Finally......Kids!

As you may have read in a previous post, the Maderas were going to have some excitement this week! Well, I know a lot of you have been asking and I won't keep you in suspense any longer. Chris and I got to have his two younger children for the holiday!!!! As some of you may know (and I won't go into detail), we've had a VERY rough time in the past to see these kids, but prayers, patience and being good people pay off! :-) We got to pick the kids up Christmas Eve morning at the airport and they will be staying with us till New Year's Eve morning!
The oldest is Nicholas and he is 10 and then there is Samantha who is 7. Chris and I are having a GREAT time with these two kids. Here are a few pictures from their arrival. We'll have a great week with them, make sure you check in on us.....

Samantha, Daddy, Nicholas

Daddy and Samantha

Nicholas

Nicholas, Julie, and Samantha

Merry Christmas!

Chris and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas with Great Friends!

This past Friday, Chris and I spent the evening with our greatest friends, Krissy and Blake. Krissy's dad and step-mom were so kind to have hosted a get together. It was great to see everyone again, especially around the holidays. Krissy, Blake, Chris and I exchanged gifts, we ate great food and enjoyed some drinks. It was a little sad to say good-bye this time knowing the next time we'll see them won't be till March! :-( I'm going to try and squeeeeeze a visit in there somewhere!
Here are some shots from our evening together....enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Me, Michele (Krissy's step-mom), and Krissy

Dave (Krissy's dad), Chris, Gale (Blake's dad), and Blake

Friends catching up......

The Greatest of Friends!

This is what happens after a night of eating and drinking..... :-)

Busy, Hectic, and Stressed......

I think my title pretty much sums up the last couple of weeks for me! I know I haven't posted in awhile, but with the holidays and other stressful things going on, I just haven't had the time.
I would like to add, I'm defiantly ready for the holiday. I'm done shopping and everything is wrapped!
I will be posting this weekend, Krissy and Blake are coming home this weekend and we'll be spending the evening with them and her family tomorrow evening! Also, not only is Christmas next week but the Madera household will have some excitment....stay tuned to find out what it may be!! :-)

Under Construction....

I know our Blog looks a little different and missing some things, please be patient while it's under construction. The posts should not be affected, so please continue to check on us! :-)

Our trip to NC!

This was a great weekend away from home. Not only did Chris and I get away from the snow and cold for a few days, we got to see our good friends Krissy and Blake down in North Carolina!
Chris and I both took Friday off of work and traveled Thursday night to go spend a long weekend with our friends. If you remember I published a post that Krissy and Blake moved down there in the middle of September.
We both had a great time. Friday we got to see a little bit of Charlotte and went to an amazing Outlet Mall. Everything you could imagine was in this place. Later that evening we went UPtown (yes, down there they don't call it downtown, it's uptown-I thought that was goofy) for dinner, dancing, and drinks. It was a great evening!
Saturday we did some more 'going around town' and then stopped for lunch. Later in the afternoon, Blake took me for a ride on their crotch rocket, that was a blast! :) I might add that it was 73 degrees outside!! :) We just hung out and played Wii (which is very fun for those of you that have never played)! In the evening Krissy and Blake made us a wonderful dinner and then we played rummy. Blake thought he was the 'grand master', but we all showed him up!!
It was a great weekend and hated to see it end. Krissy and Blake are GREAT host/hostess. They have a beautiful home and I can't wait to go back! Thanks for having us and for everything you did! We love you and will see you VERY soon!
P.S. Thanks mom and dad for dog sitting for us!

Hope you all enjoy the pictures......

Krissy Bowling with the Wii

Blake and Chris playing Baseball with the Wii

Chris and I boxing each other on the Wii (I won)!

Before heading Uptown!

At dinner

Blake and I getting ready....

See ya.... :)

Krissy and Blake making us dinner

MMMmmm...doesn't that look good?! :)

Thanks Krissy andBlake for everything! :)

Hartville

It's becoming a family tradition to travel out to Hartville every December. For those of you that don't know what's out there or what it is, it's basically a Amish market and restaurant. There are thousands of vendors, knickknacks, homemade clothes, food, candy, pretty much anything you could imagine! It defiantly takes an entire day to walk through. After the long day of shopping we always go over to the Hartville Kitchen. It's as down home cooking as you can get!
This year Aunt Diane, Uncle Ted and cousins Brittany and Jessica joined us as well. Unfortunately Chris had guard this weekend and missed out. So yesterday was another great day spent with the family.

Jen and I stopping for a pose!

Bella enjoying a sucker

Doesn't Bella have enough stuff?!

Kevin....need I say more, LOL! :-)

Dad and Uncle Ted taking a break from shopping

Awww....Bella giving Papa a kiss!

Aunt Dee Dee and Bella

Mom, can I get one of these?! :-)

What a great looking family!!