Stella's 12-month Photos

Could she be any more perfect?! 

Stella's First Christmas

Christmas with a baby was absolutely perfect!  Stella got completely spoiled, but deserved every ounce of it.  Santa treated her very well, and I know it is because she was such a sweet, perfect girl this year!  I feel so blessed that our circumstances allowed us to provide her and our other family members with such a great Christmas this year.  I know she is too tiny to even know what went on this Christmas, or to even remember any of it, but it was still such a special time for our family.

Growing up, my family always got a gift on Christmas Eve until all of the kids in my family were grown, and it was always pajamas.  So we decided to continue that tradition with our new little family.  

 She quickly figured out how to unwrap gifts, and then instantly tried to eat all of the paper.

Seriously...is this not the cutest hat you have ever seen?  She only makes it cuter, too.

All ready for bed!

We then woke up the next morning to see that Santa had definitely made his way to our house!  All of my siblings and my grandma came over to my parents' house for breakfast and gifts.  

Stella's pile....can you say "spoiled"?  She got so many new toys, books, and clothes...everything an 11-month-old could ever need right?

We gave my parents this beautiful nativity that my mom has had her eye on.  I think it was a hit!

In my family, most of our Christmas gifts were based around one thing....we get to go on a trip to Hawaii in October!!  We could not be more excited.  Josh has never been to Hawaii, so I think he is thrilled!  We were all given some luggage, the girls were given a beach bag, and the boys were given a hat and a round of golf at one of the most beautiful golf courses while we are there.  Let the countdown begin! :)

We then hurried to get ready and head over to Josh's parents for lunch and more gifts.  It looks like Santa made it to the Madsen home as well!

The kids chipped in to get Scott a new golf bag...

And Kerri some new workout gear.  

All of the Madsen boys got embroidered cases for their guns.  Now Josh finally has a place to keep his gun at our house, instead of taking up space at his parents' house.  

Grandma and Grandpa gave Stella some adorable new clothes, a book, and toys.  This girl must be loved!

We then played some Christmas bingo.  I never won a single game!  But Josh won some hair gel - probably the best prize there was.

 We hope your Christmas was as wonderful as ours.  

Merry Christmas from the Madsen family!  

Holiday Happenings

December is always a wonderful month, but this year it was extra special because we had Stella with us for the first time!  We were able to enjoy a lot of fun holiday happenings that December brings.  We started off the month by seeing the lights at Thanksgiving Point.  Sadly, we didn't make it to Temple Square this year...every night that we had available seemed to be WAY too cold to go out.  But Thanksgiving Point is great because you get to stay in your car the whole time and just slowly drive through.  Stella was fascinated by all of the twinkling lights that surrounded us.

We had the annual Greenwell family Ornament Party on December 9th at my parents' house.  We always have soups and goodies, and then play the ornament exchange game (basically a white elephant exchange but with ornaments instead).  This is always a fun tradition, and we ended up with some good ones this year!

Stella especially loved playing in all of the tissue and wrapping paper.

 On the 16th, we made the trip down to Manti for the Cox family Christmas Party.  We enjoyed good food and good company, most of whom we don't get to see more than a couple of times each year.  We played and sang Christmas carols together (why I have no pictures of this moment, I have no idea!) and then played the favorite dart game.  We each took turns throwing darts at the balloons, all of which have a piece of paper with different amounts of money written on them, ranging anywhere from $1 to $50.  Josh and I together won a total of $7.  You could say we didn't come out on top this year ;)  But it was still very much worth the trip!  Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Cox for providing us with this fun tradition every year.  It is a favorite...and not only because of the money involved!

Later that week we headed to Heidi and Jason's house for a night of dinner, gingerbread house decorating, and games. We first started this tradition last year and it has been so fun!  Heidi and Jason are such wonderful hosts and are so gracious for providing dinner and gingerbread houses (or in our case, a train) for all of us.  

I loved every second of this Holiday Season.  The joy that it brings to everyone is always so uplifting and inspiring to me.  Plus, having a little one makes it that much more enjoyable.  I wish it could be Christmastime all the time!  I hope your holidays were as wonderful as ours.  Here's to next year!