Christmas 2016

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas 2016! It is already 2017, and I am finally getting around to all the blogging I need to do. We had a lovely, quiet Christmas celebrating and reflecting on our Savior's Birth!

We attended our church's Christmas Eve service, and enjoyed dressing in our red, singing with our friends and remembering that one special night in Bethlehem that changed the world forever.

Daddy and his kiddos

We had an early Christmas Eve dinner before the service, and I got to use my Christmas present, a huge 9 qt. dutch oven... our roast was scrumptious! 

Yum Yum! Dinner with the ones you love, always a gift in my book!

The kids woke up EARLY on Christmas Day, and Mama had to hold them off so Daddy could get a video of them racing down the stairs...

Can you feel the excitement?!

Hooray! The girls and Andy were thrilled with their presents, Thank You Family!! xoxo

Madison's leotard in her favorite color, Yellow!

Who needs a tiara to open gifts? Lindsay. LOL.

Once Drew got a hang of tearing open the paper, he was a machine!

"Ooooooo"

Merry Christmas and Happy 2017!

Love, 

The Fisher Family: Jarrett, Katie, Lindsay, Madison & Andrew

Madison's CBS Christmas Performance 2016

I promise I will eventually get caught up blogging from the holidays.... LOL. Madison had her very last Community Bible Study Christmas Performance, (sniff sniff) and I was so proud of her! She has been working hard on her memory verses and learning to play the song on the bell.

Madison Grace, 4.5 years

Madison singing one of her memory verses...

Our handsome little guy was charming the pants off all the ladies...

Andrew Brooks, 14.5 months

He wore his cute Christmas outfit from Nonna (Thank You!) and enjoyed hearing the bells and watching the kids sing. He loves CBS, and I look forward to him hearing bible stories, doing activities and learning memory verses in the years ahead as he hears about Jesus!

He's totally posing... LOL

Madison's Christmas Pageant

Madison had her Preschool Christmas Pageant the Tuesday before Christmas...Boy, was she one cute Reindeer! 

Madison Grace, 4 years old 

 I asked her the week before if she was excited to sing her Christmas songs, and she said, "NO. I do NOT want to wear my reindeer hat. It covers my face." I said, "All the other kids will be wearing them and besides, it looks so cute!" She didn't buy it.

Scowling and walking in with the hat. LOL.

Refused to turn around and look at us. LOL.

Andrew was all smiles and really enjoyed watching all the kids. He heard there were cookies afterwards. 

 Poor girl. I can understand why she didn't like the hat (although it was cute). The red sparkly nose did hang over her face.

 She was so HAPPY to take that hat off mid-way through the show. Her mood improved significantly.

Pretty Girl... She couldn't wait for some cookies!

 She was so proud. Her and Daddy matched.. both were wearing red, and he wore his Santa tie!

Maddie Grace and her best friend, Sophia. 

Great Job Sweet Heart! You did a fantastic job singing, but I am even more proud of your courage! I know you did not want to wear that reindeer hat, and I am so proud of you for being brave and following through, even when you didn't feel like it. I love you! xo

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

We've been busy enjoying the Christmas Season....

Andrew LOVED the tractor at our annual visit to Shadybrook Farms Light Show.

Mama and her special girls had a Girls Date to see the new Disney movie, Moana. I have no pictures, but I hosted my first Cookie Swap with my girlfriends and we had a blast! I think it might become a new tradition ;)

Andrew and Maddie did their fair share of shopping with Mama... Thank goodness for Car Baskets!

We decorated my old tree from my apartment (way back when!) in the playroom/den. We used the Hallmark ornaments from my childhood (thanks Papa for mailing them to us) and the girls had a blast going through them and hearing all the stories.

We celebrated our *12* anniversary with our babes at PF Changs after church... This picture is a perfect example of what its like eating with kids. LOL. We are planning a more romantic Mama-Daddy get away to NYC for a night when Nonna and Grandpa come after Christmas! Happy Anniversary Love! xo

In early December Madison's preschool had a "Breakfast with Santa" and we had fun seeing old friends and meeting new ones, plus getting to see all of Madison's school work!

Teacher told me Madison was adamant that her angel had brown hair in a side braid. Haha!

Our Christmas Cuties

Andrew had fun coloring at the party....

Well, at least he didn't scream when he sat on Santa's lap...

A couple weekends ago we visited a Living Nativity in Hamilton. It's been a couple years since we've taken the girls, but they remembered the animals and really enjoyed seeing the Christmas Story come to life.

And of course, we made a TON of sugar cookies with my helpers....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours!

Ready, Set, GO!

Andrew Brooks is walking!! 

Or at least when he wants to. Haha!! Go Buddy Go!! 

Thanksgiving 2016

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours! We had a wonderfully relaxing day feasting, enjoying each other's company and remembering all we are thankful for!

The Fam (minus Daddy holding the camera)

It was just us this year, and we didn't have any company over like we've had the past few years. We really kicked back as in, stayed in our jammies all day. LOL.

Yum!

Since it was just us, I was really wanting to try out a few new recipes and techniques. I tried out brining our turkey with a Williams Sonoma kit... it was super yummy! I think I might start doing it every year. I was worried about the gravy turning out too salty from the drippings, but it was even better and so full of flavor.

Instead of pumpkin pie, I made this beauty: Pumpkin Oreo Cheesecake. Go big or go home!

Little Man loved eating first, second and third Thanksgiving. His favorites were the turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes, and of course, the pumpkin oreo cheesecake.

We enjoyed skyping with family later in the day, and had some nice visits with our family in California. It was Nonna's 60th birthday and we crashed her party via skype to sing to her and watch her open gifts. We are looking forward to Nonna and Grandpa's visit after Christmas!!

Madison's Preschool Thanksgiving Performance

Jarrett, Andrew and I went to Madison's Thanksgiving Feast and Songs a couple days before the real Thanksgiving. Four years olds dressed in pilgrim hats... how can it not be adorable?! 

Sassy girl struts in with her hands on her hips...LOL.

Singing, "Thank You Father for making me Me"

Singing, "This Little Light of Mine"

Prettiest Pilgrim we've ever seen!

Madison Grace, 4.5 years old

She was so proud, and did such a great job singing and reciting poems.

Daddy and Maddie Gracie

Mama and Me

We missed our Lulu, but she got to see the video and relived her own Thanksgiving show a couple years ago. 

After the show it was time to FEAST! There was a huge turkey cold cut plate with cheese, sandwich stuff and a ton of desserts and juice. Maddie and Andrew went straight for the sweets, no surprise there.

Preschool has been so wonderful for Madison this year... It has been a joy watching her bloom!

So proud of our Baby Girl and the smart, kind and beautiful girl inside and out you are becoming!