Kisses and Hiding in Bed

It's hard to tell who gets the most enjoyment out of this... Maddie or Luke (or maybe it's Mom and Dad)?  These two are so cute together.  Scenes like this are a daily occurrence... so cute!

Maddie's First Piano Recital

Today was Maddie's first piano recital.  She played "Musette" by Leopold Mozart.  We're so proud of her.  Watch, listen and enjoy.

And a few photos of Maddie in her new fancy dress and shoes.

New shoes (high heels) and a fancy new dress

All smiles after a successful recital performance

Maddie and Mom pose after the recital

It was a great day!

Maddie Earns Her Yellow Belt!

After 2 months of karate classes, Maddie tested for and earned her yellow belt today!  She has worked very hard to learn the required skills and memorize the different techniques.  She really enjoys the classes and feels very proud of her accomplishment.  Mom and Dad are proud too!  Next goal: orange belt!  Go for it Maddie!

Maddie warms up for her belt test (notice the white belt with 2 blue tips)

Maddie kicks during belt testing - check out that form!

Maddie after belt testing (notice the new yellow belt) - don't mess with this girl!

Pictures in the Peach Grove

We recently had some photos taken in a nearby peach grove.  We had to walk through waist-deep grass and our shoes got really muddy.  The kids just wanted to leave and we were certain that we hadn't gotten a single good picture.  We were wrong!

Florida Spring Break

In March we enjoyed a wonderful week on the beach in Florida.  Besides playing in the ocean (and pool), we also visited several theme park tourist attractions and had several days of visiting with Mimi.  The kids did great and Luke especially did great on the long plane ride to and from Florida.

Luke works on his sand castle... not sure if he's building or knocking down?

Maddie takes a break from splashing in the ocean for a quick photo

Hurry and take the picture, Mom... we want to play in the sand

Dad and Luke find sea shells in the surf (say that 5 times fast!)

Luke runs to rinse the sand castle bucket

Maddie enjoys a roller coaster ride at Busch Gardens

Family photo at Busch Gardens

Luke in Sesame Street Safari at Busch Gardens

Luke, Maddie, and Dad stop to watch lizards along the walkway

Mom with kids

Big sister rides with Luke - his first ride without Mom or Dad!

Luke enjoys (we think) a ride

Maddie gives Luke some love at lunch

Maddie helps us navigate through the park with her excellent map reading skills

Luke really liked these flamingos

Maddie and Luke rest on a bench

Maddie poses in front of the Giraffe Garden

Maddie does her best Pharoah imitation!

Water ride - warning you might get wet!

Luke and Dad after splashing in kids area

This photo is too cute!

Mimi and Maddie enjoy the beach

Family fun on the beach

Mimi with Dad and grandkids

Luke gives seashell to Mimi

Luke celebrates the setting sun by tossing sand into the air (and into his hair)

Maddie and Mimi enjoy dinner

Enjoying a night of putt-putt golf

Luke seems confused, but Mom and Maddie enjoy the evening at the putt-putt golf course

A visit to the aquarium to see "Winter"

Luke loved watching the fish at the aquarium

Winter gets ready for some therapy training

Winter uses "noodles" to float with her prosthetic tail

Sunglasses required

Luke laughs on the balcony

Maddie and Luke enjoy sunset on our last night in Florida

North Pole Visit

Last week we made a quick trip to the "North Pole."  Maddie and Luke both received a personal invitation from Santa to visit him in his workshop.  We were told to wear pajamas with a warm jacket and to meet at a special location up north.

Dad, Luke and Maddie wait by a warm fire before boarding the trolley to the North Pole

Once there, we joined lots of other children on a trolley ride to be transported through a magical portal on a cold winter night.  We arrived at a huge workshop in a snowy field where we were greeted by lots of elves.  Maddie and the other children helped Santa's elves make toys. 

Maddie and an elf aboard the trolley to the North Pole

Maddie and the other children enter Santa's workshop

Maddie (far right) and other children help dress stuffed animals

Maddie finishes her "toy making" duties

Maddie prepares to launch a foam dart across the room - kids (and elves) like to mix work and play!

After some hard work and play, the kids enjoyed some fresh baked Christmas cookies and "reindeer soup" (hot chocolate).  The kids also attend E.U. (Elf University) where they learned some Christmas trivia from Professor Mistletoe.  Finally they wrote letters to Santa and personally hand delivered them to him in his office!  It was a great and memorable night.

Maddie and other children prepare for a snack after some hard work

Luke enjoys a Christmas cookie with lots of red icing

Same cookie... 1 minute later!

The children listen attentively to Professor Mistletoe

Maddie answers some trivia questions at Elf University

Writing her letter to Santa

Our visit with Santa in his office

Alabaster (Santa's #1 elf) with Maddie the next morning at breakfast

Mrs. Claus reads a story

After our night at the North Pole, we took some time to play in the snow the next day before returning home.  It was a quick trip, but it really got us into the Christmas spirit.  We hope that your Christmas is as magical and spirit-filled as ours.

Mom, Luke and Maddie on the cabin porch, snow falling behind them!

Dad gets Luke dressed to play in the snow

Our little snow angel

All smiles and bundled up for some playing in the snow

Luke gets a sled ride from Dad

Catching snowflakes

Taking a break from sledding

Mom, Maddie and Luke in the cabin

Luke enjoys an Oreo in the car on the ride home!