yeah.
what maddy said.
brooke and i
are celebrating the
new year
in instanbul
while maddy hangs out
with her grandparents.
i’ve never been
away from her for
more than two
days, so this
has been kind of
hard for me.
but, i really
believe that it’s
good for parents
to get away sometimes
(and i know liz felt the same way)
and to help me
get through the
trip, the grandparents
have helped maddy
video chat with us,
and grandpa tom g.
has been
sending photos
of maddy’s time
with him
(the other grandparents aren’t quite as tech savvy).
as you’ll be
able to tell,
maddy has a couple
of new favorite
toys from christmas…
(and i’m not talking about the vacuum)
55 Comments
Awesome!!! I love forts! Maddie is getting so big. I hope 2011 is a wonderful year for all of you….
Wow, Istanbul. I hope you have a great trip. Maddy is obviously in good hands, and I agree that time away from the kids from time to time is crucial for good parenting!
What kid doesn’t enjoy boxes? Looks like maddy is having a blast with her grandparents, I hope you and brooke are having a great trip as well. Happy new year
maddy is just so beautiful, even more so every day. you do a wonderful job with her. wishing both of you a prosperous and happy new year.
can’t wait for the book to come out in april!!
It’s all about the boxes eh?
Hope you guys are having a blast!!!
Am I hearing a little bit of a Minnesotan accent there? Adorable. Happy New Year Matt!
The boxes are always the best presents. Happy New Year1
I’m impressed with the technological ability of Grandpa G. Thanks for the pics, Grandpa G! I’m excited when my mom turns on the computer and doesn’t have to ask me for help. Great nurse, but tech savvy she is not.
beautiful Matt! I always hope you guys will come into my store whenever you’re in the Minnesota. The Excelsior area isn’t too far away right??
Awesome! So glad she’s having a great time! Sounds like you’re enjoying your break
Great! Hope you and Brooke are having a fun. Yes! Every parent needs to get away…needs a break. Here’s hoping 2011 is filled with much love, health and happiness for the 3 of you.
That is always the way that it is with kids… the boxes are way cooler than any gift!!! Have a great trip- even parents need to recharge their batteries sometimes!!!
She is such a freakin’ cutie!! Istanbul? WOW, now I feel like such a bum seeing as though we just stayed in our house and fell asleep by 10. Happy New Year!
a child with a box is a gift that keeps on giving!!
enjoy yourself with brooke, matt! every parent needs that “me” time. it helps you become a better parent. you’re stronger, happier and more inspired. a child needs all of that in a parent. laugh a lot and love 
Happy New Year to you and Brooke. Maddy looks like she is having such a good time.
She’s too cute. Give a kid a box and they’re happy for hours. why we spend so much money on such stupid toys is beyond me.
Happy new year! This is going to be such an exciting year for you matt. I’m ecstatic for what’s ahead for you guys.
Happy New Year!! Looks like Maddy is having a great time with the grandparents. Just wait until she starts telling you she doesn’t want to go home, that is super fun. *sarcasm* Have a fun, safe trip.
Maddy is and will be so beautiful!you guys are doing great!have fun on your trip!and start buying her things that come in extra big boxes!!!
I’m sure Maddy is having a blast! Have a safe and fun trip! Can’t wait to hear more about it when you’re back!
What is it about kids and boxes? Who needs toys?
Maddy is adorable. Happy New Year to you guys!
Boxes of course best Christmas Presents ever! My daughter loves them!! Happy New Year!
happy new year to you guyses. all the best for a great 2011.
I love her excitement in the photos lately she is just absolutely gorgeous
Happy New Year to all of you!!!! Hope you are having a great time in Istanbul!!!
Looks like Maddy is enjoying herself too.
Loved the photo of Maddy vacuuming! Happy New Year to you, Brooke & Maddy! 2011 is going to be amazing.
it’s very obvious that Maddy is loved and adored. she seems to be having a marvelous time while you’re gone. i hope you & Brooke have a fabulous trip and a happy new year!
Cardboard boxes are a kid’s best friend. That and some wrapping paper. Hope you and Brooke are having fun on your trip. I am a fim believer that parents need kid free breaks too. Even though it is hard to be away from them, they are needed.
I always wondered after Christmas was over WHY I spent so much… when my kids LOVED the boxes and the wrapping paper and bows SO much more than anything I bought them.
Glad you and Brooke are getting some MUCH needed alone time… and also glad someone in your family is tech savy enough to keep you from missing that beautiful daughter of yours TOO much.
Happy New Year!!
At least you didn’t spend it in Constantinople!
My Dad rode bulls in Instabul. I have a newspaper clipping to show for it. I hope you enjoy your trip.
nothing like a box for hours of fun……good job grandma and grandpa
Hooray for a little time to your selves! Enjoy– it looks like Maddy is is VERY VERY good hands, and although I hate to admit it, I doubt she is even missing you– LOL
Hope you two are having a wonderful (documented
trip!
Boxes. If I were a wise woman I would have given my children nothing but boxes as gifts when they were that age
istanbul?
now, that’s what i’m talking about!
matt.. you really have a way of living. i admire that.
Happy New Year! A friend of mine just told me about your blog so I’ve spent some time this weekend catching up on your lives. Seems a but weird to type that but I just wanted to take a moment and respond saying that I’ve thought about your family since I started reading and I’m glad that you are moving through life so well with your Maddy. My 3 1/2 year old is blonde hair and blue eyes and kept wanting to “see my pictures mom!” when I was looking at yours. Can’t wait to read your book. I hope there is a tour. I’m in Temecula CA and am pretty central to both LA and San Diego so I would live to come out and say hello!
Matt, Brooke and Maddy: Happy 2011 to you all!
The husband and I spent a few days in Istanbul a few years ago…it is one of the coolest cities on Earth. What a fucking rad place to ring the new year in!
I wish you both a fantastic year.
Brooke, it is obvious (even to those of us who “know” you guys only through Matt’s blog) that you have helped bring new light to Matt and Maddy’s lives. Maddy adores you almost as much as you adore her.
I think there is something very beautiful about the fact that you and Liz are from the same place; Maddy will get so much more insight into who her mom was because of that. Matt is pretty damn lucky he found you
Happy New year – thanks for continuing to share the journey with us!
Juanita
My girls were around two one Christmas when my dad and mom met us at my paternal grandma’s for the holiday. My mom had spent far too much on educational toys for my girls like Speak and Say things…but, the girls played with ORANGES off the coffee table center piece and yeah – boxes.
I thought it was funny then and I still do twenty odd years later!
Happy New Year to you, your family & “Maddy’s Brookie”
Yep, empty boxes! Next it will be naked dolls. The minute they are opened all clothing must be discarded. It’s in a little girl’s handbook somewhere. It has to be. Or maybe it’s just instinct like how little boys know the car sounds…..
Enjoy yourself. i am sure Maddy is having a great time.
My kids just love boxes too! They were so excited when I got a new washer/dryer set so they could play in the boxes! They were in the house for MONTHS and at least 5 different playhouses/forts. Awesome!
I loved my trip to Istanbul–what an amazing city. I hope you both are enjoying it.
Miss Maddy couldn’t look more like Liz than she does in the photo with her Aunt Deb. Wow.
Happy holidays to you all.
Have fun! My husband and I were there in September and enjoyed it. Make sure you do the Turkish Bath! You know what they say, when in Rome…er, Istanbul!
Wow – Istanbul! You guys don’t mess around!
When we leave our two with the grandparents it’s usually just for a long weekend in Chicago.
Someone told me about your blog yesterday. Our beautiful, 29 year old daughter in law died on December 23, 2010, following the emergency delivery of our granddaughter. The baby’s heart rate fell and then Jen’s heart stopped. She never regained consciousness and when her heart stopped again that evening the critical care staff was unable to save her. She died from an embolism. Our son, Jacob, who is 28, is heartbroken and we are for him. We are praying his precious baby girl Amelia will give his reason to go on and one day have joy in his life again. Your little girl is adorable. Reading about the progress of your healing has given me hope for my son.
Huge hugs to you, Kathy – I’m sure Matt will hook your family and your son up with an amazing support network. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Meanwhile, I’m hoping Matt, Brooke and Maddy come home with a special announcement
I’m hoping for wedding bells in the new year! 
great new year! Love baby girl’s vacuum.
Oh, the memory of building forts…wonderful! Hope you’re having a good time in Istanbul. Maddy sure looks like she’s having fun with the rest of the family. She is so blessed to have all of you in her life!
Happy New Year! Hope it continues to get better and better.
Kathy Black….I’m so sorry to hear that. My thoughts and prayers are with your son, and your family. I’m glad you found Matt’s blog. Hugs to you.
Matt, Brookie & Maddy ~ Happy New Year to you!! Can’t wait for the book to be here
Hi Matt — I got your postcard — so sweet of you, thanks! (And thank Maddie for the picture of the turtle she included on it. It’s gorg.)
ok Matt who is the Mary Kay consultant? You know we stick together. Just wondering. LOL.
I am so glad you are happy again. Your eyes show how happy you are now. I kinda expected an engagement announcement? I know that will be a big step but I discovered it doesn’t diminish what I had with my deceased husband. That I would do it again affirmed my belief in marriage.
May 2011 be the happiest of your life.
I love Istanbul! I was there almost exactly 11 years ago, and it was amazing. Loved the food, even if it was much, much colder than I imagined it would be.
Asalamu Alaykom and Happy New Year!
Istanbul?! Good plan, Stan!
You are three hours away…just sayin’
Love the pics! Looks like a great time is being had by all! Happy 2011 Matt, Maddy and Brooke!
Maddy and Grandpa vacuuming made me grin ear to ear. Oh fun times. love, Val