This was the first year that Madeleine really looked forward to Christmas and enjoyed opening her gifts.  She especially liked opening her advent calendar every evening after dinner and playing with her nativity set.  We spent Christmas Eve with Katie’s family including her Grandma who was visiting from Hawaii and then saw Ben’s family on Christmas day.  Madeleine was thoroughly spoiled by everyone and is now worn out from playing with all her new toys including a little piano, a tent, a ballet tutu and leotard and a dollhouse.  We’re excited to see what the New Year holds for our family and to look forward to watching Madeleine continue to grow and learn!

Madeleine, katie and Ben on Christmas Eve

Madeleine has recently started loving to draw. One day she would draw scribbles on pieces of paper and I (Ben) would put eyes and legs on them to make monsters and she loved it. Shortly after that she created these two masterpieces:

After drawing this she proclaimed “goldfish!”

And this one she called “a man with a tail.”

We haven’t been posting very much lately because there just hasn’t been much going on in our lives since we got back from Hawaii in June.  This week, however, has been a flurry of activity in celebration of Madeleine’s second birthday.  She has been feted and showered with gifts all week long by her generous relatives culminating in a small second birthday bash on her actual birthday.  Also, we gave her a play kitchen in the hope of encouraging our budding chef. :) Here are some pictures from her birthday and her party.  We love you, Maddy and wish you many blessings and much joy in your second year.  We can’t wait to see what comes next!

Playing with her new toy kitchen from mommy and daddy, her birthday morning surprise

She loves her new kitchen

Happy after opening the pots and pans to go with her new kitchen

Lanterns hanging on the back patio for Maddy's birthday party

Wearing her party dress and hat

Ready to blow out the candles

Opening presents with the help of her cousin Mimi

Showing off all her wonderful birthday presents!