Christmas Parade

We went to the Germantown Christmas Parade and boy, was it a parade!  I was expecting a small parade that would last 10-15 minutes and an hour and fifteen minutes later, the parade ended.  Imagine a lot of high school bands, boy scout troops, and local businesses strolling down the street tossing candy.  It was a nice day (although a bit cold) and we had a good time.  The best part was the last float of the parade - SANTA!  He was on the top of a fire truck and was a GREAT Santa!  They happened to stop right in front of us and seeing Madison Claire's face light up when she saw him was worth the hour in the cold.  Then, he looked right at her, pointed to her, and said "I see you" and she was absolutely GLOWING.  Cutest thing I've seen in a long time - and I see cute just about every day with her!

Dad chilling with the buddy

Watching the parade with Daddy

All of us checking out the parade

Best seat in the house

The video of her seeing Santa...priceless :)

Breakfast with Santa!

In mid-December, we had a great morning at the Memphis Botanical Gardens having breakfast with Santa! They had a petting zoo & different crafts set up throughout the building to keep the kids entertained while waiting for Santa.  Madison Claire had a lot of fun!  When we got up to see Santa, Madison Claire walked right up to him and got up on his lap.  I put the buddy up there and when they both looked at the camera with a big smile, the whole room let out a collective "awwww".  It was priceless!!  I had it all on video but Madison Claire got into my iPhone and deleted it.  Oh well! Here are the pics that survived:

Visit from Santa

Santa came to visit Madison Claire & Mac at the McSwains house thanks to a friend of Garys!  I was getting my hair done, so wasn't there to witness it, but Ryan said the buddy loved his beard (as you can tell from the pictures below) and that Madison Claire was really excited but very shy when he was around.  I wish I could have seen it, but I'm glad they were in awe of Santa :)

Rapunzel

Madison Claire has become *obsessed* with the movie Tangled.  She can sing the songs, quote lines from the movie, and every night wants me to "brush my long hair like Rapunzel".  Annie got her this Rapunzel doll & outfit for Madison Claire (including long blonde wig & crown).  Here she is opening it...too cute!

Live Nativity

When my parents were in Memphis, we went to a Live Nativity at the church where Madison Claire goes to preschool.  It was quite the production -complete with live camels, donkeys, horses, goats, even a baby lamb. It's fun to see Madison Claire learn about the Christmas story.  She knows about Baby Jesus and that his mommy was Mary.  If we ask her about Christmas day, she'll say "It's Jesus Birthday.  My teachers say it's not my birthday".  I have no clue what that's about, I'm guessing when they had the Christmas party at school she made a comment about it being her birthday and they told her it wasn't her birthday. Too funny.  100% of the time - "it's Jesus Birthday.  My teachers say it's not my birthday."

With BFF Grayson - love this big smiling picture of MC

Posing in her new coat from MiMi

Sleeping Baby

Sleeping pictures are my favorite.  I loved them of Madison Claire and I love them of Mac too.  After Thanksgiving, we decided to stop swaddling his arms.  Here are 2 of my favorites...so sweet!

Paint A Piece

I met up with a few of the coaches wives to make a football platter to give to a family from ECS that hosted all of our tailgates this season.  It was such a fun night & I was so proud of our platter!  We gave it to them at the football banquet & they loved it...I kind of want one for me too!

Stage 1

The finished project!

The painting team

On our way to the football banquet