Maddie Says...

I wanted to document a couple of things that our little Maddie has said recently, because you know, "Kids say the darnedest things!"

First of all, the other day when I was trying to take a picture of Madison with the gingerbread house that she had made, she quickly told me "My face is tired."

A couple of days later, when her mom tried to get her to sit on Santa's lap, Madison replied, "I'm not sitting on his lap, his beard is dirty!" Oh my goodness--I guess a poor excuse is better than none, right?

A couple of days ago, Madison was touching the ornaments on their Christmas tree, when mom caught her, and asked her what she was doing. Maddie replied, "I'm playing with the "instruments!" (her word for ornaments).

We're sure going to miss these moments one of these days...

I hope you enjoy that photo of Madison in this post...it's rare to get one these days. She's posing with Minnie Mouse who happens to be holding "Buddy", the elf on the shelf. Every night "Buddy" travels to the North Pole to talk with Santa, then returns home, and rests in a different spot--in order to observe Madison's behavior the next day. "Buddy's" been creative with his observation spots this year--from Minnie Mouse's arm to the middle of the nativity set. Yesterday he was spotted on to of the curtain rod! He was also in Clint's camouflaged Christmas stocking one morning! That "Buddy"--he's a sly one!

Caden's First Two Years Of Life... at OneTrueMedia.com

Our little grandson, Caden, was born two years ago today. He's been such a joyful addition to our family.

This montage is a tribute and celebration of Caden's first two years of life.

Happy Birthday, little man! We love you very much.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Someone Celebrated A Birthday Today...

Yes, someone celebrated a birthday today...and his name is Caden! He will be two years old tomorrow. Family and friends gathered today for..."A Handy Manny Birthday Party"!

Caden was dressed in his #2 Handy Manny birthday shirt, his Handy Manny socks, and he even had a little yellow birthday hard hat, but I couldn't get him to wear it for me while I took his picture.

This was one of the few times that Caden actually broke out in a smile--when he opened this "Talking Salty" train. I think he loved it!

"MiMi" and "E-pa" gave him this giant Tonka dump truck--which he decided that he needed to ride in.

And his cousin, Landon, was happy to give him a push! Weeeee.....One funny moment was when Caden opened a gift of rain boots and a rain coat, and asked "Where's the toy?"

In the end, it took all three, Mama, Daddy, and Caden, to blow out that birthday candle! Happy birthday, little man!

By the end of the party, Caden was so tired that he layed down to play. He really liked this Thomas the Train set, too. Handy Manny and Thomas were definately the favorites at this little boy's birthday party.

I've finished Cade's video montage, and I'll post it tomorrow--in honor of his actual day of birth!

The Lighted Christmas Parade...

One of our annual Christmas traditions has always been to attend at least one Christmas Parade. We quickly discovered that we prefer the "magic" of an evening lighted parade.

For the second year in a row, we attended the Jesup Christmas Parade. In spite of temperatures dipping below freezing lately, the weather warmed up on Saturday, and it was actually quite pleasant.

Although we didn't actually plan it ahead of time, all of our family ended up at the parade. We managed to find each other, and the grand kids got to enjoy viewing the parade together, while we enjoyed watching the grandchildren watching the parade!

I took a few photographs, but they didn't turn out very good. It looks like it's raining or snowing in this one, but it wasn't doing either! I thought the photo has a magical look though.

This float always signifies the end of the parade. It's the same every year--with Santa and his reindeer on top. I found it interesting that Mrs. Claus was riding on a separate float! What's up with that?

We always enjoy our Christmas outings, and this year was no exception. I'm hoping to take in the light display at Guido Gardens one evening, and perhaps one other daytime Christmas Parade--in addition to attending a birthday party for a special little boy on Saturday! Busy times, but good times!

Someone's About To Turn Two...

I can't believe it's almost been two years since this little guy made his entrance into this world! I was hosting a Christmas lunch for my husband's co-workers at the hospital when the call came that he would be arriving that afternoon.

I left the food in the care of my husband, hopped in the car, and headed to the hospital to wait for the birth. Within a couple of hours, our little baby boy, Caden, had arrived!

I'm hard at work, making a little video montage for Caden. I can't believe how he's grown and changed over the past 24 months! So many memories...I'll share it with you when I get it finished!

Once again, pardon my blogging absence, as I prepare for a birthday--in addition to preparing for Christmas. It's a busy time!

Everything Old Is New Again...

The other evening our favorite curly haired little girl, Madison, and her family came over for a visit. It was at the end of another busy day of school and dance for Madison.

On this particular evening, she came over to watch an old Christmas classic tale with us. A show that we've viewed many times over the years with her mother, and our other children while they were growing up.

This year, the show was remastered in "HD", but everything else was the same. Sam the Snowman, the misfit toys, the elf who wanted to be a dentist, and of course, the reindeer with the shiny red nose! Have you figured out which show we watched?

If you guessed "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" you guessed correctly, and guess what? I still remember all of the songs by heart!

Turkeys...

I'm sorry that I have been MIA for a few days. I just found it impossible to keep up two blogs and take care of all of the Thanksgiving activities...I guess I'm getting old.

I couldn't let Thanksgiving pass without sharing these adorable turkeys that Madison and her mother made a few days ago.

Brandy always says she's not "crafty", but I don't agree. She used parts of a magnolia tree, and pine cones to make these adorable turkeys--an idea that she came up with on her own.

I wasn't home the day that the girls made their turkeys. When I returned home, I asked Madison what she had been doing. Madison told me that she'd been making turkeys with her mama. Then she said "But I don't know why we've been making turkeys!" Ha Ha Leave it to a child!

Another funny thing happened concerning Thanksgiving and the turkey. On Thanksgiving Day, Madison came into the kitchen just about the time my husband was going to carve the turkey. Keep in mind that she had been watching the commercial for Swanson's chicken broth on television--you know, the one where the turkey leaves the shopping cart and runs away from the "no name broth"...

Well, Madison took one look at that smoking turkey on the table, and asked "What is that?" When her mama told her it was the turkey, she looked disturbed. It took some coaxing to convince her that the turkey was NOT going to "get" her! Shame on those Swanson people and their commercial! Come to think of it, it was kind of spooky seeing that dead, raw turkey running around the grocery store!