Christmas is Coming!

Madelyn is SO excited that Christmas is almost here!

She examines the ornaments very carefully then puts them back in new places on the tree!

Checking everything out . . .

She enjoyed playing in the oversized chair at the mall. We took her picture in it when she was only 6 months old, too. My how things have changed!

Getting comfortable during a busy day of shopping and seeing Santa!

Here she is taking a peek at Santa while waiting her turn. She chose not to sit on his lap this year. But she sure did like seeing him!

Well, this was as close as she would get to Santa. But we still considered it a victory since there were no tears and Mommy didn't have to pose with her this year!

Christmas Party

The girlfriends got together last weekend for a little Christmas party. They REALLY enjoyed decorating the gingerbread house!

Madelyn ate more candy than she put on the house!

A final touch with the knife . . . then all finished!

The friends exchanged gifts and got lots of neat new toys!

New Christmas Tree

Madelyn read a book while sitting on the tree box as Daddy assembled the new tree. What a patient girl!

Yummy Breadsticks

Madelyn thoroughly enjoyed eating breadsticks for the first time!

"They're so good that I need three!"

A Trip to Build-a-Bear

Grammy and Papaw treated Madelyn to a trip to Build-a-Bear to design her own stuffed animal. After much consideration, she decided that the yellow kitty was her favorite.

She picked out a heart for kitty then watched as the stuffing was put inside. Kitty also makes a "meowing" sound when her paw is pressed. Madelyn loves hearing it!

She named her special friend "Meow." She had so much fun!!

Happy Halloween!

Madelyn was a flower princess for Halloween this year. She LOVED her costume!!

"Let me in, please!"

Two cuties! Madelyn's friend Ava was a kitty cat and SO cute!

Three neighborhood friends trick-or-treating together. So sweet!

Here she is checking out the loot with Daddy. She was very excited to have a lollipop and M&Ms.

Madelyn's First 5K Run

Last Saturday Madelyn enjoyed her first 5K run with Mom and Dad. It was a cool 45 degrees when the race started at 8 a.m.

She was all bundled up for the fun morning.

Daddy and Madelyn made a good running pair!

With the finish line in sight, Madelyn got out of the stroller to run on her own.

This was her sprinting toward the finish line!!

"Great job, Madelyn!! We're so proud of you!"

This 5K was fun for the entire family!

The Pumpkin Patch

Madelyn had a great time visiting the pumpkin patch at the Dallas Arboretum last weekend!

Her favorite thing was playing in this large wooden pumpkin-shaped structure.

"I'm having SO much fun climbing on the pumpkins!!"

"Hello Mr. Scarecrow!"

Back in the pumpkin-shaped structure again and climbing, of course. Thank goodness Daddy was close by to help!

Since orange is her current favorite color, this big orange bush (shaped like a pumpkin) just had to be touched!

Fun with Grammy & Papaw

Madelyn loved gathering leaves from Grammy & Papaw's yard when we visited last weekend!

A special leaf for Grammy.

A leaf for Papaw, too!

She loved riding in the wagon with Katie, Uncle Matt & Aunt Nori's little puppy!

Some Weekend Fun

We visited the Dallas World Aquarium again last weekend, and Madelyn enjoyed it so much. Here she is looking at a very large turtle swimming overhead.

In the water tunnel she saw many sharks. This was her favorite part of the visit.

She pointed out a loud bird on the way inside.

We stopped at the new Victory Park area outside American Airlines Center so that she could see the fountains. The water shoots up for a minute then stops for just a second. She was amazed when the water disappeared!

Standing with Daddy next to the big fountains. She loves riding on his shoulders!

Hanging Around

Madelyn loves to hang from anything she can grab onto! Here she is on the playground at school in her favorite spot - preparing to hang from a bar before going down the slide. She climbs the steps over and over just to hang and swing.

Even at the Aquarium last weekend she found time to hang from a rail. Future gymnast, maybe??

1st Day of "School"

Madelyn will be attending "school" (mothers' day out) twice a week this year. She was excited to see her room and meet her teachers last week!

Her teachers are so sweet!

Today was the first day! She was excited to see the playground and many new "friends" when we got there.

"Let's go, time to get inside!!"

"My room is this way, Daddy!"

They nap at the end of the day. What a tired girl!!

At the end of the first day all was well. She was sleepy, but happy!