Christmas/ Anniversary/ Madi's 1st Birthday

We had a very exciting holiday season! I think it will always be that way though, with Christmas on the 25th, our wedding anniversary on the 26th, and Madi's birthday on the 30th. What were we thinking?! 

We started out December with some local fun. Madi sat on Santa's lap at our ward Christmas party and she didn't cry. This is quite the feat because lately she hasn't been too excited to be held by men, but I guess Santa was the exception :) Keizer has a light parade that goes down River Road and we were able to take Madi to watch all of the floats and marching bands. Minneapolis has something similar to this called the Hollidazzle Parade that Cody and I went to two years ago. We about froze in MN, so it was nice to not be so cold here (it was about 40 degrees outside). There is also a fun Christmas light route close to our house that we were able to drive through twice. It was fun to watch how mesmerized Madi was by the lights. My favorite holiday activity in the Salem area was the Live Nativity in West Salem. We walked around and saw shepherds,wise men, angels, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus; and Nigel the camel :) 

We flew to Utah and were able to spend our wild week of Christmas, anniversary, and birthday with my family. Madi was a pro at opening presents and loved pulling tissue paper out of bags. Madi also mastered climbing up and down stairs and wore herself out in the process. We would usually have her go up and down a few times before she went down for a nap, just to make sure she was really tired.

 We also went snowmobiling, sledding, met with lots of friends, and visited Temple Square.

The traditional gift for 6 year wedding anniversaries is candy. Independent of each other, Cody and I got each other the exact same present- personalized m&ms in blue, silver, and white. Great minds think alike! :) 

We had a party for Madi's birthday and invited friends and family to watch Madi eat her cake. Our plan was that she would smash it and make a huge mess, but Madi had other plans. At first she didn't want to touch her cake, but once she tasted it she was ready for more. She never got messy though, everything she touched went into her mouth and we could tell she liked it by the "mmmm" she gave after every bite. She was quite the ham opening her presents and "ooh"ed when she pulled things out.

We flew back from Utah on Jan.1 and Madi went to the doctor for her 1 year check up the next day. She is now 29 inches tall (35%) and weighs 20 lbs 14.5 oz (67%). We were also shocked to find a molar, she must have cut it while we were in Utah. She was so happy though that it didn't even cross my mind that she was teething. What  a big girl! 

It is so hard to believe that a year has passed since Madi was born. At times I thought we would never survive, but looking back I wouldn't give up this past year for anything. I love you Madi and am grateful to be your mom :)

 

Santa 

Light Parade

Getting tickled at the light parade

 Nigel the Camel

Flying to Utah (Madi has now been on a plane 8 times!)

 Katie's High School friends Christmas party

Angel in the Christmas Nativity

 Sledding on Christmas morning

 

Madi is a daredevil. Sledding was just ok for her, at times it wasn't exciting enough :)

 

 

 Christmas pjs

 Opening Christmas presents

 Madi sucked the color off some Christmas berries and made quite the mess!

 6th Year Anniversary with our matching gifts

 Gift from Katie on the left, gift from Cody on the right

 

 Together forever

 Snowmobiling

 Christmas outfits

 Birthday Girl

 The cupcake cake that Madi ate

 Ooh!

 Mmmmm

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November

44-47 Weeks Old

Madi continues to become more and more mobile. She now walks along the couch and uses the walls to support herself as she walks from room to room. She is opening cupboards, sticking her hands into the toilet and pulling the toilet paper off the roll and out into the hall (my back was only turned for a minute!).

My mom came to visit and we had a fun but quick weekend together. We ventured to the coast where we tried our hand at crabbing (we weren't able to keep any, they were too small), stopped by Tillamook for cheese and ice cream, and swung by Pacific Seafood Company for the best clam chowder we have found in Oregon. We also played at the park, got brunch at Word of Mouth, and chased Madi around the house.

Madi constantly jabbers and now says "Hey" and "Yeth" ("Yes"). It is funny when we ask her questions and she responds "Yeth", she is turning into a little girl! Not a baby anymore :(

We were able to fly to Wyoming for Thanksgiving to spend the holiday with Cody's parents. Madi was thoroughly entertained by the dogs and enjoyed being dressed up like a cowgirl. Cody celebrated his birthday while we were there and he was able to go duck hunting. He has been talking about going for years now, so he made the most of it and went several mornings. 

Madi and I went hunting with Cody at dusk one day and Madi fell asleep when we got to the blind. I told Cody to go ahead and shoot if he saw a duck since we were there to hunt. Cody saw ducks and shot 3 times while we were out there and Madi slept the entire time!

While we were in Wyoming, Cody's parents watched Madi while Cody and I went on a date. They had a huge box of chocolates that was sitting on a table where Madi could reach them. Being her mother's daughter, Madi loves chocolate and was able to find a way to sneak her hand into the box, grab a chocolate, and stuff it in her mouth all before Pa and Nana saw her. A girl after my own heart :) Little does she know, she already has it :)

 

Crabbing on the coast

 

Too small, had to throw him back

We didn't want to come home empty handed, so we bought a crab :)

Madi and Grandma

 

I wonder who is having more fun :)

Brunch at Word of Mouth- the french toast and flying biscuit were delicious! 

Duck hunting in Wyoming

Our sleepy hunting girl

 Cowgirl Madi

William Cody visits the Buffalo Bill Museum

 Madi enjoyed the exhibits behind glass

 Nana and Pa

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Madi loves dogs...

 ...and onions

 

Happy Birthday Dad!

·       11 Months Old!