Madd Max Has A Happy New Years Eve

When the Findleys came to pick up their girls, and then stayed for champagne, Trader Joe's appetizers and Moscow Mules.  Not bad at all.

Madd Max Goes Selling

The gift Maddie was wishing for the most at Christmas was a wagon and 2 yard sticks.  To make the above.

Back in NZ, Gwen and she drew a bunch of comics with the plan to sell them in Burbank.

Once Madd told Ellie, Ellie and Fiona wanted in.  As they searched for customers, Fiona yelled, "Comics!  Comics for sale!" followed by Ellie's, "All originals!"

Luckily, they found a very interested customer, and were also able to sell to a Dad on the bike path and their babysitter, Natalie - selling out of their stock.

Slappy Hates Her Lunch

Ingesting the pasta by the millimeter.  At one point, Jess told Maddie that she would have to "Eat three more bites.  I know it might kill you, but I'm willing to take the chance."  This made Max whisper to Jess, "You wouldn't really do that, right Mom?"

Madd Max Take The Tios To California Adventure

Matching kitty sweatshirts courtesy of Tio Greg.

In front of "Daddy's Ride", as the kids called it (Sam having worked on Guardians of the Galaxy).

Good times waiting on line for Maddie's first upside-down roller coaster.

She loved it.

Thor and Loki.

Tia Jess' father passed away before he ever got to visit the Cars ride, something he had wanted to do - her family being big Disney aficionados.  The fam chose California Adventure specifically for this reason, and Tia Jess made sure to get a photo with Mater and ride that Cars ride. 

Family hugs.

And two kitties at the end of the night.

Side note: At the end of the evening, the kids were begging for pins from one of the Disney stores.  Jess told them, "We are not buying one more thing, but you know what you have to take with you... the memories."  Max's reply, "Yeah, but you can't put memories on a backpack."

Madd Max Heads To The Huntington Gardens

 Tio Greg's favorite destination on their Cali visit.

 The sonic pool.

 Chinese gardens.

And a sundial for Tio Greg to explain.

Slappy Is Sick

After the flu passed thru Dozee, Tia Jess, Jess and Uncle Wills, Maddie was the next to go down.  She still dug watching Homestar Runner with Tio Greg on the couch.

Slappy Gets Help

Before Mimi headed out, she jumped in to aid a sick Maddie with a part of her book report - making a portrait of Michael Jackson.  Mimi compared it to the challenges she loves about making costumes.

Madd Max Have A Last Family Day

Where Dozee was finally able to rejoin the family.

Dozee.

And more DnD was played.

2 movies were seen that day.  First, the adult kids, minus Tia Jess, saw The Disaster Artist.  Then, the fam minus Dozee, Aunt Ally and Uncle Wills, who were getting sick, went to see Jumanji.  Both movies were very much enjoyed.

Madd Max Have A Christmas Afternoon

A visit with Toby.

Chinese lunch.

Present opening.

Lots.

And lots.

Of.

Present.

Opening.

And another gift from Maddie.  She clarified that she meant Nasty People in the Hillary Nasty Woman context.

Madd Max Has A Christmas Morning

 Sibs.

 Waiting for Grandparent arrival is such sweet sorrow.

 Grandmothers.  (Dozee got a bad flu the day before and had to remain in Taisie's studio for the day).

 Christmas sofa.

 Christmas chair.

Christmas breakfast by Sam - cinnamon rolls and deconstructed eggs benedict.

Madd Max Head To Bed

Note and treats for Santa on the table.

Close-up of said note.

The children are nestled, snug in their beds.

Madd Max Celebrate Christmas Eve

With a croquembouche - something both Taisie and Mimi brought up separately to make as a celebratory dessert.  It was grandmother kismet. 

When Great Aunt Lulu and family arrived, Maddie excitedly gave them a gift she had made to present to the family.

This is what they read out loud, and Maddie was super pleased.

Max was thrilled at the return of Spencer, and got him outside to play ball ASAP.

Great Uncle Jeff and Great Aunt Lulu with Tia Jess and Tio Greg.

Taisie.

Maddie with her white wine aka water with yellow food coloring.

In discussing Christmas traditions, Faber brought up the Kelly tradition of charades, which was quickly embraced.  Here Uncle Wills and the kiddos map out strategy for the game.

Great Aunt Lu is up for her team.

Max's turn.

The Page/Smyth/Kelly clan and one blond zombie.