Christmas Recap (Part II)

Christmas has came and past at the Akins House! I wasted no time taking down my tree and Christmas decorations. My house is back to normal, with special help from Mom & David. Madison is still looking for Christmas lights on the staircase when we go upstairs! I'm pretty sure she is not happy with me for taking them down so quickly. Oh well!! We had a GREAT Christmas, and my house is now stocked with new toys and clothes. ** A special thanks to all of you who got her toys that make alot of noise!! (I will remember that) **

Our first party on Christmas Eve was at Memaw's. After I got off work, Madison and I left Collierville and headed to Southaven. Everyone was there, and we were all thankful to see Memaw in such better health after her recent hospital stay. Sometimes, we all get wrapped up in the gifts and presents during the holidays, and forget to just take time to thank God for our health and being with our family. We truely take that for granted!! We had a huge meal, and everything was delicious as always! We exchanged gifts, and man did Madison and Sara Reye rack up. Madison got alot of new toys, and some cute clothes. She has been wagging around her Dora phone for the past two days! Nancy monogrammed her a really cute garment bag, and also her favorite gift was from Memaw, a soft pink blanket (which Madison carried around, and has been sleeping with). All in All, we had a great party, but Madison started to wear down around 6pm, and became a fussy lil' girl. She had had enough fun, and started grabbing me by the hand and walking to the door, and saying "Bye, Bye!!" (or more like, screaming Bye-Bye!). So I took that as my cue to head to Collierville.

From Memaw's, we headed to Mimi's for more food and family. Uncle Reese was in town, and he wore Madison down the rest of the way. We ate again, and watched some old family videos of Reese and Scarlet. Safe to say, I have tons of new ammo to use on Reese whenever needed!! His Pretty Woman inpersonation will be stored in my memory for a long time....Well done, Reese!! (Work it......) Madison crashed hard, and for the first time I got to play the role of Santa!!! I really enjoyed putting all of Madison's stuff together with Mimi. I know Scarlet would have really enjoyed doing this for Madison too! She was such a fan of Santa and Christmas, and I know she was smiling when she watched Mimi and I get everything ready for Gracie. It was quite the task!! :)

Well, Christmas morning came, and Madison was up bright and early. We all got our Camera's ready, as she decended the stairs and saw all the new stuff in the living room. She really didn't know what to think at first, but then began to explore. She went from toy to toy, and was really making sure that Mimi and I approved of everything as well. She got sooooo much stuff and should be entertained for a few weeks anyway. I would list everything, but you can check it out in the pics below. We all exchanged gifts in the living room, and then followed that with a delicious Christmas breakfast thanks to Mimi and Nana Bledsoe. Yummy!!

After breakfast, everyone went their own ways, and it was nap time! Madison crashed for a long nap, after playing so hard that morning. You could tell she was exhausted! We met up again at 3pm at Leigh Leigh's, for Spaghetti and Meatballs and other appetizers. Madison got a new rocking unicorn from Steve and Vic, and also several other "noisy" toys! I decided she could keep those at their house.

We finally made it home around 5:30, and we unloaded the car, and took a sigh of relief that all the parties were finally over. I feel like we have took the tour of Memphis and North Mississippi in the past 5 days. I am extremely grateful for all we received, but am also glad to see it over with too!! Grandy and Pop arrived around 5:30 and helped me take down all my decorations, and get my house back to normal. Madison got to show them all her new toys, and they of course enjoyed this. Around 7:30 she crashed, and I got no resistance from her as I laid her down to sleep. She told me "Night Night", and she found her thumb, and off to sleep she went. Sleep tight Gracie!

Well, that is all I have for you. Enjoy the pics below, and I hope it lets you see how WONDERFUL of a Christmas we both had.

Jody and Madison

Madison showing off her new "crocs"

Madison visiting mommy, and pointing at her pic :)

She had to smell the tree!!

She was showing Daddy her new gloves and hat!

She loves her Mimi!

Hey, there's Rudolph!!

Pretty girl!!

Just hanging out on the stairs!

Madison and her crazy hair

Christmas Recap (Part I)

Here it is Christmas Eve, and I've already been to 4 Christmas parties!! Madison and I started out on Thursday afternoon at her party at school. When Cheryl and I arrived, I was surprised to see all eight kiddo's sitting somewhat quitely at the table eating Christmas cookies! I didn't know that was possible with (8) two-year olds. Madison had to show out a lil' bit when we arrived, and didn't stay seated long! She ate Christmas cookies, showed us her toys, and exchanged gifts with the other kids. Party #1 was in the bag!

Friday evening after work, We took off to Tippah County and Grandy and Pop's house. It was good to be Home. Madison was greated with hugs and kisses, but didn't take long to go straight to the Christmas tree. Awaiting her under the tree was her first battery operated riding toy. Grandy and Pop had her a pink 4-wheeler, and she was a lil' confused at first. It took her awhile to get the hang of it, but after that, she was cruising the living room with a big grin on her face! It's amazing to me, how much her smile is like Scarlet's when she gets really excited! It lights up the room :) We exchanged gifts with Mom and David that night, and boy did we rack up!! Madison got alot of new clothes, and also got her first Toy Kitchen (which was not fun to assemble, btw!!). I scored a new vacuum for my house, a leaf blower, and some new clothes. We played hard on Friday night, before she finally gave out and went to sleep. Party #2 was over!

Saturday, Madison got to take the Tour de Ripley. Her and Pops went to town on Saturday morning and went visiting. There were alot of people hoping to see her this weekend, and I think Pops got alot of this done with his trip to town. Saturday evening we had dinner and opened gifts at Mrs. Jamie's. Madison was not her normal chipper self Saturday night, but pulled thru in the end. She got a few new baby dolls, and some more cute clothes. She had fun playing with Molly and Madison (Nicole's Madison).

Sunday Morning we went to church with Mom and David and then onto Dedo's for Christmas fun! Everyone was at Dedo's and it was alot of fun. We had a delicious lunch, and we remembered Scarlet by lighting a pink candle for her before we said the blessing for lunch. That was a touching moment for me, as I know how much Scarlet loved Christmas, and how much she would have loved to see Madison enjoy this special time of year. Madison was abit overwhelmed come present time! She could sense that something was not normal, and would just get real excited, and just scream and smile!! It is quite humorous to watch her get so carried away! She had alot of gifts, but was just as enthused with other folks gifts as her own. She got another riding toy from Dedo, and some dolls and clothes from Lane and Sherry. She enjoyed Eli and Drew's punching gloves, however, we had a hard time keeping them on her hands. By the time we were ready to head to Cordova, she was give out. She slept the entire way home, and was still give out come bedtime.

I am having to work this morning on Christmas Eve, and Madison and Mimi are heading to visit Scarlet this morning. This evening we have Memaw's party, and then it's off to bed and to await Santa coming at Mimi's in the morning. We are having Christmas with the Lawrence's on Christmas Day, and then hopefully everything will get back into a routine.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, and will recap tonight and tomorrow later in the week. Enjoy the pics!!

JA

Madison enjoying Christmas Cookies with her Classmates

I love my Christmas Tree Cookie Daddy!

Hey!!!! Madison talking on Mimi's phone

Madison playing with her riding toy at Dedo's!

Eli, Madison, and Lane opening gifts

Madison was a tired lil' girl! She made herself a bed in the kitchen floor!!

Getting Ready for Christmas

Haven't blogged in awhile, so thought I would update everyone on Madison and myself. We are both anxiously awaiting the holidays and spending time with our family. We will be going to Grandy and Pop's Friday for the long weekend, and then back to Memphis on Christmas Eve to spend the night at Mimi's.

Madison is really loving the Christmas lights. She will vocally let you know this too!! Her prolonged "Lighttttttttttt's!!" just makes me smile everytime. She loves Christmas trees, Christmas toys, and just anything that looks out of the norm. She definately got this from Scarlet, as she was a Christmas fanatic!

She now will start grabbing your hand, and guiding you whereever she wants to go. She doesn't really like it when you don't go, and will let you know with a temper tantrum.

She has started trying to laydown in bathtub, and kick (like she's swimming) which will be helpful in the summertime when she learns how.

She is just now getting over a mild-case of bronchitas, and an ear infection, and hopefully she will be all better by Christmas time.

I'm ready for the holidays as well. I always love Christmas time, and seeing the joy and happiness on the kids faces as they open their gifts! One of my favorite times of the year. I am looking forward to the Liberty Bowl, and hoping for a MSU victory. Been awhile since we've been bowling, and would be a good way to get ready for 2008!

Hope everyone is well, and I will be posting MGA Christmas pics next week. Thanks to everyone who sent me a Christmas card, here's to wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday Season!

Jody and Gracie

Battle for the Golden Egg! 17-14 MSU

Well, it wasn't the prettiest game in the world, but Coach O would not have us lose that football game! After struggling for the first 3.5 quarters of football, the good guys finally prevailed. It was one of the best Egg Bowls that I have ever witnessed (Now 18 in a row, not that I'm counting!!) and definately one for the ages. What was even sweeter having a few of my Ole Miss buddies in town for the game, and seeing them witness the meltdown in person! Ship it Cumba!!
Thanksgiving was wonderful this year. My first Thanksgiving dinner started on Thursday afternoon at Mimi's and Vann's. Boy was it delicious!! The fried turkey was outstanding, and it was definately voted the best Turkey of the Year. Hint - Once you go fried, you don't go back!! Madison enjoyed the fried turkey too!! She would just go "mmmmmmmm!!", and definately wanted as much as we would give her. She ate a pick plate of veggies and dressing, and was one stuffed lil' girl when she left.

My next dinner came on Saturday at Dedo's house, and it too hit the spot! Everyone was able to make it except Madison. She was attending her first family reunion with Vann's family in Batesville. We carried on anyway, and I do believe everyone enjoyed themselves. Jeff's BBQ Nacho's were probably the hit of the dinner! Job well done!

Finally, we wrapped things up with the traditional Thanksgiving dinner at Memaw's in Southaven on Sunday night. There was more food and deserts than you could have possibly imagined. We had candles sat out for Scarlet, Marcus, and Pepaw. Although they were not with us in body, I know they were all there in spirit! We miss them all greatly, and can't wait to see each of them again! Madison and Sara Reye were definately the hit of the party, and they had a fun time playing together. Christmas time will be exciting this year with the lil' girls. They are both quite the curiuos one, and presents, trees, and ornaments do not stand a chance.

I was definately glad to get home on Sunday night, after the 4-5 day trip around North Mississippi. I could definately tell Madison was glad to be home as well! It was really funny, because after bathtime, while I was putting on her PJ's, she looked at me, and said "Nite Nite!!". It was like she was telling me, you better be putting me to bed Daddy, no more playtime!!!

I hope everyone had as good of Thanksgiving as Madison and I did. Please continue to be thankful for your family and all the blessings we all have! Below are some pics from the weekend. Enjoy, and again, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Go Dawgs!!!

JA

Here come the Bulldogs!!!

JA and RTL at the Egg Bowl 07'


MGA Sporting her MSU Jacket

Flipped Out for Thanksgiving!!

Pretty Girl :)

Madison and Sara Reye playing @ Memaw's

Thanksgiving is in the air!!

Well Thanksgiving week is here folks! BTW, did I mention, this is one of my favorite holidays of the year! This is one of the big advantages to having such a huge family. I get to enjoy several Thanksgiving dinners!!! The dinners will start Thursday @ Mimi's in Collierville, and end on Sunday @ Memaw's in Southaven.

This last weekend was pretty interesting. Madison spent the weekend with Grandy and Pop in Ripley, while I ventured to Little Rock to see Mississippi State play. Let me just warn you though, if you ever thought where you lived was full of rednecks, etc, just take one trip to see Arkansas play and you will feel like you live in a metropolis. The game stunk, as we preceeded to have 5 turnovers, and just gave the game away. Oh well, we haven't won a football game in the state of Arkansas in years, so why change now!

Madison had a big time in Tippah County this week. They attended a birthday party for one of Mom's friends on Friday night, and played around the house and with Cousin's Eli and Drew on Saturday. Mom said she was really good, but of course, she always says that (she's a little biased). She was one tired girl when I met her yesterday @ Mcdonalds. She was eating on an ice cream cone like a big girl when I saw her. I always love when she spots me coming in, and her face lights up, and of course, so does mine. We played a lil' last night, but I could tell she was worn out, so we ate and bathed early, and went "night night"!

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving, and please take time to spend with the one's you love! We should all be thankful for our many blessings in our life, and also take time to thank God for them. Thanksgiving was Scarlet's favorite holiday of the year, and I hope to teach Madison to enjoy it just as much.

Here are a few pictures of Madison helping Pop work yesterday at State Farm.

JA (FYI...my prediction MSU (27) Ole Miss (10)

Madison & Pop working hard!!

Madison selling some policies at State Farm

Madison playing on the keyboard!!

Madison enjoys the park, coloring, and another Bulldog Victory!

Well this weekend was a good one to be a Bulldog fan! Nothing makes me more happy than beating Alabama (yes, even more than beating Ole Miss). Throw in blowing out La. Tech in basketball and it was a perfect weekend to be a bulldog!!

Madison spent the weekend with Papi Steve and Vic Vic and had a big time. They went out to eat dinner on Friday night, and Madison had some flour tortilla's at the Mexican Restaurant. She is learning to use her fork, and is really a quick learner. Saturday, they went to the park, and Madison was a big fan of the slide. Steve said she played really hard, and was asleep by 7:15 that night. Sunday, I'm not sure who was more tired her or me. When Steve brought her to the house we played a lil' bit, and both started to crash rather early last night.

All in all a great weekend, and she is looking forward to the upcoming Holiday season. She just loves the falling leaves, and also is a big fan of Christmas trees and lights. So I guess, I better get on the ball with my Christmas decor!!

Hope everyone has a good week, here are some pics from her weekend with Steve and Vic.

Enjoy...Jody

Madison sliding at the Park

Madison really enjoyed Coloring!

Lazy Weekend @ Akins House

All,

Not much went on this weekend. I kept Madison inside all weekend to try to get her feeling better. She has been fighting a fever, running nose, and cough for going on a week now. I think I have all of those gone now except the cough.

Madison did not adjust too well to the Daylight Savings Time. Sunday morning she was up around 6:15, and by 6pm that night, she was an absolute bear!! She was having no part of pushing back her dinner and bathtime by an hour. She did make it, but it took a few temper tantrum's to get her point across!

Hope everyone has a good week...JA

Buzzzzzzzz.......

Mimi with her lil' Bumblebee!

Someone was glad to see their Grandy!

My favorite :)


Madison loved the Halloween props @ Mimi's


She had to give the pumpkin some love!! (Of course she did)


Madison loves her Mimi!


Getting sandwiched by the G-moms!

She really enjoyed putting things into her basket

Nana got her cupcakes for a happy :)

Lady in black! The suit had got just too hot for her at Nana B's

Well Halloween #2 has come and gone in the Akins Household. The night started in Collierville at Mimi and Grandaddy's house. We met Grandy and Pops there, and then started our adventure. We went on Tour de Nana, which included stops at Cordova and in Bartlett! The night closed at the Akins Household where a crowd of Papi Steve, Vic Vic, Chris, and Aunt Carrie was there to greet us.

Safe to say, once I got her a bath and into her PJ's, she did not fight me one bit when I put her to bed. Tonight was fun, and I know Scarlet saw her precious bumble bee buzzing around to see everyone. I hate she could not join me with all of these daily adventures, but know she is here in all of our hearts..

Happy Halloween CarCar! We all love you, and so does your lil' bumble bee :).

JA/Daddy

So Tomorrow is Halloween #2

As Madison prepares for her 2nd Halloween, I thought it would be nice to go back to last year, and look at how much she has grown in a years times. She was a Pumpkin last year, and was not real happy with being dressed up. Hopefully she will be a better sport about it this year! We are working on her saying "Trick or Treat" but doubtful that is accomplished by tomorrow night.

JA

Almost Halloween!

Hope everyone had a great weekend, I know I did (Go Bulldogs!!!). Check back on Wednesday night for Halloween pics of Madison. Since the bulldogs won yesterday, Madison got to wear her cheerleading suit today. This is more like it!

JA

Sunday Afternoon at Shelby Farms

Sunday afternoon at Shelby Farm's was very fun! It was beautiful outside, and Madison was having no part of being kept inside. After going to Target to get her a soccer ball, we were good to go. She enjoyed chasing the ball around, and especially checking out the ducks :)

My Soccer Star!

She can now do flips!

Watching the Ducks with Daddy!

We will learn how to play Soccer!

Thanks for the Sunglasses Daddy!

Having Fun!!

I love Shelby Farms Daddy!!

She is definately a "Pointer"

Go Deep Daddy!!

Let's go to Ripley...

This weekend was spent in Ripley with Grandy and Pop! We got to visit the family and get to go cousin Eli's 4th birthday party. It was a blast! Here are some pics from the weekend.
JA