2008 Christmas Pictures

We can't believe that the Holiday season is already upon us. We decided to go back to Sears and have Christmas pictures taken. Madelyn is already talking about Santa. This is going to be a fun Christmas!!

Madelyn and Papa

Grandma and Papa Freidenberger came to visit for a weekend. While they were here Mommy and Daddy weren't good enough, Grandma and Papa were the only ones that could take Madelyn to go potty, hold her and put her to bed. She took a nap and woke up all upset and wanted Mommy (but Grandma and Mommy were at the quilt store) but then wanted to rock with Papa. They both ended up taking a little nap together.

Halloween 2008

Madelyn made the cutest little pumpkin for Halloween. She loved getting candy! Madelyn was checking out sweet little Avenly. When asked if she wanted a little baby at our house she says "yes."

Playing inside the bump-and-jump

We went to our church for Halloween and Madelyn got to play games to win candy.

Michael and Madelyn painted Mommy's belly to look like a Jack-O-Lantern.

Getting ready to carve our pumpkins.

Madelyn wasn't too sure about sticking her hand inside the pumpkin to get out the seeds. She would only go wrist deep.

Our two Jack-O-Lanterns. Madelyn picked out the eyes, nose and mouth for Mommy to carve and Daddy got very creative and did Mickey Mouse.

Potty training

We didn't want two in diapers and Melinda's goal was to get Madelyn potty trained by 2, so we researched and found a three day potty training program. Madelyn had it down by the end of the second day. She even stays dry at night! We skipped all training pants and pull-ups and just wear big girl panties 24-7. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of her!

About the only downfall of being potty trained is that half of Madelyn's pants won't stay up. She has a serious case of plumber butt! She can literally walk right out of her pants!

To keep from going stir crazy by being in the house for a solid three days we came up with some different activities. This day (day #2) we baked Halloween cookies. Madelyn gets very excited every time the mixer comes out because she knows that she gets to lick the beater.

Hanging out in her big girl panties. The first day we went through 17 pairs of panties, 8 on the second day, and only 3 on the third day!

Avon

Since it is "off season" up in the Avon/Vail area, we decided to get away for a night. We stayed at the brand new Westin in Avon. It was a very nice hotel and had only been open for two weeks. We decided that this was probably the nicest place we've ever stayed. We rented a two bedroom unit and it was very nice. We even got upgraded and ended up with the biggest balcony the place had to offer. We wished we would have been able to stay more than one night. We also had the chance to eat dinner at a restaurant that is one of the top rated places in Vail.

Daddy and Madelyn checking out the river just behind the hotel Madelyn playing in the tepee at the kids club inside the Westin.

The view from our balcony was beautiful! There was even a little snow on the top of the mountain.

Madelyn showing us how big the room was

Just because you're on vacation doesn't mean you can't get put in time-out

A view of the lap pool, the three hot tubs, and the river (taken from our balcony)

Our balcony was huge!! We could have had a big party!!

There was plenty of glassware in the well stocked kitchen for a party

The living room

Pumpkin Patch

Madelyn loved pumpkins this year and was very excited to go to the pumpkin patch and pick out a couple of pumpkins.

Looking cute and posing for a picture next to a decoration Sitting on one pumpkin and leaning against another

Taking a wagon ride with one of the pumpkins we picked out

Madelyn's first trip to Ohio

We went to Ohio October 9-13 for Madelyn's first trip back to where Daddy was raised. This was also Madelyn's first time to meet Grandpa Marks.

The weather was beautiful the entire time and the leaves were gorgeous! Grandma and Grandpa Marks with Madelyn Madelyn and Daddy walking with Uncle Sonny to check out the creek at Great Grandfather Brown's property (where Daddy played when he was a little boy)

Madelyn walking with Daddy across the field at Great Grandfather's.

Three cousins: Abby, Madelyn and Jacob

Uncle Tony, Aunt Missy, Jacob, Abby, Michael, Madelyn, and Melinda

Great Uncle Floyd, Great Aunt Joann, Melinda, Madelyn, Michael, Grandpa Marks and Grandma Marks

Madelyn often sleeps with her baby over her head but we loved how Madelyn had a new face

Madelyn riding her new tricycle that Grandpa and Grandma Marks had for her

Madelyn liked playing with Grandpa Marks' poker game. As she played with it she would say "winning, winning"