Christmas 2015 with our beautiful kids!

Christmas Eve 2014, Madelyn is prepping the yard by sprinkling reindeer feed all around the yard!  She made sure to sprinkle just a little bit ALL over!

Still prepping - cookies made specially by Madelyn, and milk, out and ready for the big guy, reindeer pjs on, looks like we are all set!  Madelyn, you had a little trouble going to bed...you got up a few times claiming, "Santa woke me up, is he here?"

Thanks Grandma Ellis for being on top of the stockings!  They're hung on the fireplace with care :)  Always a great memory of my Grandma Bergmooser when we pull mine out which is an original made by her; my mom took on the tradition and has made them for the rest of our family. 

SANTA CAME!!!! Colin you were pumped, luckily Madelyn was able to help you open your gifts, and we promise she did a great job, if your name was on the gift we told her, she opened it for you right at your side and gave it to you :)  best big sister!  You loved the puppets Santa brought for you!

Colin you stayed attentive when Madelyn got to her gifts! 

To Madelyn and Colin from Santa, YOU GOT A KITCHEN!!!!  Not just any kitchen, a beautiful wooden kitchen with counter space, an oven, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave and a chefs outfit!

Busy Christmas day full of fun, excitement and family love!  

All hopped up on Christmas spirit these kiddos had a blast playing 

Colin had a wonderful first Christmas and we are so lucky this year to have 2 beautiful kids to celebrate with.

Just a couple of dudes hanging out in sleepers...being adorable

Grandma showing off Colin's strong legs :)

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Ellis for the cool art easel!  It's the perfect addition to the kids activity area in the basement!  Madelyn colors, paints, and does chalk drawings while Mommy works out, and when a song she likes comes on she drops what she's doing to do a little dance and run around :)

Madelyn and Colin, you are beautiful, we love you both so much.  The joy you bring to us every day is something that I can't even describe; watching you each on your own in your own element, watching you together interacting, it's the best thing and you continue to amaze us every day. 

Mr. Colin with your sweet smile, loving eyes and spikey hair...you melt our heart.  You usually sit in your bouncy while we eat dinner, and just a simple look in your direction brings a sweet smile to your face, we look away, then look back, and there it is again!  You're amazing, you're handsome, and  we love you so much. 

Colin you had your 4 month appointment, Dr. Madelyn made sure she came along to make sure your doctor was doing his job, she gave you a check up and then the Doctor came in and let her use all of his tools too! 15lbs 11oz, you're 45% which makes you as perfect on paper as you are in our hearts.  

Ongoing adventures of Madelyn and Colin - prepping for the holidays!

We finally got some snow for Madelyn to get outside and enjoy; she enjoyed riding in her sled, building a snowman and learning to make snow angels with Daddy!

Happy Thanksgiving 2015, we are thankful for each other; we have such a beautiful family and are so blessed every day. 

Madelyn and Colin got a visit from The Kindness Bears, Santa sent them to hang out until Christmas and every day they decided to show up and do fun things with the kids, help with chores, bake cookies, write letters; they were a great reminder of how lucky we are and how it's important to do nice things and enjoy our time together!

Time to decorate for Christmas 2015!  Star Wars Christmas was playing in the background, this year Madelyn was super into helping set up and hang ornaments on the tree.  

Mother nature has been kind so far, allowing us to enjoy some snow but also tons of sunshine and mild days to get outside!  Madelyn helped Daddy hang some Christmas lights outside on this beautiful day! 

I love my kids, and get tons of pictures of them together...for every one cute pic there is a reel of 10 to 20 out takes that didn't make the cut, some of those are the best!  This one in particular is a personal favorite, could be captioned many different ways....
Madelyn's probably thinking...Maybe Mom doesn't notice that I'm squeezing him harder than normal....
Colin:  "Mom, why does she have her arm around me again???"

Colin:  "AGAIN MOM?!?"
Madelyn: "OH MY GODDNESS, DOESN'T COLIN LOOK CUTE IN HIS SANTA HAT!?

Take 15, cute picture of my kids in their Christmas best :)

Our BEAUTIFUL daughter

Colin you are in good hands, your dad and I of course, but Madelyn also is very attentive to you, when you get up from your nap she likes to get in your crib and snuggle you and read to you. 

Another oddly nice day in December, first walk together in a double stroller with our kids hanging side by side!

Santa visit!  Colin you really liked the big guy, Madelyn you braved the visit, you didn't want to sit with Santa but were there to support Colin by holding his hand :)

Babys first Christmas! 

Daddy and Aunt Lisas Bday dinner, hanging with Lilly

Colin you get so may compliments on your hair, it was laying flat and then one day, BAM, spikey!

December 18, 2015 Happy 4 months Colin!

Future baker on our hands; 12/23/15 we made our cookies and baked them, 12/24/15, Christmas Eve morning we woke up and decorated them all!  I think this may be a tradition we start because you LOVED it Madelyn.  You favored the red sprinkles, you did a great job putting buttons on the snowmen, and decorated all the cookies beautifully!

Happy 3 months and Happy baptism Colin!

Colin and Madelyn, watching the two of you interact is by far one of the biggest joys Daddy and I experience.  Madelyn you are so caring, always wanting to snuggle Colin, protect him, entertain him, whatever it takes; you are very attentive to him and I know your heart must be so big when I see the way you are with him.   Colin, it amazes me to see you watch your sister, sometimes when you're crying and she comes over to try to console you I think, no way, he's not going to like that...and a moment later you're smiling watching your big sister.  You guys love each other, you need each other and I hope as you grow you will always remember that. 

11/18/15 Colin you are 3 months, you're 14lbs 3oz, you babble and coo A LOT.  I can't sugar coat it, you still are a fussy little guy but you love to snuggle and be with your Mommy, Daddy and big sister.  You just recently started sitting in your exersaucer and bouncy in the doorway, overachiever, these toys say 6 months as the age but you like to show off and this must mean you will be very athletic :)

You LOVE to try to put your whole hand in your mouth, suck on your fingers, and drool all over your shirt! 

11/21/15 We had some very special visitors for Colin's baptism!  The Fox family came to celebrate, your Great Aunt Kathleen did us the honor of being your godmother and Uncle Jim, Kaitlyn, Courtney and Megan had a blast playing with you Madelyn!  You both got showered with your Christmas presents; tons of Anna and Elsa for Madelyn, and Madelyn you had your first sleep over with your cousin Megan!

Getting you all dressed for your special day!

This is what handsome looks like; this was your Daddy's baptism outfit and we are so happy you were able to wear it for yours.   

Your godmother, Aunt Kathy, loves you very much!  And you must know that, she had a talk with you before baptism and told you not to cry and you listened!  Maybe Aunt Kathy should call before bed every night...before you were born we visited the Fox family and had a long talk about what it meant to be a god parent, she didn't know it then but it had been decided before you were even born that she would be your god mother.  We know that she will always be there to guide you as she has been such a positive person in my life, she will continue to be one in yours too :)

Baptism chucks for Daddy's little guy :)

Your so lucky to have our friend Mr. Tim as your godfather, he came with his son Dez to be a part of your day and he loves you very much!  You are such a lucky guy to have this wonderful man as someone to always look up to and be a role model for you in your life.  Tim has always been a true friend to your Daddy and me, he is trustworthy, hard working, and a wonderful dad which is why we are honored, and you are blessed that he took on the role of your godfather :)

Don't worry Colin, that water was a relaxing 85 degrees when you were dipped into it naked for your baptism :)

Proud god parents!

A big celebration for our Mr. Colin!  All of your family came to continue the celebration of your baptism and you were a perfect host.  You spent time with your guests before heading to your crib to catch a few Zzzzzs.  

Madelyn as always, you looked beautiful, you were perfectly behaved to not steal any thunder from your brother at his baptism, Mommy and Daddy are very proud :)

Uncle Jimbo having some Colin snuggles 

Grandma and Grandpa Hergott with their grandkids looking all fancy!

Speaking of looking fancy, Uncle Ken didn't look to shabby posing for a pic with his nephew :)

Colin, it snowed over a foot the night of your baptism and we still had EVERYONE show up!  You are loved, your aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and god parents were all there to support you.