Oops.......

I think you know what happened here!!

Poor Grantie!!  All I heard down the hall from Madison was, "Aaarrrggggg, Grant just pulled my tree over Mom!".  Pretty funny way to start the day!

Some new family traditions this year.

So this year Madison received her Elf on the Shelf.  She has really gotten into the Christmas spirit this year and things are starting to click.  I think she really understands Santa and is loving all the Christmas movies and shows on t.v.  When Madison opened her Elf, we read the book and she gave him a name.  She named him "The Dentist", after Hermey on Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.  She is completely obsessed with this movie and Hermey.  She has it memorized and can sing all the songs.  I never thought I would have to watch this movie so much in my life!  Anyway, she loves to get up in the morning and find him.  I told her she can talk to him and tell him the things she has done during the day.  It is to cute to watch her talk to him because she whispers when talking to him.  We finally caught the movie on t.v. the other night and she was so zoned in to every detail.  She realizes she can't touch him and that he really does report back to Santa!

We also got an advent calendar this year.  After Madison finds "The Dentist", she goes to the calendar and gets her "prize" for the day.  

Madison getting her prize on December 1st.  Can you tell she's pretty excited about it!

I found a stuffed Hermey at a book store in Edwardsville, and had to buy it for Maddie.  She has been sleeping with it every night.  Grant must know she is really attached to it because when she is not looking he takes it and runs!!  Little stinker!! 

Madison has also been busy decorating her tree in her room.  Again, she did a great job!!!

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Christmas has been lot and lots of fun this year!!

How lovely are your branches.....

We kept with the family tradition this year and went to the trusty Home Depot to pick out our tree.  I must say, Mark picked out our tree this year and he did a great job!!  It turned out very pretty.  Madison loved decorating the tree with Daddy.

Grant got in on the action as well.

As did Mommy.  

Madison's section of the tree.  Too cute!!

Then Madison put the star on top of the tree.  She thought that was pretty cool, and she did a great job!!

Grant didn't care at all!!

But he loves his tooth brush!!

Thanksgiving feast.....and Grant's first!!

Thanksgiving this year was just like all the past.  We stuff ourselves until we are miserable, and then we move onto the next get together!!  This year three all fell on the same time, Thanksgiving day at noon, so we ended up skipping a few.  Even though the holidays are hectic, we still manage to have a good time!  

The front of the house decorated with the trusty old turkey!

Wednesday night we had the Kuhl side.  All my cousins are getting so big and mature on this side.  It's my little ones who are the small ones now!  Pa Pa Gary is trying to handle all three of his grand children.  Looks like he has his hands full!

 Miss Layla Jo getting ready for jammies.

 Uncle Mark and Layla.  Uncle Mark looks like he needs to put his jammies on too!

 Madison and Layla hanging out.

 Turkey Day!!!

Grant's loving his first Thanksgiving dinner!

 And I'm done......

 Grant and Brenley getting to know each other on the Iffert side get together.  There are so many little ones on this side of the family.  The second generation is starting!

 Madison and Lauren playing on the Keller side.  Madison just adores Lauren!  And Lauren is so good with her!

 I thought it would be a good idea to get family photos after the crowd left Grandma and Grandpa Keller's home.  Maybe I should have re-thought this one!!!

Schumacher family photo take one......

 take two....

 and take three......yah....not so much.  But Mom and Dad are still smiling!!  

 Keller families turn.....take one

 take two.....

 and, yes, three........

again, not so much!!!  But hey, we tried!!  It had been a long day!!

 We tried again the next day with Tom the turkey at Grandpa and Grandma Kuhl's home.  He has kinda became a tradition to take a picture with on Thanksgiving.  It must have worked because I think this one turned out great!!  Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for taking the picture and making the kiddos smile!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

I know the Keller family has a lot to be thankful for this year!!

A princess party for our princess.

The weekend after Madison's 3rd birthday party we took her to Eckerts in Belleville for a royal princess party.  I thought why not get another use out of her Snow White costume, and she is so into princesses right now.  The day went great and Madison had a lot of fun dressing up and receiving "royal" treatment.  The first project of the day was to make a crown.  The ladies that helped were so good with all the girls.  

As soon as Madison got her crown finished she was "crowned" Princess Madison.  She thought she was big stuff!

Next was to make a bracelet, a wand, and sash.

Then all the girls sat in a big circle to hear a story on princess etiquette.  Madison of course made a friend, with who else, but Rapunzel!!

Daddy and Grant enjoying the story.  Poor Mark and Grant were the only boys present!!  Madison has a great Daddy and brother for wanting to come and enjoy her day with her!

Then it was time for tea and treats!  I think this was Madison's favorite part of the whole day.

Everyone got to decorate their own cupcake like a mouse.  It was so much fun watching her make, and sneak a few treats!

Miss precise.  I wonder were she gets that from!!!  (I know her Daddy is smirking at this comment!)

She finally gets to eat!  This princess is hungry!

And lastly, all the princesses got to dance.  Of course Madison wanted to dance with her prince.

Then this little girl came up to Madison and asked her to dance.  It was so cute and nice of this little girl.  Madison just thought she was everything.  

Princess wiped out on the way home!!

Madison, 

Daddy, Grant, and I, all had a great time with you at your princess party.  You will always be our little princess no matter how old you get!  Never forget how much we love you!!!

Love,

Mommy