Exterior Illumination - Update

Well, I've completed the front... another 16 strands of lights, plus two lighted tree assemblies... for a grand total of 4600 dazzling lights around our house! I'll take some pics tonight. Only one spousal grievance on the project: very minor issue, you cannot use the microwave (or hair dryer, etc...) while the lights are illuminated-- or you blow a fuse. No biggie right?

My proposal -- don't use the microwave from 5:00-11:30pm.

Long story short on that one, I'm going to be making some modifications to the electrical routing next week... I chose to concede on the issue.




While I was finishing up the exterior - Mom, Dylan, and Maddie were fixin' up the interior. Maddie provided a helping hand while Dylan watched from the ground level.

Maddie - Recent Notable Highlights

While we were at our favorite coffee house one morning, in walks a "Stone Cold" look-a-like with a large tattoo on his neck:

Maddie (yelling out loud, while pointing directly at the man): Mom! Look at that, look at that picture there on that guy's neck!

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Sleigh Ride was playing on the radio in the car: Giddy yup, giddy yup, giddy yup let's go. Let's look at the show...

At the same time, Maddie was singing her version: "Kiddy cup, kiddy cup, kiddy cup let's go.... this is the kiddy cup song!"


Mom decoded these lyrics, I had no idea what our princess was belting out at the time.
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Techno-Savvy....

Maddie has learned to conquer the Animal Matching game on the iPhone all by herself.




...she also has been playing on the laptop more. We'll sit down together and pull up Google Images, and after we type in her request for an animal, favorite toy, or any other random item she's thinking of - - Maddie will then move the mouse over the image, click the button, and expand the picture all by herself.

Exterior Illumination

Immediately after Thanksgiving -- every year -- I watch Christmas Vacation... a minimum of five times leading up to the 25th. This is probably a decade long tradition at this point. I haven't watched it yet this year, but got a little ahead of myself over the last weekend. I've been waiting years to show off my exterior illumination skills to my kids... I couldn't wait. With one side complete -- 15 strands of 2000+ lights now compliment our house.... and that was just the side. Over the long weekend, I plan on knocking down the front.

Maddie came out to sneak a peak.

More Pics of Little D

Just relaxin' in the tub

This one reminds me of his Uncle.

Relaxing weekend

A pretty quiet weekend for the most part... Isabella (2+ years) and Alexandra (~8 months) stopped by to play yesterday. Maddie and Isabella had a good time as usual -- chasing each other around the house and playing with the ever-growing collection of dolls.

As for the latest Dylan update: he weighed in at 12lbs. 4 oz. just over a week ago. He's starting to sleep in 4-6 hour blocks at night, and the little guy still has blue eyes.

Big Girl Bed

Maddie made the leap to her big girl bed this weekend, she was probably ready for it months ago... but we weren't ready for it yet. Thanks to her cautious behavior, there were never any attempts to climb out of the crib... why make the switch right?

So yesterday I fixed up the crib with the new rail and we prepped Maddie for her first nap in the big girl bed. Our only instructions for her prior to the nap - - do not climb out of the bed. 2PM rolled around and we put her down just like we always do.... not a peep (or sounds of rummaging) for 2 hours. I went in around 4PM and she was in a daze laying in her bed... still half asleep, but awake and ready to get out. There appeared to be quite a few dolls and toys in the bed with her too.

It takes our princess a good 15 minutes to defrost after a nap, she usually sits on one of our laps and enjoys some quiet time... she does not like to be disturbed. About 5 minutes into her quiet time on my lap:


Maddie (in a whisper): Daddy, I have to tell you something.

Dad: Really, what is it Maddie?

Maddie (again in a whisper): I got out and got my babies and got back in.



She fessed up! Our little girl couldn't keep the secret... the baby dolls on the floor were too tempting, they had to join her in the new bed. But I must say, the transition was seamless. The first night was equally successful as well. When we went in to get her this morning, the first thing she said: "I stayed in my crib, I didn't get out". A big milestone, what a big girl!

More Halloween Pics - MI Installment

We managed to get a rare family photo along with a ton of other pics. Maddie dressed up as Cinderella and Dylan was sporting a black Halloween onesie for the big day. A fun time was had by all.

Our Princess.




Maddie and her friend Ethan walking to the next house for another treat.




This was from last weekend at Blake's cider mill. We took a quick trip out there for some warm donuts and refreshments.