Merry Christmas - Part 2

We got together with the whole family on Christmas Day (minus Jenna and Andy, Tom and Kim and kids, and Phebe). It was great to be together, but we missed you guys!

Maddox entertained us at the piano.

He also wanted to try on my glasses - doesn't he look like a little scholar?

Matthew helped with the entertainment, too, showing off his amazing soccer skills!

Ted and Pat brought a HUGE teddy bear. The boys had fun snuggling up to it.

It was very difficult to get these two to sit still in the same place at the same time. Every time they got together, I would run for my camera, and by the time I got back, they were off to something else. Matthew took off up the stairs right after I snapped this one. He's fast!

Happy New Year, everyone!!

Merry Christmas - Part 1

Merry Christmas! We celebrated with the kids on the 22nd since Jenna and Andy left Saturday night for Pittsburgh to be with Andy's family. Needless to say, Maddox was once again the star attraction!

He had been sick for several weeks before Christmas, so he was sort of a little "glazed doughnut," as I call my 1st graders during the cold and flu season. We kept a box of Kleenex handy at all times!

The tree was loaded with presents, but Maddox was more interested in a little Santa and my coasters.

He got into it, though, when he opened the little kitty piano from Jenna and Andy.

He was great with the microphone - he'll be singing karaoke before we know it!

Of course, Chuck had to get into the act, too.

Next was a drum set from Uncle Kyle - a little small for Corey!

He knows just what to do with those drum sticks!

Jenna and Heidi got their annual set of new Victoria Secret pj's.

And Jenna and Andy had their annual photograph in front of the tree.

Maddox cooperated by taking a nap during dinner, but waking up is so tough!

Check out the socks - he can't pull them off when they come up above his knees!

Oh, sweet baby!

Maddox was looking pretty spiffy in his red pajamas - what a dude!

Jenna had to try on hers, too.

Still smiling at the end of the night!

Happy Birthday, Chuck!

Chuck celebrated his birthday in style on Friday night! We went out to eat at Ruth's Chris Steak House in downtown Minneapolis (his all-time favorite restaurant), and then stopped at Jenna and Andy's for cake and ice cream.

That doesn't look like quite enough candles on the cake!

If you look real close, you can see how many there should be.

Of course, Maddox is always the center of attention with any family gathering. He has been sick this week, but he rallied to entertain us all evening!

I think I can see where Maddox gets his chubby cheeks!

Thanks, Jenna and Andy, for hosting the birthday party!

Swimming Lessons

Baby swimming lessons! What a riot! I went to watch Corey and Maddox a few weeks ago as they practiced their scoopers and bubbles (Maddox, not Corey), and it was so cute! It was the first class of a new session, and Maddox was actually the veteran of the group.

It looks like Corey is listening to directions, but I'm not so sure about Maddox.

He really did well with the little floaties, and even kicked his feet to help propel himself.

Maddox seemed to like the floating platform the best.

1, 2, 3.....

Jump!!! "Catch me, Daddy!"

"That was soooo much fun! Let's do it again!"

I don't think Maddox will have any fear of the water. Better watch out this summer at the lake - he'll be jumping right out of the boat!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We spent Thanksgiving at Ted and Pat's this year. The whole family was there (about 22 of us), but the babies, Maddox and Matthew, were the center of attention. I never did get a picture of the two of them together, but Chuck got some great video.

Here's Maddox with Grandpa and one of the many balls from the toy box.

As usual, Ted Jr. carved the turkey. Just missing from this picture is the Roto-Rooter man under the sink. Yes, the plumbing got totally clogged from all the potato peels in the disposal, and gunk was backing up in the bathtub - gross! Fortunately, all was working in time for dinner, and in plenty of time to wash all the dishes.

After dinner, we took pictures of the three generations.

Here are the "babies"- they did a great job of posing when we gave Maddox and Matthew some balls and got them all to say "hot dog".

Here are the "middles" - Jenna used to be the baby of the whole family, but no more!

And here are the "oldies but goodies"- actually, this was the toughest group to photograph. We never did get everyone to look at the camera at the same time.

It was great to be together, and we are all so thankful for our wonderful family!

Another Birthday!

First birthdays are so much fun! Our grand-nephew Matthew, Ted and Angie's little guy, turned one last week, and we got to help him celebrate. I snapped a series of pictures of him with his birthday cake, and although it took him awhile, he finally got it up to his mouth!

"Hey, what's this, and what should I do with it?"

"Yeeeow. that feels weird!"

"Guess I'll try it in my mouth - everything else goes there!"

"Hmmmmm - not too bad, but why is everybody laughing at me?"

"Now back to the really good stuff - new toys!"
Happy Birthday, Matthew!

Happy Birthday, Phebe!

Our granddaughter, Phebe, will be 5 on November 14th. Wow! How time flies! We won't be able to help her celebrate on her day this year, but we have been with her on some of her birthdays. Here are some pictures to show her growing and changing:

Just born - not even 1 hour old. Look at those blue hands!

1 year old - "I have chubby cheeks and curls, just like Maddox!"

2 years old - "I can blow it out myself!"

3 years old - "I love my Princess Barbie and my pink crown!"

41/2 - "I'm growing up soooooo fast!"

Happy Birthday, Phebe!

Birthday Party

What could be more fun than a first birthday party?? Maddox had his celebration on Saturday. He slept through the appetizers and the main course, but he woke up in time for the presents and cake! For more pictures, check out Heidi and Corey's blog.

"Look at me - I'm one!"

How about those dude clothes??

"Oooh, that chocolate cake my Mommy made is really good!"

We had to take a few family pictures, too.

Maddox has always been fascinated by Chuck's mustache.

Maddox had about had it by the time we got to the grandparents picture.
None of us are squirming, though! What a fun day!

Happy Birthday, Maddox!

Today is Maddox's first birthday.

What a difference a year makes!

We love you, Maddox!

Happy Birthday!