future holds for her! Mommy loves you Madison!





Emily's first trip to the Aquarium!

We took Emily and Madison to the aquarium on the 15th and it was such a nice outing! Madison was running from here to there, wanting to look at every single fish and Emily was so well behaved and even followed some of the fish with her eyes! She is tracking so well now! It is so nice to get out of the house with both girls and just be a family! I am looking foward to many more outings with our girls!
Emily with Daddy looking at the BIG tuna fish and sharks!
My new favorite picture!!! Emily was so comfy in Daddy's arms!

Madison was in awe at the little sharks! (above)
And at the crabs! (below)



Thursday, November 13, 2008

"Fun is Contagious"

This video was sent to me by a Marine Mom and I just love it! Especially since we just had the ball and all the Marines were on the dance floor grooving to this song! Now, Madison asks to watch "the boys" and loves the way they dance! Enjoy!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

US Marine Corps Ball 2008

We had a wonderful time at this years Marine Corps Ball. My mom was an angel and came at 3 pm to begin babysitting. Blain and I were able to get ready without having to worry about the girls. 6 pm to 7 pm was cocktail hour and we spent that time mingling with other Marines. At 7 pm the ceremony began. It was beautiful. There were a few speakers, the ceremonial cutting of the cake and the passing of the cake from the oldest Marine to the youngest.
This is the table they had set up for those who are currently deployed and for all those who gave their lives serving in the Corps.
Following the ceremony, we had a delicious dinner. Blain had steak and I had chicken, both were served with salad, mashed potatoes, asparagus and bread. We had cake and then there was dancing! We stayed till about 10 pm and then headed home. It was a great night out...it is always fun to dress up and go out to a hall full of Marines!
Me feeling so pretty!
Thank you again Mom for driving out to watch the girls (and Jayson) it truly meant alot to all of us! (And I hope you're having fun on your cruise!)
Happy 233rd Birthday Marines! And Happy Veterans' Day!!!
Above: Blain and I
Below: Kim and Ben

Thursday, November 6, 2008

3 months old today!

Emily is 3 months old today. Where has the time gone? We are so blessed to have her in our lives, she is beautiful and just melts your heart when she smiles at you. She slept through the night for the first time last night (730 pm to 7 am)!!! Happy 3 months my baby girl!
Above: The day we brought her home.
Below: Emily at 3 months old!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Our Halloween...

This year we didn't do costumes and we didn't do Trick or Treating. However, both girls got pumpkin shirts, we had lunch with my grandparents, Madison and I made cookies, she went on an outing with her dad and we all passed out candy to other kids. While some of the costumes scared Madison, she was very helpful and put candy right into the kids' bags saying "Here, here boy!" And she waved bye to everyone as they left.
Our good friends Kim and Ben came over with their son Jayson. We had a great visit, ate good pizza and watched a movie. Thanks again guys!
Jayson and Emily

Our Halloween...cont.

She is so precious!
Beautiful smile!

I can't remember why she was laughing, but it made a great picture!
"Pumpkin Momma!"
Strike a pose!






Our girls on the front porch.

A great smile from Emily!
Such a pretty little girl.




Picking out a pumpkin

We met my mom at Casa De Fruta the weekend before Halloween so Madison could pick out a pumpkin.