Christmas Came Early To The Holbrook House!

Madison, Ashley and Tori sent Santa Claus a letter telling him to bring gifts early to the Holbrook house since we would be out of town in Utah. We took all the gifts up to my parent's home and let the unwrapping begin. The girls were so excited when we told them Santa had come by and dropped off some presents and that they could open them NOW!!!
Ashley had been eyeing this Barbie Cash Register every time we walked by it in Costco! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!!!

This is my mom telling my girls that their Great Grandpa (who died Feb 2008) had left them some money to put away for their college funds.

Madison really wanted this cupcake maker from Santa Claus. I, on the other hand, wasn't very excited about it. I know it will just sit next to her "little oven" in the kitchen that she got a couple of years ago. We made cupcakes with it this morning. Lets just say making one cupcake at a time takes forever, but the girls seemed to really enjoy it. Especially frosting them!

We always wrap Santa's gifts in this boring newspaper wrap so it looks completely different from all the other gifts. The girls seem to really like this idea!!!

Happy 6th Birthday Madison!

I can't believe my baby girl is six years old today. Wow, time has just flown by. I remember bringing her home from the hospital and Joe leaving the very next day for a dental school interview in Arizona. Madison is such an amazing little girl and brings so much love and happiness to our family. She is still obsessed with her girlie, princess stuff, yet can run faster than all the boys in kindergarten and kicks some major booty on the soccer field. Every day is such a joy and I just love her to pieces.
We had a BIG family/cousin party on Sunday and today (Monday) being her actual birthday, we spent the day doing everything she wanted to do. Including going to Jack in the Box for curly fries for dinner and getting a churro at Costco. I love how she asks for such simple things. I would have loved to go get an Outback sirloin special or Ruth's Chris, but we can do that on my birthday!!!

Madison has needed a new bike for quite some time. Her knees would literally smack her in the face while riding her old one. She rides without training wheels like a pro!

Madison loves her Leapster and has been so bummed that it broke. She was thrilled to open up a new one tonight.

Grandma Holbrook sent Madison the "Holiday Barbie"!!! I let Madison open this before she went to school. Can you tell how happy she is in the photo???

Madison specifically asked for a flat cake with princesses on it and not a barbie cake. I was kind of surprised by her request! We used rings with jewels and pushed them into the cake to give it some bling.

I was a little worried about Ashley because she wanted some presents to open too, but surprisingly she did pretty well.

Her cousin Kayla (my twin brother's daughter) gave Madison the whole Snow White ensemble. Madison loves dress up.

And Tori just hung out all night being the little sweatheart that she is!

Nutcracker Performance and Santa Claus

We have had a very eventful weekend with office Christmas parties, ballet rehearsals, shopping, and visiting Santa Claus. When Santa asked Madison what she wanted from Santa Claus she replied "a cupcake maker". When Ashley first answered the question she said, "a drink" then she quickly responded, "a ball"!!! She is such a funny little kid.

After many months of practice, Madison was so excited to finally perform in the Nutcracker. She was a Suger Angel and just loved her costume. Her class got to hold candles (fake ones of course) during their performance and wear wings. The costume couldn't have been more perfect for Madison. We were able to get seats right next to the aisle that Madison would be walking down so I could get a close up picture before she went up on stage.

Madison is the one right in the middle!

Thanks Todd and Christianne

Way back when I first found out I was having another girl, Todd and Christianne bought this cute onsie. I have been waiting for the day when Tori would be big enough to wear it. I just love the "frog" rear end. Too adorable! I just love Tori's chubby, dimply, legs. How come its not adorable on all the Mom's???

Thanksgiving Weekend!

Wow, what a weekend we had. I just love it when Joe has a few days off. Too much food and WAY too much fun! We spent Thanksgiving day at my parents' home with my brother Steve and his family and my sister Karen and her family. I have to say how blessed we are to have this new, sweet little girl! Tori is such an amazing, GOOD baby I can't believe it. She is cooing and smiling all the time. It just melts my heart!

I think with each girl I have the flowers and bows just get bigger!

I am the only one that likes yams with marshmellows on top in my family (besides my parents) so I make them every year! I can't have Thanksgiving Day without my yams! That is my nephew Tyler who snuck into my picture. I can't believe he is going to be 20 in February!

My dad about to carve the turkey!

Joe and his girls enjoying a day off from school and work!

Ashley adores her baby sister Tori and is always wanting to hold and kiss her.