The Party Continues...Part III

 I had lunch with my dear friend, Kate.  It was fun to have her meet Madelyn and chat for hours, catching up.

 On New Year Eve, we had a double party as we celebrated Mom and Dad's birthday a little early in addition to ringing in the new year.  We had fireworks at 8pm.

 Then we celebrated my parents' birthday.  It is so nice to have them back from their mission and get to be with them.

 At midnight, we banged pots and pans

and shot off more fireworks!  What a party!

Todd and Dayton had some energetic matches against each other.

The Party Continues...Part II

 Sunday morning, we attended the Anderson ward.  What a treat to visit with so many people!  

Afterwards, we gathered the family together for pictures.

 Six of nine siblings together

 All the family gathered together

 Mom and Sisters---We all pitched in to help Mom re-organize her closet, after the moving/mission.  It was so fun to have a project to work on together. 

 I think Todd's favorite part of the vacation was spending all day with his little Madelyn.  He carried her around and cared for her every second of the day.

 

 I think Maddie loved all the time with her Daddy too.

 Everyone gathered around in groups for games and projects.

 By Sunday evening, the nephews still had lots of energy so Todd was the awesome uncle and wrestled with them.  I can't believe it, but he took all four of them down at the same time.

They were worn out after Todd was declared the victor!

The Party Continues...Part I

 During our visit in SC, we had a family basketball game. 

 Todd had an impressive amount of points, and even though I had only one basket, it was the game winning shot. 

 

Then the guys moved onto the field and started a soccer game.

 The nieces performed several fashion shows.

 They were so good, that they always had a great crowd cheering for them.

Maddie Jane got to meet her Aunt Rebecca for the first time and loved to snuggle with her.

England Day

 My Dad and Mom wanted to share some of their mission experience with the family.  So, we had three English meals-Yorkshire pudding, Posh, fish and chips, etc.  

 We flew lots of British flags.

 

 We had a parade as well as played Pass the Parcel.  They shared with us some of their touching stories of the remarkable people they came to know, help, and love.  Each one of the children received a piece of china made in England.  Madelyn got a stuffed little lamb, named "Barrrrrbara".

 

Also on that day, Jennifer and Kelly came over to visit.  It was a real treat to catch-up with these great friends.

Birthday

 We fly to SC on my birthday.  It was quite the day---very long and unforgettable.  It started at 4am to feed Madelyn, 5am took a shower and packed up, 6am headed to the airport.  Unfortunately, we missed our connecting flight in Chicago and thought we would be stuck there for long hours.  Thankfully, we got onto an earlier flight due to standby and arrived to the house at 10pm, just long enough to bathe Maddie, have dinner, and eat some cake, before the birthday was officially over. 

 

Christmas Time Memories

 Christmas was a delightful time.  We enjoyed party after party, visiting and eating.  It was wonderful!  We re-enacting the Nativity, as Maddie played the baby.

 Played Bingo

 Passed Madelyn around

 Christmas Eve, we attended Grandma Fisher's Christmas party---always enjoy the red slushy drink.

 Madelyn's first Christmas, she got several wonderful things---books, a dress, toys, a ball, and diapers. 

 She was a very good girl this year and was Santa's helper.

 I got steamer, which I have loved cooking our vegetables every night so far.

 Roger and Jill got a new laptop.

 Todd enjoyed the snow, making a giant snowman. 

 Christopher was willing to help Todd in his snowman making quest.

Maddie played a little concert for us to celebrate the day.