A Texas Christmas

Maddie and I flew to Texas the day after Christmas ... and Maddie didn't skip a beat. We walked into Nana and Teddy's house. There were, of course, presents under the tree. Madeleine Claire literally walked in, made a bee line for the tree and started unwrapping presents ... yes, without asking or even telling anyone what was about to happen. Force of habit by now, I guess.

She and Katie opened up the make up and went to town.


I mean ... seriously. Could she any more a Katie-Summer hybrid?
... nail polish ... they both look very comfortable in their princess gear, don't they?
.... more presents to go ...



Nana got Maddie her own rollie bag ... sorry ... PRINCESS rollie bag. What was inside? A princess pillow and a princess blanket.

... Manish wanted to play princess too.
Must reapply, right?

Maddie decided Amy needed her nails done.
Maddie got a new mug all her own ... and what was on it? You will NEVER guess ... trucks! ... oh, no wait ... I mean princesses. And let's just say, the next few photos capture just how much she loved the mug!
the excitement builds ...
... and builds ...
and is not totally out of control!
ahhhhh ....
The next morning, Nana busted out some letter cookies just for Maddie.
That night, we had a Lazarides Christmas (although all the presents had been opened). Maddie put on her beautiful red dress from Summer and even let me take a few photos.



Yiayia, Papou, Cristina and Alexandra all came over. Maddie and Alexandra shared Yiayia's wagon.

I told Maddie that we had to take a photo in front of the tree before we could open any more presents. Well, that was all she needed to hear. She literally ran to the tree and stood there waiting for everyone ... seriously!
Everyone eventually showed up, and we got a nice family photo.
Turns out there are always more presents at a grandparent's house.
We sang Happy Birthday to Papou ... I snapped this photo and I just love it. He looks very happy to have his whole family around.
Then Maddie took her clothes off and put on wine slippers.
That night, she and Katie shared a champagne toast. Nana found an old plastic champagne glass for Maddie's apple juice.

Loves her aunties.

The next day, Maddie and I went over to visit the Puig boys (I guess they are the Williams boys ... but they are the Puig boys to me ... sorry Jeff!). It was so nice to meet baby Oscar and see how much Lincoln has grown!


The next day, we went over to Yiayia and Papou's house for a little visit. Maddie and Alexandra got a ride in Yiayia's buggie again.

That night, Uncle Ryan came over for some SERIOUS fun. They played Barbie
and Maddie's new favorite game ... Hungry Hungry Hippos!
The one cat who has managed to escape Maddie is Spikey. Manish tried to help, but there was no luck.
The next morning, they snuggled in Nana and Teddy's bed with Noisy ... and the dollies.
Vanessa, Lincoln and Oscar came over for another little visit.
After a little nap, Maddie snuggled with Noisy.
... big smooch...
... and a pose ...
... how long has it been since we reapplied?


On our last day, Katie and Maddie when for a little tricycle ride.
We had a wonderful trip in Houston. It was nice and warm and we had so much fun spending time with everyone. It went too fast.