Finally! Christmas 2009 pics (plus other pics from Madison's 13th and 14th weeks)

I have hated not being able to blog in the recent weeks. I’ve missed you guys!! How are you? I’ve tried to check in on you via blogs and FaceBook (and some email), but haven’t done that great a job. With Madison’s continued colic (which I hope to announce soon that it’s officially over!) which has led to Chris and I getting absolutely no sleep whatsoever (and still having to drag ourselves to the office!!), going back to work, Christmas, New Year’s, Caitlin going back to school after Christmas break, Chris finding out he has something wrong with his neck and back (the pain is almost unbearable) and just regular life getting in the way, I have had to stay away from my blog. But, with my hope that the c-word (I am leery of talking about this out loud!!?? EEEK!) is finally over (after almost 17 weeks = almost 4 months!!) I hope to be able to blog semi-regularly again (or when significant events occur in the Hoyt Family) :) Whew, that was a long sentence!!

Hope you can make it through this post - it is LOOONNNG! I took over 240 pictures at Christmas time so I posted the best ones in this post (so there are lots!!) :)

We went to church with Grammy, MeMe and Grandpa on Christmas Eve. We opened gifts at our house (just our family of 4) on Christmas morning and then went to MeMe & Grandpa's house for Christmas dinner and more gifts where we were joined by Grammy and Uncle Mike.

We had a great Holiday together and especially since it was Madison's first Christmas! She got to wear cute dresses and socks and I made sure to take pics of all of them!! :) LOL

So, without further adieu, here are our Christmas 2009 pics (and some from the weeks surrounding Christmas to document Madison's weekly (13 & 14) growth and experiences). She is now 4 months old (17+ weeks so I have some catching up to do!!)

Daddy's big Christmas present

My famous dips - Chili/Cheese over Cream Cheese & Apple/Pineapple Jelly/Horseraddish over Cream Cheese - all with crackers - YUMMO!!

MeMe & Grandpa's beautiful dining room

Cait's first Ken doll!

Here's Dakota in her Twinkle Toes :)

Joy's Christmas present (Gumby) - she ate his arm off right away!

This is sooo her daddy's lip!

She was so happy that Santa brought her a Liv doll!

She lost her 4th front tooth on Christmas Eve! I asked her when The Tooth Fairy would show up...

...Then I asked when Santa would show up...Our house was popular and busy on Christmas Eve!!

Can't remember why Cait had a fit before church, but I had to document it...

They say your baby should be 4 months old to use the ExerSaucer...we put her in at 3!! :)

She kind of likes it...I think it's growing on her.

My Christmas gift from Madison: she slept in her crib for 15 minutes (longest ever!) and when she woke up and would not go back to sleep in crib, we both started sleeping in our bed (moved from couch) on 12/25/09 after 3 months in living room (to let Dad get rest while Mom stayed home and baby cried all night...) It's so nice to be in my bed again!! I can feed her there without really "waking up" and she sleeps most of the night as long as I'm there :)

Happy New Year!

Here are My Wishes for You...

H ours of happy times with friends and family
A bundant time for relaxation
P rosperity
P lenty of love when you need it the most
Y outhful excitement at life's simple pleasures

N ights of restful slumber (you know - don't worry be happy)
E verything you need
W ishing you love and light

Y ears and years of good health
E njoyment and mirth
A angels to watch over you
R embrances of a happy years!

Author Unknown

I had hoped to get our Christmas pictures posted before this day, but without much sleep these past few weeks, that didn't happen, so I'll leave you with my favorite of the girls from Christmas morning :)

Love, hugs and prayers for a wonderful 2010!
Amanda & Family

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!!!

We should be glad and celebrate!

Luke 2:11

Hope this glorious season gives you many new reasons to rejoice!