Christmas Eve

Madeline had lots of fun playing with her letters with Uncle Will. They were actually experimenting with the properties of magnets. Where will the letters stick?? On the cabinets? On the oven?
A heartfelt gift... a broom and dustpan.
Madeline gives Grandma and Grandpa her picture. "Hey, I know that little girl!"
This is the one day of the year that Greta gets a gift too. Aunt Marie always comes through for her. Greta is no longer the center of attention, and this year she has had a hard time adjusting to that fact.

Mid-December

We took this picture for my mom to include in her Christmas cards. Amazingly, we only took three pictures. This was #2.
On the other hand, this is our Christmas card picture. #38 of at least 75.

These didn't make the card, but are cute anyway!

A Trip to See Santa

A few weeks ago we went to see Santa downtown Naperville. Madeline's not too sure about this guy...

A Tale of Three Birthday Parties

Happy Birthday Madeline!!
On her birthday (11-13) we celebrated with our next-door neighbors with cake and ice cream.
This was Madeline's first taste of dessert... and it was a hit! Chocolate cake and ice cream sure were yummy!
Madeline's good buddy Cooper and his dad, Dave, came to watch her enjoy her cake. He's still too little to have some of his own!
Since she turned 1 this year, she could invite 1 friend to her party. Here's Cooper with his mom, Liza.
On Saturday (11/15) we celebrated with the Schmitt side. She's getting pretty good at opening gifts.

A set of musical instruments provided the evening's entertainment.
She wishes that Aunt Laura would have given her a cell phone for her birthday.
On Sunday (11/16) we celebrated with the Hay side.
She got a ball pit from the Duncans, and here Uncle Phil and Grandpa are blowing it up for her.
Hooray! More gifts!

Snuggle time with Dad and Curious George.

Happy Halloween!

It was such a beautiful night! We had fun seeing the kids all dressed up, and visiting with our good neighbors. As you can see, Madeline can stand on her own, but hasn't started taking too many steps yet.

The little duck costume was quite a hit! She didn't mind it, so we wore it six different times this week. Too bad she'll be be too big for it next year. Maybe we'll pull it out again on Easter! ;)

Uncle Mark stopped by to see Madeline all dressed up!
Madeline and Dad
... and Aunt Laura and Uncle Hunter stopped by too!
Before trick-or-treating we visited Grandma at school.

Trick or Treating at Grandma & Grandpa Hay's

On Halloween Eve we did our first trick-or-treating in Villa Park.

Madeline scored some tasty Goldfish crackers, and Dad got a chocolate bar.






Then we went over to Great-Grandpa and Grandma Luzinski's...
... where Madeline got a pumpkin that was just her size!

Halloween Party

Our playgroup had a Halloween Party on Wednesday. The kids had a great time, and the costumes were too cute!
Madeline with some buddies