Denver- Day 1

After we bundled up Madison, she ventured out in the snow for the first time. There was beautiful powder everywhere you looked!

Shoveling the driveway.

And then a face plant in the snow! She could hardly move with all the layers, and ended up covered in snow- she's not a fan of the cold we found out :)

Then Daddy decided to teach her how to stomp on the snow.

After the snow experience, we took a trip to downtown Denver. Uncle JJ (Jesse's brother) and Aunt Danielle had fun walking her around.

At The Wizard's Chest picking out a few games for the week.

Then we made a stop at Starbucks (which was covered in snow- too weird!)

My snow bunny

Strategy faces on- game time!

More snow play!

You couldn't tell where the street ended and the sidewalk began!

Snowball fights!

Maddie pulled an ice sickle off from the bottom of a car and started chewing on it! Becoming acclimated in one day :)

The creating of our snowman.

Our handsome snowman (I might add that Uncle Mike really rescued our poor attempts at making a snowman).

Our family

Danielle and JJ

Uncle Mike and Aunt Di were the most gracious hosts the whole week!

That night (Christmas Eve) Jesse and Danielle put out the luminarias.

A White Christmas

Merry Christmas to all! We just got back home from a wonderful white Christmas with family in Colorado. More pictures to come soon :)

CSUN's Tacky Christmas Sweater Party

The CSUN students decided to give our Christmas party a theme- tacky sweater night. We didn't have any tacky sweaters, so we just came dressed normal (boring, I know).

Now here are some good tacky sweaters (not everyone in this pic participated :)

Brianne had actual 3D people and presents hanging off of her sweater (I think she won).

Brooke was in a close second with those antlers! Unfortunately I didn't stay very long (I needed to put a little baby to sleep) and missed playing the games, singing carols, and listening to Jesse's Christmas message. We love these college kids!

Grandma and Grandpa's visit

Grandma and Grandpa just visited us all the way from beautiful Steamboat Springs, CO. We celebrated Christmas with them and my parents Friday night (who will be in AZ Christmas day). We enjoyed a big dinner, and opened some presents.

Grandpa enjoyed reading to Maddie.

Jesse and his mom eating cup cakes.

Maddie loved opening presents! She loves her play manger scene from Papa and Mimi.

Papa and Mimi (and Grandpa and Grandma) loved their Christmas gift from the grand kids- a calendar made on-line featuring our family!

Saturday we went to Porto's for lunch and hung out at the house since it was pouring! That night the grandparent's baby sat while Jesse and I went to a Christmas party.

After church on Sunday we went to Aroma Cafe- one of our favorite restaurants. Then had story time and naps :)

How cute!!

Grandma came to the park with us on Monday.

Aw...

Grandma and Grandpa were kind enough to baby sit again Monday night when we went to another Christmas party. I think Grandma kinda liked the job :). Here's Maddie's new favorite animals that Grandma and Grandpa gave her. She's hilarious making the elephant sound!

Thank you both for coming out. We miss you and love you!

Favorite Chair

Madison loves her new chair from Aunt Dottie, Papa, and Mimi. She has enjoyed reading, playing, and watching movies in it. Last night I found it covered in chocolate, yes, the new pink chair had chocolate all over it! She had climbed up on my desk, taken chocolate candies down, unwrapped them, and proceeded to make a mess eating them in her new seat (she was also full of chocolate, of course). You might be asking yourself, where were her parents? Well, we were talking in the living room with a couple Jesse will be marrying in a couple weeks. Hmmm....better keep a closer eye on this one!

(By the way, the chocolate came out in the wash :)

My Giggle Monster

Disneyland

Here's Madison's first look as we entered Main Street.

My mom, Maddie, and I went to Disneyland for my birthday on Thursday (since you go free on your big day).

Maddie loved the carousel!

Her eyes were fluttering as we flew around on the tea cups. It seemed like she enjoyed it!

It's A Small World redecorates just for Christmas. It was beautiful, but really sad that there was absolutely no mention of Jesus and His birth. The world misses why we rejoice this season.

Mads kept pointing at each new scene with such excitement.

Main Street and the tree.

In front of the castle.

Dumbo!

We went to Toon Town towards the end of the day. I think Madison had had it- she just laid on the ground! A bit tired.

That's my girl!

Watching the Christmas Parade.

Madison fell asleep during the parade and all of dinner. So, my mom and I enjoyed a quiet meal at Big Thunder Ranch BBQ.

Right before the fireworks show, Maddie woke up!

Brrrr....it was so cold!

Castle at night.

The next morning we walked around Downtown Disney.

This was certainly a fun way to celebrate my birthday! I'm so glad we were able to go. Thanks for joining us, Mom!

We did miss Jesse, but I had a wonderful dinner out with him the night before.