Our Crazy (fun) Life: A really long attempt at catching up

Ok, I know I am the worst 'blogger' ever-but I'm kinda busy, so I have resigned to the fact that this will never be a huge priority and I will do it when I can. There, I feel less stressed already! So, here is a brief recap of December so far. (Since I will constantly be putting off getting caught up I thought I'd just start with the most recent). We began the month by seeing Santa and then a surprise visit with my brother Scott!

Here is a recap of our visit to see Santa, and although I haven't scanned the actual picture with Santa, this should give you a pretty good idea:

Maddie loved everything about the whole visit, and she jumped right up in Santa's lap, politely told him what she would like, then told him that "my little brother can't talk, so I'll tell you what he wants. He likes cars, maybe the movie cars, but I don't like that movie, but he does. He would like that movie". And (in true Maddie fashion) she didn't want to leave, she wanted to stay with him and help Santa all day.

Then there was Tanner, my sweet boy. He cried at everything throughout the whole visit! Train? cried. Other kids? cried. Taking pictures? cried. Santa? Oh man, he cried the cry where there is no breathing. Ya know? the face turning purple silent cry followed by the longest, loudest scream? Yah, that one. So, we ended up getting a lovely family picture with Santa. I still think that since I sat with Santa, maybe he'll leave me a little something under the tree.

Then we spent the day with my brother Scott. Although it was too short, we really enjoyed every minute. Maddie luvvvvved her Uncle Scott! (Tanner was still traumatized from the visit with Santa that morning and wouldn't let me put him down) She cried and cried when he had to leave and told me that she wanted to move to California. The next day, however, she shocked me with the sweetest revelation: she said: "Mommy, I really didn't want Uncle Scott to leave, but I learned something." me "What did you learn?" Maddie: "That when people come to visit, they have to leave, but I'm still glad we got to visit" I was so proud of her!

Although she was still sad, and talked about it for about a week afterwards-she did recover quickly. The night after we said goodbye to Uncle Scott we all had hot chocolate and finished putting the ornaments on the tree.

Ohhhh, it's the sweetest elf ever!

Maddie was great at hanging ornaments this year

Since Tanner has never had a turn, we decided it was his turn to hang the star this year. So, with (lots of) help from Daddy, Tanner put the finishing touch on our gorgeous tree!

Ok, now on to Maddie's 4th birthday party!
She had a Strawberry Shorcake party, and it was (if I do say so myself) one of the best birthday parties ever! Everyone there had a great time, and I know Maddie Grace felt extra-special.

The yummy cake! (Thanks to Mary!)

Why do we even get toys? Why not just keep balloons on hand? They both love them, hmmm there's an idea in there...

This was our first all-girl party, and the girls' all stuffed their own strawberry shortcake doll. This is when they were making a wish on their star, then they put it inside and the instructor came around and secured the backs of their dolls. They all loved their dolls so much, and it was sweet as they all closed their eyes, and made their wishes-just precious!

What a cutie! (by the way-I made her shirt! I saw one online for $40, and I thought that was ridiculous. So I went to JoAnn's, came home and made it for $12 total) I just put this pic to show off my skills.

AAAAahhhhhhh! So excited! She got a My Little Pony Amusement Park with mini ponies, and she loves it. I believe she said "I always wanted this!"

Maddie also loves her American Girl Baby, aptly named Baby Madeline. She recieved this Christmas dress for her Baby.

Tanner was so good throughout the party, even though he was the only little boy there. Here he is on the rocking horse, Nay-Nay. Why you ask? Well, duh! A horse says nay-nay.

He is just so stinking cute!