The Thomas Family

Where does the time go!?! 2009 flew by as we held on to watching Maddie learn and conquer so many new things this past year. They grow up way too fast!

Over the past weekend she really started adding to her vocabulary and putting words together. It's crazy how this stuff just seems to happen overnight. Some of her favorite sayings are "I like it" and "I don't like it". She will try and repeat any word you throw at her. I think she won my Dad over when she called him PaPa for the first time over the holidays.

The Thomas Family 2009

The Thomas Family 2008

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!!!!

Plans changed quickly this Christmas season for us. We were all set, packed and ready to leave for Minnesota like we have done for the past 27 years of my life but this year the weather did not want to cooperate with us. We had an ice storm in Illinois while Minnesota was getting a blizzard (24 inches to be exact). This means we'll just have to have a HUGE 4th of July party in MN instead. The weather will be gorgeous so we can enjoy the lakes and the views while sipping on a cocktail instead of the treacherous roadways. Oh how I miss summer already!

However, we were able to make it to Michigan to celebrate Christmas. Although, we were fighting the ice storm on our way there. Just ask Mike how that went! He hasn't quite gotten down the winter weather just yet. For instance, he tried to bang the ice off our windshield wiper and I thought it was going to fly off but it held on for dear life!


I borrowed this picture from someone else but this is what MI looked like when we woke up on Christmas Eve! Ice everywhere!!!

Christmas Eve the kids got dressed up in their matching pj's (what can I say...my sister and I have great taste and strangely think alike but this will definitely be a tradition now) and headed to bed LATE because of all the excitement of what the morning would bring...

The kids were showered with tons of gifts from Magee and Papa and so were the older adults too! Thanks again for everything!!! We Love You!

Madison would also like to send a special shout out to Grandma and Grandpa Boyum, The Batterton's, Uncle Brian and everyone else who thought of Maddie this Christmas season! We appreciate everyone's thoughtfulness!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Black Friday

I can remember going shopping with my mom the morning of Black Friday for several years. Waking up at 4am to hit all the stores for the "freebies". This year was a brand new experience for us!

We (or just myself) decided it would be a great idea to hit Toys R Us at midnight. They had so many great deals. I looked at the ad for weeks making my shopping list of everything I just had to get.

As my Mom, sister and myself traveled up to Kalamazoo (an hour away) we thought out loud that maybe we should have brought 2 vehicles since we had so much stuff on our lists to get. How quickly that thought faded as we pulled into the parking lot and saw the LONG line to get into the store. After all the years of experience, we honestly thought we were just going to walk in...what were we thinking???

This line was so long it took us an hour to get into the store after the doors opened! (So, it is now 1 in the morning)


Remember, we thought that we were just going to walk right in so we didn't bring any jackets or umbrellas to shield us from the rain or wind that night. I think this explains why I have had a Sinus Infection for 3 weeks now!

I'm still not sure how we stayed motivated to stay in this line for an hour as we slowly got closer to the entrance. There was no way that anything was going to be left. Did we just travel an hour to get to the store and stand in line for another hour in the freezing cold to walk in to nothing left on the shelves? However, we devised a plan that we were all going to go in separate directions to find anything that was on my list.

Once we found a couple of the bigger items my mom stood in the front of the store so we didn't have to haul them around everywhere as my sister was trying to find the end of the line. Who knew this would be the hardest part of the night. This line wrapped around the whole store up and down every aisle! I just kept shopping as my soldiers were stationed at their posts. I ended up finding the Store Manager and Receiving Guy who went in the back room to find EVERYTHING that was on my list. I was shocked! Plus, we were able to add so much more to my pile as we stood in line for over an hour just to check out. (The time after check-out was 3 in the morning)

I would love to share with you everything I got and all the great deals but I would hate to spoil anyone's Christmas surprise from the Boyums! So I'll give you a sneak peak....

We were absolutely exhausted and to now have to drive an hour back home. I'm not sure we'll ever do this again but we sure have some great memories and stories to share! (Arrival back home....4 in the morning!)

Football Tailgate at the Orsini's

Who doesn't love football season!?! So we decided that the Orsini's should host a Football Tailgate Party! We allowed everyone to dress up in their favorite teams jersey and we only had a couple outcasts that didn't wear Bears attire...how dare they!

It turned out to be another gorgeous Fall day. Lucky for us Chicago people...we'll take 50 degrees any day this time of year and wear skirts!

As of late, Maddie has been quite the daddy's girl. I guess this is normal of little girls. When Mike has to go to work in the mornings, Maddie will throw herself at the door begging for him to stay home. It's so sad to see those tears roll down her face but she is quite the actor. The cutest is when she hears the garage door open. She knows her Daddy is home and will run to the door with open arms! Why does she not do this for me!?!

Madison had so much fun playing with all the kids. I love this neighborhood because all the kids are roughly the same age. Here is Miley (19 months), Madison (15 months) and Grace (17 months). Not sure where Izzy (15 months) was...she was being the shy girl since her mom woke her up from nap time early to party!

Thank You Orsini's for hosting a great party! They ordered in food from Ruth's Chris!!! How lucky were we!?! Note to the next host/hostesses: We decided it would be best to have our next get together on a Saturday because there was WAY to much beer leftover. I guess that calls for another party ASAP! Who's in!?!

And what is a party without a few rounds of flip cup!?!? I really need to lay off this beer drinking. Christin is such a bad influence on me! These pictures are showing the beginning stages of "Fat Face" and we all remember that from Atlanta!

My Little Dare Devil

Maddie doesn't understand that she is CRAZY! I know I've mentioned before on the teeter totter picture that it looked like she was falling but in reality she was just getting ready to stand up. I'm sure no one believed me and that I was just covering up for the fact my child was about to fall. I figured I better start taking some pictures of my little dare devil in action. No matter the toy, she finds a way to freak us out and finds it hysterical that her dad is screaming in panic!

Even her shopping cart...she can't push it...she has to sit/stand in it. What will be next!?! I'm sure she'll get herself into many compromising positions this weekend at Magee and Papa's house!!!

Photography

My newest goal is to become this amazing photographer...who knew it was so hard!?! Now I see why they have classes for this. Do I have any volunteers to mentor me???

I've started taking a couple classes at our local camera store but their is just sooo much to learn. I'm excited to watch my progression and who doesn't love a pastime of taking photos of their beautiful baby...I mean toddler!

Here are a couple shots I got of Madison the other day. We took these at a local farm stand.

I've been trying to think of creative shots for Christmas time. Let me know if you have any great ideas. I would love to hear them!

Please leave me a comment and let me know your Christmas Photoshoot ideas!!!!

Best Friends

We took Madison and Miley to the park yesterday because it was such a gorgeous Fall day out. We missed seeing Izzy and Parker though. The girls are at the age where they are beginning to love playing together. Ok, well maybe not yet but it sounded good ;)

I look at them playing together now and think back how they used to just lay on the floor and look at each other. It seems like just yesterday they were born and drinking bottles and eating baby food. I can just picture the two of them being the best of friends in the future. I love watching them play together now. Pretty soon Jill and I will be taking them to the nail salon and the mall...oh goodness!!! We better start saving our pennies now. These girls are going to take us for everything we have!

I know it looks like Maddie is falling here but she's just being a little daredevil these days. She was in the process of standing up with no hands. Do we see a circus career in her future? (It's a good thing Dad wasn't around...he doesn't find this stage so amusing.)

This is Maddie's I've fallin' and I can't get up because I have food in my hand I won't let go of it and I hate getting my hands dirty pose!

I'm looking forward to watching them grow up together and to see what adventures we can get into this winter! I hear gymnastics is in the works. Should be interesting!

No More Bibs!!!

This is a HUGE deal for the Boyum household! For any of you that know Madison, you know she has always been a drooler. A drooler to the point that she must be wearing bibs at all times or her shirt will be soaked in the matter of seconds. For some reason she found it too time consuming to swallow her spit. As of today, we are no longer wearing bibs! I think I found this more exciting then her first steps. Pictures will look so much better without stained mismatching bibs!

Goodbye Bibs! Hello Teeth!

Indian Summer

What a gorgeous weekend it has been! We were able to spend a lot of time outside enjoying the last few rays of sunshine until the snow comes in. Madison enjoyed playing at the park in a sundress and having the breeze fly through her hair while laughing in the swing. It's becoming more of a workout at the park that she now wants to do more then just swing. Our rotation is usually swinging, slide, walk around while she tries her darnedest to keep up with the other toddlers and then teeter toter.

Halloween

Madison was the cutest Minnie Mouse I had ever seen but its too bad she didn't feel the same way I did :)

This year we only took her to a few houses around our neighborhood just to say she went Trick or Treating. I promise next year we'll do it right because by then she'll know what candy is! My mom was in town because she was kind enough to babysit Maddie so Mike and I could be kids and get all dressed up and go out on the town to celebrate his and Becky's birthday.


Madison is now officially a copycat. She will try and copy anything we do or say. It is the cutest stage yet. She will copy everything from mouth gestures (clicking your tongue, kisses, blowing bubbles, etc.) to the way we walk (stomping, jumping, walking backwards, etc.). She still loves to give big open mouth slobbery kisses and I will always love to receive them!

Some of the words Maddie can say are:

• Mama

• Dada (favorite word...I'm a bit jealous)
  

• Thank You

• Hi (whenever she holds a phone up to her ear)

• Daisy
  

• Up

• Cheese (with the biggest smile ever)

• Baby
  

Other cute things Maddie does:

• Wave Hi and Bye

• Scrunch her hand together for "More"

• Shake her head "No" when shes all done with something

• Blows kisses

• Claps

• Winks (at least tries to but ends up shutting both eyes really tight)
  

Hotlanta!

We went to Atlanta this past weekend for my BFF's wedding. We flew down Wednesday so we could spend some time with Mike's parents.

Madison had so much fun at their house. They now are proud parents to 4 dogs! Madison loved playing with their 2 chihuahua's. They spent all day running around the backyard chasing each other. I'm not sure how Suk Hui influenced Mike but Maddie got one of her first tastes of candy, chocolate to be exact, that she is addicted to now but who isn't!?!

Madison with Sophie and Shorty

Madison with Lennox...sorry Lucky we didn't mean to forget about you!

On Friday, Dennis was kind enough to haul us all up to Atlanta for the Burzynski/Thaxton wedding. I must say that this was a challenge to try and get everything we brought up there! We ended up having to rent a van for the day! Sonia met us at the hotel as her and Suk Hui were our babysitters for the weekend. Madison loved their company. They did a good job of listening to our instructions. It's very simple to keep Maddie happy...Feed Her!!!!

We owe you both! This surely was a lifesaver and you all are very much appreciated for all your help!!!!!

The wedding was beautiful and the bride was gorgeous but we didn't expect any less! We were sad to leave all of our friends and family on Sunday but excited to be back home to relax before I have to head off to Michigan for a week long Sales Conference.

Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Thaxton!!!!!! We Love You Both!!!!!

Michigan Fall Festivities

We went to Michigan this past weekend to visit Magee and Papa and enjoyed all the Fall colors! Maddie loved exploring the outdoors with the nice cool brisk breeze. Thanks Magee and Papa for everything! We love you!

We were able to make a trip to Jollay Orchards and enjoy the traditional fall activities. As the girls get older it gets easier and easier to take pictures of all 3 of them together. Now we just have to work on coordinating smiles!

This was Maddie's first time going apple picking and as you can tell below the apples were a weeeee bit tart! We went later this year so there were no more Honeycrisp apples left (our favorite) *** tear :'( *** Only baking apples were left to pick.

What is October without going pumpkin picking!?! Madison of course picked out the biggest pumpkin they had in their field. That's my girl! We'll be carving pumpkins hopefully in a couple weeks so those pictures will be coming. I know that's kind of late but we have a SUPER busy October.

I think Maddie's favorite part of the whole day was the "petting zoo" The animals loved her and she loved them right back. She couldn't get enough of the little guys. She was able to feed goats, piglets, sheep and ducks.

The funniest part of the whole trip was when we were doing bath time on the last night. We could tell Mads was working on a #2 so we quickly and frantically threw her onto the toilet and sure enough...she used the toilet!!! I'll save you guys the picture but you better believe there is one out there of Maddie's first #2! She sure is going to love me when she gets older. :)

Maddie Loves....

giving open mouth slobbery kisses.

sitting in our laps and reading books, especially ones with musical buttons.

carrying balls in both of her hands at all times.

grapes, bananas, cheese and yogurt.

Daisy (someone has to make up for the lack of love Mike gives Daisy).

going for walks.

the park.

staring at other kids.

drinking water out of Daddy's bottle instead of her sippy cup.

helping me put away the silverware from the dishwasher.

going to Magee and Papa's house.

getting massaged at night on her couch from Daddy before bedtime.

spending time with her cousins.

Sonia and Axel's Visit

We were so fortunate enough this past weekend to have Sonia (Mike's sister) and Axel (Sonia's husband) visit. Maddie loved their company. She could not get enough time with them. She loved sitting on Sonia's lap while she read her some of Maddie's favorite books.



Friday we just hung out around the house having great conversations and letting Axel try and prove to us he could eat a Medium Deep Dish pizza which was NOT a success. Maybe next time. :)

Saturday we headed down to the city to do some sightseeing and to check out the Field Museum. Once again we were surprised at how well Maddie enjoyed herself. I really think she just entertained herself by beating on the glass displays...good thing we went in the morning so there wasn't too big of crowds wondering why we were letting our child touch the dinosaur displays!



She took a 30 minute cat nap during the Ancient Times People Tour (I think Mike and I could have joined her) but was ready to go again when she woke up.



After spending a few hours at the museum we headed down to find some lunch and do some more sightseeing. We unfortunately had to head back up to the suburbs and leave Axel and Sonia to finish up on their own. It won't be a long good bye as we will be able to see all of Georgia in October!!!!

Lincoln Park Zoo

I really need to learn to Blog more often so I'm not spending a whole day playing catch up :)

A couple weeks ago Mike and I decided to travel into the city and take Madison on her first trip to the zoo (actually, she has been to a zoo already but she was still in my stomach at the time so I don't count it).

Maddie loved the zoo! Here she is at the edge of her seat just itching to get inside.



We saw so many animals. It was a gorgeous day outside. Not too hot with a nice cool breeze! We saw lions, tigers and bears. Oh my! Madison's favorite were the monkeys. I think she enjoyed watching them jump around and chase each other.



The part Mike and I could not get over is that the zoo was FREE. So if anyone is looking for something entertaining to do with your children...head on down to the Lincoln Park Zoo!

After spending quality time with the animals we went to Gino's East to have a Chicago style deep dish at the original location (so we thought). Maddie LOVES pizza just like her momma! She could eat it all day everyday.

Aubery's 3rd Birthday Party

Happy 3rth Birthday Aubery!

I can't believe how fast you have grown up. From swinging in baby swings to Elmo and now to my little ponies. Next it will be princesses, talking on the phone and boys (watch out Becky and Joe...you have your hands full).
I am so lucky to have 2 beautiful nieces that live so close to me so I can watch them grow up and become young ladies!



Madison was so excited to go and play with her cousins and friends. She loves all the excitement from the kids screaming and running around and can't wait for the day where she can keep up with them!



The kids popped a hole in a blow up house but they ended up having more fun getting pulled around on it anyways. Even Maddie joined in on the fun and loved it. Haley was being such a good big cousin and holding on to Maddie so she wouldn't fall off. Daddy got tired pretty quick as kids just kept jumping on.

Walking and No More Bottles!

Over Labor Day weekend Madison became a toddler!
She is a "true" walker now! It still surprises me when I'm doing something in the other room and I hear her walking into the kitchen now instead of a loud stampede of elephants crawling in to see what she can get in to. Daddy was supposed to baby proof the house this weekend but I think we will have to wait until Papa comes to visit for this to happen ;)



We also took the bottles away! I thought this was going to be a nightmare of a task. Who would have thought that she wouldn't mind this? I think this is always harder for the parents then it is for the kids because we just don't want to see them grow up!

Madison's 1 Year Appointment

Madison had her 1 year appointment on August 17th with Dr. Brown (the drill Sargent and Mike's best friend) and everything looks great! She's developmentally right on track or even in some cases exceeding expectations. She should start walking soon as she already is taking 5 to 6 steps between Mike and I. She stands alone and "cruises" around the house.
She weighed in at almost 25 lbs. which puts her in the 94% and was 30" long and in the 75%. She is definitely in 18 month clothes now and I am afraid that 2T will shortly follow...that just sounds so old!
Dr. Brown gave us the green light to get rid of all the bottles and bring in the cows milk. What a transition this will be. We are trying to find a couple of days where we can start this but I guess there is never a better time then now. This will be the hardest on me I'm sure!
She still has her bottom 2 teeth and her 4 top teeth are really coming in now...she has learned how to bite which is NOT a good thing.
She had to get her finger pricked to check her iron which she hated (thank goodness Daddy was there). It seemed to take forever but it all checked out fine and also had to get 3 shots. My poor little Binky! Our next appointment will be her 15 month in November but we will have to swing in in October for her flu shot.

Madison's 1st Birthday Party

We celebrated Maddie's 1st birthday party with close friends and family at our house. We are so very blessed to have such great family and special friends who came out to help us celebrate.

Toljabee Ceremony

We did the traditional Toljabee table ceremony which is a Korean custom. You put a book (scholar), ruler (good with hands), money (wealth), spool of thread (long life) and rice (wealthy but spouse will make the money) on a table. The first 2 things they grab will predict their future.

Mike showed Madison all the items and of course she went directly for the rice. Mike acted like we didn't start yet so again she grabbed the rice the second time around. Then, she immediately went for the book.

The Cake

Madison wasn't too interested in eating her cake. She had a couple nibbles and that was it. I think I ended up being a bigger mess then Maddie. I didn't want the cake go to waste so I fed all the kids like they were my baby birds. I was handing out handfuls of cake to all the kids. I'm sure their parents loved me!

Presents Galore

Maddie received some great birthday gifts. She got clothes, books, money, gift cards, savings bonds, toys and money for her education (know we are going to need that since she is going to be a scholar).

One of her favorite gifts was her giant playland with tunnels and balls to play with from her Magee and Papa. She also loved her maracas from the Orsini's and was instantly attracted to a shiney silver rattle and rings Mike and I got her. We are also so thankful for the great start on her savings for college that Grandma and Grandpa Boyum have started!

Thanks Again!

Thanks for everyone coming out to celebrate Princess Maddie's 1st birthday! We had a ton of fun as we hope you all did as well! Plus, what is a birthday party without flip cup!?! I'll reserve those pictures for a later post ;)