Trimming the tree

Every year we head to Baugher's to get out Christmas tree! They have the best selection and the trees last so long! It took about 10 minutes to find the perfect tree. We loaded on top of our car and headed home to decorate. I put the lights on while Madison and Caroline got cleaned up and in their pajamas. Once they were finshed we put the ornaments on while sipping on hot chocolate and listening to Christmas music. It was such a perfect evening!

Our newest family member

Caroline has a little boy in her preschool class that she has become quite fond of. His name is Nick. When I say she is quite fond of him, I mean she refers to him as her boyfriend! She is only 3!!! Well, I guess since she likes Nick so much, she created a "pretend" Nick at home. Yes, she has an imaginary friend named Nick. Nick comes everywhere with us, he eats meals with her, plays in the playroom with her, even bathes with her! In fact, as I am typing she is playing "Nick and Princess" in the playroom. I want to quote her on a few things that she has said when referring to Nick.

John was finishing up her bath one night and he shut the water off and got her out of the tub. She was acting mad at John as he put her pajamas on. John asked, "What's wrong Caroline?" She said, "I am mad at you Daddy, you shut the water off and Nick was still taking his bath!"

Caroline said, "Mommy, can I have a Hershey Kiss?" "Yes, you can" I said. "Can Nick have one too?" Caroline asked. "Sure Caroline" I said. A few seconds later after she ate her Hershey Kiss she said, "Nick told me he isn't hungry, can I have his Hershey Kiss?"

Caroline was playing dress up one day and asked me to take her picture. Of course I said I would. After I took her picture, she asked me to take Nick's picture. I said, "Ok, where is he?" She said, "Over by the steps." I then proceeded to take Nick's picture. Caroline said, " Can I see the picture?" I showed her the camera. "Oh, he looks so cute!" she said. Of course there was nothing in the picture except the banister and steps! :)

Here are the pictures from that day:

Our annual winter beach trip

Every December we head to Bethany Beach for the weekend. John and I have been doing this since we were dating and now we all head down as a family. We plan our weekend around the Ocean City Christmas parade. This year is was on December 6th. We got to Bethany Beach shortly after dinner on Friday, December 5th. the next morning we enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the Bayside Skillet in Ocean City. After breakfast we headed to Rose's for discount shopping. For some reason this has been added to our weekend tradition in the last few years. It is fun to see what kid of bargains you can find! After shopping we headed out to Coastal Highway for the parade! The kids just love it and there are so many cute floats! Of course, Madison and Caroline love chasing after the candy that is thrown from the floats. Once the parade is over we head back to the townhouse to rest a bit before heading to The Cottage Cafe and Winterfest of Lights. We had such a festive weekend and the girls enjoy going each year. It is become one of many family traditons around the holidays.

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! We started our day they way we always start Thanksgiving, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade while we eat caramel rolls. While the kids are watching the parade John and I go through all of the ads from the newspaper and we plan his annual Black Friday shopping trip. I have to admit I like the parade too! Watching reminds me of being a kid and I just love all of the Broadway performances!

I think the most important thing this Thanksgiving was being able to celebrate with John's grandmother. She is 96 years old and going strong! We were able to have Thanksgiving dinner at her house on Clover Leaf Farm. I know it meant a lot to her to be with everyone at her house, and that really made Thanksgiving special to all of us. We were able to capture a picture of the four generations: Melvine Brown, Rosemary Brown Beakes, John Beakes, Madison and Caroline Beakes. What a great picture to remember this special day!

Madison's Last Soccer Game

Madison had her last soccer game in mid November. She loves soccer and she loves that John is her coach. Although, sometimes she takes advantage of it! Their team didn't do so well this year. They won 1 game and tied 1 game. That did not matter to Madison, she had so much fun and that is all that matters! There was a trophy ceremony a week after the last game and she was so excited to get her first soccer trophy! GO MADISON!!!!

Time Flies!

I can't believe I haven't posted anything in so long! I am a bad mommy blogger! I guess that is what happens when the stomach virus and strep throat take over. I swear we were at the pediatrician's once a week for 5 weeks straight. Between Madison and her strep throat and Caroline with 2 bouts of the stomach virus.....YUCK!!! Well, I am on here now and I am ready to update.

Fall Fun!

Last weekend we headed to Baugher's Orchard to pick out our pumpkins and have some fun! We started out by having lunch there and letting the kids play on the playground. It was such a beautiful Fall day. After that we headed over to get in line for the tractor to take us out to the pumpkin patch. It was Caroline's first time on the hay ride so she was very excited!

We headed out to the pumpkin patch in search of the perfect pumpkins! Madison and Caroline got to pick their own and then John and I eached picked one. Madison found a little pumpkin and showed it to Caroline. Caroline thought that that was the best pumpkin that she had seen so far. She named it "baby pumpkin". We were heading back to get in line for our ride back to the market when Madison said to Caroline, "Caroline don't you love that little pumpkin Sissy picked out for you?" At that moment Caroline threw the pumpkin on the ground and said that she did not want that one. We kept asking her why and she just kept saying that she wanted a different one. She realized that Madison had picked it and that she did not, and she was not having that! I think that she didn't want to hurt Madison's feelings so she never came out and said that exactly, but we are assuming that was the problem. John took her back out to look for "her" pumpkin.

Once we were back at the market the girls enjoyed playing on the moon bounce, painting pottery, pony rides, and having a snack of apple cider, funnel cake, and kettle corn. Of course you can't leave without stocking up on goodies from the market! What a wonderful day!!

We closed out the day by getting the girls bathed, eating dinner and then all having popcorn and M&M's while watching The Spiderwick Chronincles. It was the perfect end to the perfect Fall day!