Shutterbug

Just call me "shutterbug!" I have always enjoyed photography and sometimes commit "random acts of photography." (I get a few good shots by accident!) I have wanted a digital SLR camera for years and I finally got one! My WONDERFUL WONDERFUL WONDERFUL husband treated me to a new Nikon D80 Digital SLR for Christmas.

Since I now have such a nice camera, I am scheduled to take a few photography classes in the next couple of months. It's time to learn the technical side of things so I can take great shots on purpose instead of by accident.

Battle of the Losers

Ahhh- its a good feeling. The Packers beat the Vikings TWICE this year. Sure, they BARELY did it but they did it. We were able to catch the Vikings vs Packer game at the Dome. Due to the Packer Vs. Vikings game at Lambeau field being on a Thursday, we gave up our tickets to Mike's dad and brother. We did enjoy the game on Thursday night in full packer gear.

First Steps

FINALLY - Madison is walking on her own!

For four months, Madison has been cruising furniture and standing on her own. For the past two months, she has walked all over holding just Mom's finger - but she has been too scared to let go and go it alone! It finally happened! She let go and walked all the way across the room to her Daddy. We were just starting to think that she would never walk.

Santa's Lap

Well - she didn't smile for the camera - but she isn't crying either! Madison visited Santa for the first time tonight. She call all dressed up in her cute Christmas dress and waited patiently in line with the other kids for her turn on the lap. I was afraid that she would cry, so I did my best to prepare her. We talked about how Santa can be scary looking, especially when he bellows HO!HO!HO! But he is really just a gentle old man that likes to bring toys to good children. As I set her on his lap, she tightened her grip on my arms but soon realized that I wasn't going anywhere and that she would be okay.
















Madison's new nickname is LOVERGIRL. Isn't this the cutest thing ever? She has learned to kiss and takes every available opportunity to share her love. Madison and her second cousin, Ben, were instant buddies at Grandma Muldoon's Christmas party last weekend. Madison's other second cousin, Colby, is the baby in the background. Madison is also very fond of hugging. She does the cutest little pat on the back when she gives a big bear hug.















There are a few great grandchildren missing in this picture. In the front row we have Madison, Ben, Davis, and Gretta. In the back row is Alexia, Isabelle, and Abby. The great grandchildren that are missing are Luke, Caden, Colby, and Mason. (I hope I didn't forget anyone!) I think there are almost as many great grandchildren as grandchildren now. Great Grandma Muldoon gives all the kids warm jammies for Christmas each year. The jammies were a real hit this year as all the kids quickly changed from the dressy christmas clothes to the snuggly new duds. Madison and Abby were especially proud of their matching sleeper and nightgown jammies.

The rat race begins

Wow! What a day. The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally for shopping - which I did today - ONLINE. Forget going out to the crowded stores to stand in line and fight for position to get that cheap portable DVD player or TV or whatever else - Did you know that many of the stores offer the SAME deals online with free shipping?? No lines, no pushy jerks behind you, no crowds and nobody asking me if I want this store or that store's credit card. I shopped a lot today - got a lot done! I only have a few gifts left to buy.

Shopping online left me some time to get our Christmas decorations up. The lights are up outside, the house is decorated, the tree is up.

Which brings me to a funny story....Madison is scared of the Christmas tree. She woke up from her nap around the same time that we finished putting up the tree. Mike lit it up and brought her in to see it. She got this terrified look on her face and grabbed Mike around the neck. She literally tried to climb up his chest to get as far away from that tree as she could! The fear did not pass with time, either. Everytime we brought her in the family room, she was afraid of that tree.

I suppose that is a good thing. I don't have to worry about her grabbing ornaments and eating them. (only Tyler does that!) I was going to wrap all the gifts and hide them away because I was afraid she would tear into them when I'm not looking - but that tree is a nice little built in deterrant. She won't dare go near those packages.

Diva in Training

Madison had her first haircut today! Since we're taking family portraits next weekend, we decided we should get her hair trimmed up and evened out a little bit. Her bangs hang down well past her chin! We like the length and don't mind putting it up in pigtails - so we just wanted a little trim.

Of course, Madison looks like she is sitting like a pro in this photo - but that is anything but the truth! She squirmed all over and only wanted to turn and look at the stylist as she tried to trim the back. We ended up sitting on the floor and playing while the girl did the best she could to cut the back evenly. I never thought we would sit on the dirty floor of a salon to get Madison's haircut and the stylist said she had never sat on the floor to cut hair before - but hey, she got the job done!

I hope our next trip to the salon will be for a mother/daughter spa day filled with pampering.

New Opportunity

Well - the time to get off the stagecoach has come. I have decided to leave Wells Fargo to pursue an opportunity with the Mayo Clinic. It seems like a no-brainer - my new job won't have any early or late meetings, no Saturdays, no daily sales goals to meet, no customers threatening me or yelling at me, the benefits are just about the same, and the money is better. I know in my heart that this move will make a lot of things easier in our lives. So why do I feel a little bit nervous about it? I guess I'm just nervous to be the "new girl" again. I'm used to being the one everyone comes to when they have a question - and I'm used to always knowing the answers. Now I'll be the one with questions. I'll be the "rookie." Despite being a little nervous - I am VERY excited. Only six days left on the bumpy and dusty stage coach.