oh where oh where did my clean house go

Everyday we begin with spotless floors and everyday this is what it looks like by about 7:30 AM, crazy hair girl and all.

christmas part III

Are you tired of the Christmas pictures yet.  I know, I know.  Condense, Condense.  But there are too many great memories and photographs not to share with all of my friends and family.  I really could not choose.  Most of you viewing this are my family and encourage lots of pictures so for all my friends, you can skip this Christmas one but you will be missing out.  haha!

The last but not least Christmas celebration came on December 25th.  Santa came to visit and filled Aunt Kari and Uncle Matt's tree to the brim.  There were no less than a hundred presents.  As you can imagine, this was like a three hour deal.  I did enjoy spreading the time out because it always seems to go by so fast.  The nephews had a blast and Madison enjoyed watching everyone tearing their presents apart.  Poor girl was still fighting a cold so she wasn't quite as interested in opening the presents herself.

Here were a few of the great moments spent with wonderful family.

The new red wagon from Grandma and Grandpa.  Madison spending some time with her cousin, Lucas.

The Mommies with the kids (minus Lucas)

Stewart family photo.  Can you believe we got a picture with everyone smiling, looking and not crying?!?!  I was impressed.

The Grandparents with all the Grandkids.  Great picture!

Loving on Grandma

Madison was just so tired but never wanted to sleep.  Finally with some nice walking and coaxing, Grandma got her to sleep.

Back to digging into the presents

Good job Lucas opening that cookie monster.  Can I have him now?

I love this picture.  She wanted to play with the toy Lucas took from her.  What a face

This tissue paper is great

Everyone viewing the cool Hurley shirt Madison got

Mommy and Madison celebrating her first Christmas!

deer fight

Christmas morning in Matt and Kari's backyard.  The nephews loved watching and were even cheering them on at times.  Ben got a new lense from my parents and I which came in handy for some great shots.

P.S. Dad this one is for you!

christmas part II

We got into Rapid City on Friday morning around 1:30.  The trip was very long, with ice, snow and wind to make the 7.5 hour drive to be 10.5 hours.  We made it safely to Hermosa, SD to visit the Benson side of our family.

My parents had Madison sleeping upstairs with them so Ben and I enjoyed sleeping in.  Can I just say, aaahhh!  Sleeping in felt good.  Is it possible to just forget what that is like?!?!

Saturday, Christmas Eve, we had all our festivities.  Madison was the first to dig into the presents and wow, did she get a great big one.  A full kitchenette set (blog to soon follow on that) with a set of pots and pans.  She was also spoiled with puzzles, star light up toy, a singing octopus and even a "touch" book with all different textures.  What a lucky little lady!  Of course we all go presents but the focus was on Madison and we don't have any of those pictures.  To top off a great day we had a wonderful turkey and lefsa meal.  Christmas wouldn't be the same without the lefsa!

Christmas is such a great way to celebrate our Savior and be grateful for a wonderful family the Lord has blessed us with.

Taking a walk with Aunt Keila

Grandma

Grandpa

I did so good opening presents, huh Grandma?

Enjoying the views

Making a mess out of Grandma's cabinets

I love my family!

Turkey cut....Check!
Table set....Check!

Digging in

This was the large kitchen

Madison really loves these wooden puzzles.  The Blue Dinosaur must taste really good because he is in her mouth more than on the board.

owie

December 30th was a rough day for a little lady named Madison.

1.  She still had a cold from Dec 17th so we went into the doctor, got antibiotics and got her flu shot booster.  OWIE!

2.  She was playing in between Mommy's legs while I was washing dishes and fell,  scraping her face on the cabinet as she slid down.  OWIE!

3.  She flung herself forward while being held by Mommy and hit her cheek bone on the side table.  OWIE!

4.  She is teething. OWIE!

5.  She puked three nights in a row beginning that night.  YUCKIE!

Poor girl got through it though and the antibiotics have kicked in.  Thank goodness.

Here is the damage  :(

You can see the bruise on her right cheek bone as well.

i can't even hear you daddy

Ben uses these to protect his ears when he is drilling or welding. 

Madison is using them to not listen to her parents.

tri-christmas celebration "part 1"

Christmas has always been a favorite holiday of mine.  I love picking out the perfect gift and being able to see the reaction on the recipients face.  This year we had multiple celebrations, each one special.  Because I have an abundance of pictures (imagine that) I have decided to break it up into three parts.

Today will be Part 1.  Madison, Ben and I had a family Christmas on December 22nd, only a day before we were leaving.  My intentions were good, bake a small ham with a few sides.  Madison believed that the plans needed switching since she did not get a good afternoon nap in.

Earlier that day....

I was excited all day.  Madison was going to love her presents, smile perfect for the camera, sit and have a nice dinner and all would be merry.  Um, this is what happened instead.

4:00 pm ~ Madison begins screaming.  Won't sleep.  Won't drink.  Still sick.  Teething.

4:30 pm ~ Mommy feeds her in a desperate attempt to help the situation.

5:00 pm ~ Daddy comes home.  Madison has already ate the Ravioli.  Ben is hungry now since he had not ate all day.  We throw the ham in the microwave.

5:15 pm ~ Eat and open presents.  Mommy is upset because Madison just wants to be held.  I just want some really good pictures and for her to enjoy all her wonderful gifts from an "early" Santa.

5:30 pm ~ Family photo attempted before all H*LL breaks loose.

6:00 pm ~ Early bath

6:30 pm ~ Early bedtime

No dinner.  Minimal non crying time.  Okay pictures.

No matter what though having these amazing memories add to the colorfulness of life!

Pushing my presents around the house

Thank you Great Grandma Benson.  I loved hearing you read to me!

Thank you Great Grandma and Grandpa Schoenenberger for my book.  Yee-Haw makes me laugh every time

Cuddle time with Daddy.  Madison was a very tired girl.

My elephant pops balls in the air.  This toy actually made her SCREAM.  A tired girl + loud "vacuum like" sound = a melt down.

My stocking stuffer

My first baby doll named Brianna

This was the scene most of the evening

Mommy helping Madison open her presents

Sophie the Giraffe.  A favorite!

A wonderful and memorable first Christmas