Todd and Catherine Fisher: January 2014

Christmas, Birthday, New Year

The Sunday before Christmas, we headed to Clinton for the Christmas Party. Madelyn loved playing on the toys downstairs while we started off with a ping pong tournament.

Then we had the re-enactment of the Nativity. Madelyn wore her bathrobe and was a shepherd.

Olivia was the wise girl.

On Christmas Eve, we went to the extended Fisher family Christmas party. It was wonderful to see the aunts and uncles, cousins, and Grandma Fisher.

Christmas morning, we ate a great breakfast and then opened presents at nine.

Madelyn got books, toys, clothes, and diapers. Todd got a camera and a book that I wrote for him. I wrote it like a children's book, including pictures of his early life, mission, and all the way to present day. I got a new pair of running shoes and finger nail polishes. Jill received clothes, gloves, and beautiful jewelry. Roger got a new shovel, clothes, and slippers.

We were so blessed this year by the many gifts. Thank you!

For my 27th birthday, Todd took me out on a date, bowling and lunch at Applebees. Maddie Jane enjoyed playing with the many fun toys at her grandparents house. This car was her favorite.

Afterwards, we picked up Madelyn, Hailey, and Christopher and headed out. We stopped to see Grams and Gordon. We had a birthday party there with a cake and birthday song. This was Grandma's 96th birthday this year. Then I had my special time with Grandma as we visited and reminisced about the previous birthdays we have spent together. Going on two train rides in the snow covered mountains, always sharing amazing princess birthday cakes that she picked out for us when I was young, and getting a beautiful doll on my 8th birthday from her are some of my favorite birthday memories with her. Also, as I held her hand as we visited, I noticed that the fingernail polish I had gotten for Christmas was the exact color red as her nails. We had matching nails for our birthdays. I couldn't have planned that any better! It was cute!
Then the final stage of my birthday began. On our way home, we stopped and picked up pizza for dinner. I played Life with Hailey and Christopher, then The Great Dalmuti with everyone while we watched the BYU game. What a fun filled birthday!

While Christopher and Hailey spent the weekend with us, we enjoyed playing lots of Life and card games, went to a trampoline park, and Madelyn loved having two cousins playing with her full time. We enjoyed them with us.
We returned back to Clinton for the New Year and had another fun party. Madelyn snuggled with Grandpa most of the night. Todd and I enjoyed visit with his family, watched fireworks while hot tubing, then rang in 2014 watching the ball drop. We had quite the holidays!

During December

Madelyn spent her days this December...

helping take the (dirty) dishes out of the dish washer,

riding her turtle,

finding a new seat in the kitchen,

having her hair stand on its ends,

snuggling with Elmo,

enjoying a tea party with her friend,

making a splash and helping Mama with the dishes,

playing cowgirl,

decorating the Christmas tree,

finding the angel,

and having a tickling party.

Madelyn now has 8 teeth. Her words are: Da Da, Ma Ma, Na na, Pa pa, all done, Elmo, turtle, wa wa (water). She can sing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, Jingle Bells, and Row, Row, Row Your Boat. She loves making animal songs: cow, dog, and cat. Books, songs, flashcards, mealtimes, library visits, bubble baths, and snuggles are her favorite moments of the day. We love every day we spend with her.

Snow Day in December

Our first real snow day this winter---We did buy

Madelyn a coat the night before since we heard it was snowing.

Once I put her coat on, she was very anxious to go outside. I think after walking (or trying to walk) in several inches of snow, she was ready to go back in.