It’s already the holiday season at Madison LeCroy’s house, and she’s giving PEOPLE a sneak peek at her family’s Christmas card.
This year marks the first time the Southern Charm star, 35, is sending out her holiday cards as a family of four after welcoming her baby daughter Teddi this past June. LeCroy, who partnered with Minted to create the perfect design, shares the festive card exclusively with PEOPLE.
“Oh my gosh, I’ve been so excited to make my Minted holiday card! We wanted it to be classic, but also to really capture how far we’ve come and where we are in life right now,” LeCroy explains. “It’s our first card as a family of four, in our beautiful home, with our beautiful baby – so it felt important to make it special. It’s not just a photo; it’s a little snapshot of this really happy, blessed season we’re in.”
Holiday Card: “Heritage” design by Minted artist Petra Kern Photography Credit: Mary Kathryn McConaghy
The mom of two, who chose the “Heritage” design by Minted, could be seen posing with her son Hudson, 13, and husband Brett Randle. Their baby girl, Teddi, was pictured sleeping soundly in her dad’s arms.
She also shared a few outtakes from the shoot with PEOPLE, which included a sweet photo of Hudson holding his baby sister. There was also a black-and-white snap of the family of four outside their newly renovated home.
Mary Kathryn McConaghy
As for what they’re planning on doing this holiday season, LeCroy says that they’re trying to keep things simple this year.
“We’re keeping it pretty family-focused this year. I can’t wait to see [Teddi’s] face when she sees all the lights and decorations — she’s at that sweet age where everything is magical,” the proud mom says. “We’ll probably do some low-key things around Charleston, maybe visit family, bake cookies and just soak up that first-holiday magic.”
Mary Kathryn McConaghy
It’s been a few months since Teddi joined the family, and LeCroy shares that their family has already transitioned so well into one of four rather than three.
“It’s been the most beautiful chaos! Teddi’s such a little sweetheart, and Hudson’s blown me away with how great he’s been with her,” LeCroy says. “He’s really stepped into that big brother role — he helps, he sings to her and he’s always checking on her. Seeing the two of them together honestly melts my heart every day.”
This past July, LeCroy shared adorable snaps of her newborn daughter Teddi, her husband and her son Hudson enjoying some time together at home. The reality TV star showed her family of four cuddling with baby Teddi, following her two-week stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
“We’re finally home… all together. After 2 weeks of back and forth to the NICU, today we brought our sweet Teddi girl home and I truly don’t have the words (but I’ll try),” she wrote. “Watching Hudson hold his baby sister, seeing Brett step into this role with so much love, and just standing in my doorway with my arms full and my heart even fuller… this is it.”
“This is the life I’ve prayed for, dreamed of, and now finally get to live,” LeCroy continued. “She’s home, we’re whole, and I’ve never felt more at peace. ✨.”
In a world of over-the-top, staged proposals, Paulie Connell just delivered a masterclass in heartfelt, chaotic, and utterly perfect romance. The “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Dolores Catania is engaged, and the story of how her longtime love popped the question—in the middle of an Apple Store, with a fake PEOPLE interview as a decoy—is a tale of pure, unscripted magic.
The plan was elaborate. Dolores was told she had a PEOPLE interview for a new medication she was promoting. After getting full hair and makeup, the meeting was “canceled.” Seizing the opportunity, Paulie insisted they finally go get her new iPhone. “I kept saying, ‘Just go get it for me! Why do you need me?'” Dolores recalled. But Paulie was relentless, inventing a story about the “only one iPhone Pro Max in the area” being held for her.
At the Apple Store in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey—the very spot where they first met nearly five years ago—Paulie’s nerves began to show. “He was sweating so bad, his T-shirt was soaked, his face was beet red,” Dolores laughed. “He started saying these sweet, beautiful things to me out of nowhere and I was like, ‘Paul, are you okay?'”
As an employee led them to the exact table where their love story began, Paulie’s mind was racing. “I was so nervous, my knees where knocking,” he confessed. “I’m like, ‘What are you doing? Don’t start getting sad, you’re meant to be happy!'”
While he was trying to deliver a heartfelt speech, Dolores was still completely oblivious, even joking to the employee, “Wouldn’t it be funny if we got engaged here?”
Then, he pulled the box from his pocket. That’s when reality hit. “I immediately said yes,” Dolores gushed. The ring, a show-stopping 11-carat centerpiece from John Anthony Jewelers, was a testament to his devotion. “Go big or go home,” Dolores laughed.
This wasn’t the first ring Paulie had bought. He revealed he’d purchased a stone years ago, but after getting to know Dolores better, he realized it was the “opposite of what I got.” This new ring, which he’d had for over a year and a half, was perfect.
The proposal was a symphony of sentimental details. The date, November 10th, was the same day Dolores had moved in with him four years prior. The celebration dinner was at Rocco’s steakhouse, the site of their very first date. “There’s not a thing this guy didn’t think of,” Dolores said.
For years, Bravo fans have relentlessly asked, “When is he going to propose?” Now, they have their answer. In the most unexpected of locations, surrounded by iPhones and unsuspecting shoppers, Dolores Catania’s next chapter has officially begun. And as Paulie laughed, “I’m just glad Dolores won’t have to answer a stupid question anymore.”