Playing Dress Up

Wintertime Fun

Playing in the season's first good snow




... And slurping up some warm hot cocoa afterwards...


Enjoying a Birthday Indoor Swim Party

Happy New Year from Happy Valley: 2011

This year, we rang in the new year with Maddy at Penn State's "First Night" celebration.
Maddy had a blast visiting the kid's museum, seeing all the ice sculptures, and singing carols as loud as her little voice could soar... It all concluded with a much-needed pit-stop for a slice of hot pizza and a warm-up before heading home.

We didn't stay up long enough to see the ball drop, but that's OK. We wanted to start the new year with a good night's sleep.

Here's hoping this is everyone's happiest, healthiest year yet!

Merry Christmas 2011!

It was another whirlwind holiday season, but each one seems to become more magical with Madelyn. All through December, Maddy loved dancing to carols ("Rudolph" and "Jingle Bells" were her favorites) and watching holiday shows (she practically memorized "Frosty"!).

The week before Christmas, we made our annual holiday trek to Buffalo. Maddy loved visiting with her Poppy, Mow-mow, aunts, uncles and cousins. She was also spoiled with lots of cool presents... a toddler big wheel, dancing Elmo, Fijit toy, car racing ramp, and lots of clothes/books/DVDs. Just when we were ready to head out, Ann got a nasty stomach flu. It kept her in bed for two days but earned Maddy some extra "hang out" time with her Buffalo family.

We made it home just in the "Nick" of time on Friday. The very next day, Grandma and Pappy were here for Christmas Eve! Maddy was all excited to see them and knew that "Santa was coming tonight". Sure enough, Christmas morning brought tons more presents under the tree. Maddy loved all the special attention and playing with even more new toys--cool puzzles and blocks, a new Tinker Bell bed set, loads of princess/Sesame Street trinkets, and more!

Here are a few favorite memories from this holiday season...

Maddy loved our tree. Every time we turned it on she counted, "One, two, threeeeee!"


Visit with "newlywed" friends Laura, Jeremey & Daisy Girl


Coloring with cousin Trent at "Mow-Mow's" kitchen in Buffalo


Lounging & laughing in Poppy's room with Jack


Unwrapping all her presents -- all by herself this year!


Hanging around with her cousins Brenden and Jack


Her precious surprise at this year's tree... all these presents for me?!


"Helping" Poppy put together her new Tinkerbell bookshelf


Her absolute favorite this year -- LuLu the "Fur-Real" kitty


Being Grandma & Pappy's girl/Cookie Monster


Loving on those gentle giants, our Saint Bernards Gordon & Bella

Happy Thanksgiving 2011!

Here Come Santa Claus...

Last weekend Maddy got all dressed up to welcome Santa Claus to Mount Nittany Mall! She loved seeing Santa along with some ballerinas, little girl angels, a fun magician and -- her personal favorite -- the nutcracker mouse king!

Here are some pics of her all dolled up just for Santa...

Sweet Trick or Treat!

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This year was Maddy's FIRST year of real trick or treating! She got to go around the neighborhood with her Daddy and her friends Hunter (Elmo) and Amani (Cookie). Maddy picked up trick or treat pretty quickly. She politely took just one candy from each person -- though, it took her a while to understand she didn't exactly have an open invitation to run into everyone's house!

Mommy also got to take Maddy on a special "Trunk or Treat" at a local church. Our across-the-street neighbors (and Maddy admirers) invited us over. It was a blast going from trunk to trunk for goodies. And, a great way to practice for Halloween!