And we're off!

As I said in the last post, the kids were SO excited to head to Madison and we finally got the car packed--Christmas gifts for our families, Christmas gifts for the kids, clothes, winter gear, DVDs...and then of course the kids see several things they need on their way out the door, just to ensure zero walking space in our vehicle. But they were all smiles!!

(Apparently Wyatt thought one pillow wasn't sufficient!)

Madison had endured a huge blizzard the day before we got there, so we were so excited to see all the fresh snow--and boy was there a lot!! I took this photo on the road by my parents house....snow drifts well over the height of the speed limit sign!

And a pic of Sadie standing in my parents' driveway...we heard there was a lot of snow but it was like Christmas came early with all that beautiful white stuff!!! It was not only gorgeous but lots of fun to play in!

This year we had our 2nd annual Favorite Things exchange with all the women in Matt's family....his mom, two sisters, one sister-in-law and Sadie and I. Sadie took a few pics for us but you can read more about it on my sister-in-law's fabulous blog!! (Click here and here.)

Sadie's pic of Auntie Cam-author of the aforementioned blog

Sadie's pic of us ladies (yes, I feel like amazon woman when we all take a picture standing up. seriously, could I look more awkward?!)

A pic of all of us, including Sades! We had a great time away from the boys and all the busyness that the holidays bring--I'm already thinking about what I'll give next year!

We also enjoyed some much-needed chillaxin' time.....I had to take this picture of two little skiers that my mom sets up on her coffee table every year as decoration. As you can see, they are supposed to look like snowmen that have fallen down while ice skating. Blake, however, didn't seem to understand that and every time we walked by them, instead of looking like this...

..they looked like this! My mom and I were cracking up. Of course he should be standing on his skates--how else would you do it? And Blake's insistence on 'correcting' it each time he walked by was equally as funny!

And the best part of our time in Madison--spending time with our kids and our families without anything pulling at our attention (work, school, activities, etc)

So this is what Sadie wanted to do for an hour or two one night...

She has been practicing doing braids and asked for an American Girl Doll for Christmas so that she can keep practicing different hairstyles. I think she did a pretty good job!

My parents did have one 'outing' planned for us all on Sunday afternoon--it was a surprise for all of us and I LOVE surprises!

We headed to see a train display at Olbrich Gardens in Madison and then stayed to check out the huge greenhouse, ending the night with dinner at Ella Deli (a mainstay in Madison that I used to go to as a kid!)

(How could you guess there was a Packer's game that evening?)

Sadie is SUCH a great big sister and loved explaining everything in the green house that she had just learned about from Matt or I or my parents. But of course she quickly became the expert and imparted all her wisdom on Blake.

And Blake loved getting to run to Nani around each corner

We ended the afternoon with dinner at Ella's Deli--if you've never been, I don't really know how to even explain it. It has traditional deli food, often with a twist. Like Sadie's 'red drink'--red slushy topped with strawberry cotton candy. But the best part isn't the food but all the things you can watch--I don't know how to explain Ella's Deli other than to say that there are all kinds of things flying around the ceiling and across the restaurant. Every type of mobile or flying gadget you can think of is there....it's a kid's dream restaurant and I now understand why it can be a parent's as well--the kids are entertained the entire time!!

What a fun day! We ended the day by sledding at my parent's house for a few hours and laughed so hard! Sledding--it's just good for the soul!