Our First Snow!

So, we got our first snow of the season last week! It made everything SOOOO beautiful! The pine trees that line the back of the house were tipped with white snow and our wreath on the front door looked so pretty! It made me feel like it was really winter and that Christmas is really just around the corner!
Madison got all bundled up in her snowsuit and looked like the cutest little snow bunny ever! Look at that precious face.....
We took her outside to "play" in the snow. You could tell it was a new experience for her. She loved looking around and was studying everything intently. When her hands touched the snow, she winced and didn't really like it. Then I had the brilliant idea of putting her on her belly so she could move around in the snow, but she put her face right into it and then started screaming! We decided she better just "watch" the snow this year....
We asked our neighbor to take a photo of the 3 of us on our deck - it got a little too dark too quickly so you can't see the beautiful trees in the background. But, we tried!

Is it that time already?!!

Madison got up on all fours for the first time this weekend! Daddy even got her on video! She has always loved playing on her belly, but this was the first time she made it into the crawling position! I don't know if I'm ready for the crawling to begin! We don't even have baby gates yet! But, it won't be long....

She was rocking back and forth when she was up on her knees, but as soon as one of her arms went forward, she flopped down onto her belly.

Here was one last smiling pose before she got completely frustrated. She kept getting up on her knees and trying to move towards me, but just couldn't get it. After about five minutes of trying, she broke down into a hard wail as she reached her arms out for me. So cute!

Getting ready for Christmas

This weekend was a fun time of getting ready for Christmas! I can't believe it is almost here! We decorated our house and went to a local farm to pick out a Christmas tree. We first tried going to Home Depot to get a tree, but none of them looked very nice. I'm so glad we decided to go to Meadows Farm instead. We ended up picking the first tree we saw! It is so cute and perfectly shaped too! Madison had fun standing by the fire and touching the needles on the trees. Madison's 1st Christmas is off to a good start!

Mark & Karen's Wedding

Joseph's brother Mark got married on November 10th in beautiful Negril, Jamaica. We joined his entire family for a mini vacation to enjoy the wedding. We were there for 5 days while my parents watched Madison (they were in heaven!). The weather was beautiful, the food was delicious, and the beach was relaxing. Vacationing at an all-inclusive resort is really the way to go! And, it was a blast to have friends and family there to hang out with and dine with. The wedding was absolutely gorgeous - there is no better setting than in a gazebo on the beach! Congratulations Mark & K aren!

Madison's 1st Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving Day with the Sinclairs in Perryville. Madison had so much fun playing in the leaves and playing with her 3 cousins - Kate, Emma, and Brianna. It's amazing how she responds to other children. She smiles, giggles, and reaches her hands out for them. We enjoyed family and, of course, Scrabble! I actually won this year!

After dinner, we went to Grandmom & Granddad's to enjoy pie and celebrate Granddad's birthday! It was a busy day, but it was wonderful to see all of my family. It reminded me how grateful I am for my family and for the blessing that they are to Joseph and I.

Madison's 1st Halloween

October 31st was a fun night for us! We went to Covenant Life Church's Harvest Party. Madison dressed up like a flower and was the cutest little baby there! She had so much fun walking around and interacting with all the other little kids dressed up in costumes. She just loves people! We had fun posing her in front of the pumpkin display and snapping tons of photos.

Hiking at Sugarloaf Mountain

This past Sunday, we went hiking with the Apolenis' at Sugarloaf Mountain. What a fun time we had! Madison got the best view of all, as she got to ride in the baby Bjorn. Daddy had the hardest trek up the mountain because he was carrying her! Madison loved looking around at all the sights. And, every person that came up to her was greeted with a happy smile! We had beautiful weather and saw beautiful sights...