16 on the 16th

In an effort to update my blog at least once per month, I am starting something new. It's called 16 on the 16th. I am going to tell you 16 things going on in our family on the 16th of every month:

1. Madelyn lost a tooth last night. She was visited by the tooth fairy, who left her one dollar and three chapsticks.

2. I am planning a trip for our family to go to Disneyworld this September. I am very excited, and I am having a great time researching all things Disney.

3. Michael typically picks up the living room and does the dishes faithfully every night. Tonight he let it all go and sat in the chair and watched TV. I am proud of him for taking care of himself.

4. I did not do the dishes, but I did pick up the living room and do a load of laundry.

5. Cassidy likes the new brown summer sandals I bought her. She wore them with her pajamas most of the evening.

6. Madelyn is going to the dentist tomorrow. She has a loose front tooth, but the new tooth is growing in behind the baby tooth. The baby tooth is not loose enough to pull yet, but we'll see what the dentist decides.

7. Cassidy's favorite diaper is the cookie monster one. When you change her diaper, she says, "Don't say yuck."

8. Madelyn and I went shopping at Children's Place for new summer clothing.

9. Madelyn is getting even more picky about her clothing than she has ever been. And, she is between sizes so nothing seems to fit right.

10. Michael has a very organized closet.

11. Michael and I both ate a bowl of ice cream at about 10:00pm.

12. I am sore from working out last night. I made a commitment to myself to work out for 30 minutes 5 days per week. Today I skipped and ate the ice cream hoping it would make my muscles less sore.

13. Madelyn is learning to brush her own hair and actually get the tangles out.

14. Cassidy's favorite TV shows are Yo Gabba Gabba and Team Umi Zumi.

15. I watched TTU men play in the NIT first round against Seton Hall tonight. TTU men won by 15 points. Go Red Raiders.

16. I picked out outfits for our annual family picture. The theme this year is yellow and blue.

SNOW

We have had so much snow this winter. I do not ever remember it snowing this much. We had a REALLY white Christmas this year with some of the snow staying on the ground for two weeks. Neither of the girls enjoys playing in the snow alot, but they did manage to get out in it some. We were never successful at building a snowman. Each time we tried, the snow was too dry and would not stick together. You can tell that Madelyn likes the snow more than Cassidy.

Cassidy took a few steps in the snow, but once she fell down she started to cry. After that, she just looked at the snow out the windows.

I am going to have to admit. I am tired of the snow. Snowy days are not my favorite season.

Christmas 2009

We had a great deal of fun this year. We did so many great things during the holiday season. Our church had the first annual Christmas carnival, and it was a blast. There was food, puppet shows, an interactive manger scene, and inflatables. Then we headed outside to watch the Miracles on 34th Street Christmas parade.

Another fun thing we did was take Madelyn to Santa Land. Her favorite part is always the huge nativity scene. She absolutely loves nativity scenes of all sizes. Unfortunately, Cassidy was sick and could not go with us.

Every year, a friend of Madelyn's Nana invites friends over to make gingerbread houses. This is the house that Madelyn and her Nana made this year. It is a really fun tradition for both of them.

We trimmed the tree and put out decorations. The girls got a new pink tree for all of their ornaments.

Madelyn sang in the pre-school choir at church. They sang Away In a Manger. The trio of girls was so precious and angelic.

Of course the real fun begins on Christmas Eve. We put out cookies for Santa and lettuce for the reindeer, and waited patiently.

And....SANTA CAME.

Madelyn got the Wizard of Oz Barbies and the Barbie guitar she wanted. Cassidy got a large remote control dinosaur (din-a-saun as she pronounces it).

Due to the differences in ages of the girls, it seems that this post is all about Madelyn's Christmas and activities. Here are some pictures of Cassidy celebrating the season as well.

Above all we remember that Christmas is the time of year that we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love the fact that Madelyn recognizes this and has a love for all things related to manger scenes, nativity, and the birth of Jesus.

There are so many reasons why Christmas is my favorite season.

Okay...so we all now know that I am not the most devoted Blogger. I have many excuses: no time, nothing exciting to write about, etc. But, I am going to try to be more devoted. I know that it is now March, but I am going to start going back in time a few months to try to catch up on what we have been doing.