JKLM: 2011

We kicked off the Christmas season in Kansas right after Thanksgiving. We were so happy that we were able to visit Great Mama and Papa, Aunt Lindy, Uncle Carl...and Pocky and Uncle Chris were there too! About a week after we got back from Kansas Maddie Kate got sick so our plans changed a bit and if it weren't for some very helpful elves I would have never gotten all my shopping done! Thank you Aunt Meredith and Mimi! I had literally made out my list of gifts to finish buying and things to complete for Christmas the very day miss MK went in to the hospital. You know what they say about life...it's what happens while we're busy making plans! We were just so thankful that Maddie Kate got better and that we were home in plenty of time for Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve with Nana, Papa and the Hankins. We had a fantastic Christmas Eve dinner and then we all went to Christmas Eve mass. Our family takes up nearly an entire pew these days! Luckily we went to the "children's mass" so we were all able to sit together and not have to go to the cry room. Landon was worn out from a fun day of playing and actually slept through most of it...that's actually the real reason we were able to avoid the cry room. I'm sure of it! Ha! On Christmas morning we woke up to see what Santa brought and then we headed back to Nana and Papa's to open presents there! When we got home Mimi, Papa, Aunt Judy and Uncle Chris were at our house and we got to open MORE presents! Talk about lucky! We had a wonderful first Christmas as a family of 4 and we feel very blessed to have such wonderful family and friends to spend it with.

Great Mama and Papa's tree is decorated with pictures of me, Uncle Chris, Landon and MK!

Anxiously awaiting present time!

All of the stockings Mama has made...this year with Maddie Kate's!

First present...Christmas PJs!

MK got new pjs too! Landon is so sweet to his baby sister!

Showing off her timmy time skills!

Elmo reindeer!

This year's family picture in Kansas!

Sweet Great Mama and Maddie Kate

Ornery buddies!

Great Mama and Papa with their favorite great grandkids!

Back home we cut out and decorated cookies!

Landon thought this was so much fun!

Yummy!

One night we took the kiddos to look at Christmas lights. Before we left Daddy read Christmas in the Manger to Landon.

Maddie Kate got dressed up to go look at the lights!

This mommy sure does love her kiddos! We had so much fun looking at lights! Landon thought it was "so cool" and we even got hot chocolate while we were out. Of course he didn't drink his...the kid just likes white milk. Silly boy!

Jesus is in the manger! It's Christmas Eve!

The stocking were hung!

We left cookies for Santa!

Landon asked for a Spiderman!

Maddie Kate didn't ask for much so Santa had to surprise her!

Santa left Landon and MK a note! Wow!!!

Check out the adorable bed head! Landon got Spiderman pjs on Christmas Eve!

Landon was so excited that he tried to pick up several presents at once!

Santa even had Spiderman wrapping paper!

What's this? A slinky!?

Opening presents is fun!

What's in my stocking?!

Whoppers! "I must eat them all gone!"

Christmas morning is awesome!

Landon got a harmonica from Santa! Dada helped him learn to play!

He got the hang of it in no time...notice the pjs are missing...yep, he peed em.

Maddie Kate needed some help opening her presents.

She was really excited...as you can see.

She opened her eyes...just barely...when big brother opened her new Sophie!

Uncle Chris and Landon passed out presents!

Wow! More presents!?

Buzz Lightyear!!!!!!!!!!! "Ohmydoodness!"

Maddie Kate got this cute bib from our neighbors. Her Nana got her a cute bib too but I forgot to take my camera to Nana and Papa's. Papa got some fun pictures so I'll have to update this post when I get copies of them.