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