Once Upon a Dream...

The things I do for the kids I love. My friend Sarah's daughter Maggie was turning 3 on January 10th. Months ago, in fact on Thanksgiving as we spent the day with the Maas family, Maggie informed me she was having a princess party for her birthday. She requested that I dress up as Belle from the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast. Maggie said that I needed to be Belle because I had brown, curly hair just like Belle.

Maggie's life is all about princesses. She would have her party be no other way. Sarah, a very creative artist threw the party with all the frills and royalty a princess would expect. It was enough to make a little girl think she was really at Disney World.

A theatrical neighbor friend came as the surprise guest, Cinderella or Reallyrella as Maggie used to call it. Grandmas were fairy god mothers, Sarah was a queen. Little girls asked me how I, princess Belle got to the party? My natural response was in Cinderella's pumpkin carriage of course. Where do I live they asked? In the castle at Disney World, that is where all the princesses live!

The party was a huge success, in fact Maggie was so partied out that before all her little girlfriends left she was already in her pajamas (princess ones of course) ready for her nap.


the birthday princess


sarah made the cake!


fairy god mothers, cinderella, prince charming, a tired princess, and the queen


belle and her favorite little friend maggie

Maggie, thank you for inviting me to be a part of your special day. I love you!

A Winter Photo Shoot

Over the holidays, in Hartford, Wisconsin my sister-in-law Sarah made use of her new Christmas gifts for her camera and took some amazing family pictures. Thank you Sarah for the fun time, even though it was freezing out!


The photographer and her assistant are ready to go out into the winter wonderland.

Holiday Happiness!

Marty and I were fortunate enough to be able to fly back to Wisconsin again this year for Christmas with my family. All the kids and spouses were home and it was great time spent with family. All the traditions were carried out, including Christmas cookies and coffee all morning and afternoon as we opened presents. I also got to see my best friend Sara and spend the day with her and her mom bridesmaid dress shopping. The second week of our break was spent with Marty's parents who drive out to Colorado each year. We already miss everyone and look forward to the next time we all get to hang out.
I had two weeks off from work, one week with no grad school, but sadly the real world starts back up tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m.
January and February brings visitors to Colorado. Meg (my little sis) comes out at the end of this month, and in February my great friend Emily and her husband James are coming out to visit us for ten days of fun and skiing.
Here is a glimpse of the Kolacinski Christmas...


so many presents, and there aren't even grandchildren yet, we are all spoiled!


christmas eve


ryan is pretty excited about a marshmallow gun...26 year olds still like getting toys!


marty got his flip video camera. there will be lots of videos on the blog now.


are you jealous meg...


even daddy got a new toy. an helicopter to fly inside!


here i am super excited because marty surprised me with a green amethyst and diamond ring.


mom with some festive bowls.


another christmas with mom and dad madsen.

Thank you to everyone for all the moments we shared this Christmas break. Thank you again for all the nice presents. 2009 was a year to be thankful for family, friends, our jobs, and health.