Christmas in the City

After our Christmas celebration in Oak Park on Saturday, we were able to go downtown on Sunday with Jade & Andrew's family. We wanted to see the lights & decorations.

Millenium Park - it was COLD, with lots of snow!

The kids wanted to go ice-skating, but the line was really long and did I mention it was COLD. So we settled for watching them clear the snow off of the ice while listening to the music.

We walked along the magnificent mile - destination American Girl Place.

Avery was nearly running - she was pretty excited.

We made it - must have been white coat day! The boys hit the adidas store and legoland while we enjoyed all that American Girl had to offer. Avery currently has a bitty baby, so she and I will be coming back after she completes Kindergarten to celebrate with a new older doll. She needs to save her pennies until then, but this has given her an idea of what she would like to pick out during that trip.

There is so much energy in the air when you are walking along the mag mile - even though it was COLD out, the streets were packed. So glad we were able to see the city during this time of year.

Christmas 2009 in Pictures

Christmas 2009 has already come and gone, can you believe it? We are so fortunate and grateful for our families and are thankful that we were able to spend the last five days together with everyone!

We have several traditions that our family participates in annually during the Christmas season:

1) Baking cookies - 4 different types this year. We participated in a cookie exchange with our neighbors and have been enjoying more than our fair share of goodies in the last few days.

2) After our Christmas Eve Service at church (which we would recommend catching on line if you have the time), we came home to get ready for Santa's arrival. Avery wrote him a note and we left cookies and milk near the Christmas tree.

3) On Christmas Eve, we read two stories before bedtime. Twas the Night Before Christmas and also the story of Jesus' birth. Just a reminder that although there is lots of excitement about Santa, we want the kids to remember the true reason we celebrate at Christmas. This year, Avery actually read the story to us - here's a little sample.

4) Stockings are hung by the fireplace with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there - and he didn't disappoint. But I need tips on how to keep those little stocking holders in place for next year - we've had a few bumps and bruises on toes and heads after a little tugging at the stockings.

5) The kids actually get to thank the big guy and his Mrs. in person every year. This couple has been visiting Grandma's house for over 30 years and it's so much fun to look back at the pictures through the years of those that sit on these laps. Santa's lap has gotten smaller as the years go on! Little Miss Avery is asking too many questions for a six year old - the gig may be up sooner than we think.

6) The other tradition at Grandma's house is the re-enactment of the first Christmas. My cousins and I started this in 1978 with the same little outfits (on Mary & Joseph & the wisemen) and the same script. For the first time, Grandma actually participated too, as the angel.

Look at these sweet kids waiting patiently to exchange their gifts while the parents finish cleaning up the kitchen after dinner.

7) Cousins in matching jammies -

Sophia (3), Austin (3), Owen (almost 5), and Avery (6)


We suprised Grammie and Grandpa with treasured photos of their grandkids taken by our friend, Jamie. It has been so difficult to keep this secret over the last two months and as expected, they were more than thrilled with the gift.

Looking at the photobook again the next morning with all the kiddies.

There is so much anticipation leading up to Christmas and then once it's here, it goes by so quickly. Hope everyone had a magical Christmas!

Vacation 2009

Sunshine + Ocean + No Verizon Cell Service = PARADISE!

Jon and I recently traveled to St. Thomas to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. We did a lot of nothing, which is just what the Doctor ordered.


We spent the better part of our days lying on these two chairs ocean-side. A few times I felt a little guilty about doing nothing except for lying there soaking up the sunshine, but that feeling very quickly passed.


We saw beautiful sunsets and had nice, quiet dinners together talking about life (past, present, and future).




We stayed at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Resort on Morningstar Beach. We were across the harbor from downtown Charlotte Amalie and enjoyed watching the cruise ships depart each evening right before sunset. The resort was wonderful and had so much to offer, so we didn't have to leave very often. We enjoyed breakfast on our balcony overlooking the harbor each morning.


We took a ferry into downtown Charlotte Amalie to do a little shopping in the duty-free capital of the world. We ate at fun places like the Giggling Gecko and the Fat Turtle.




We missed the kiddos, but enjoyed some much needed Jon and Jill time.


These iguanas were everywhere and they were HUGE! We found out that they were vegetarians, but still a little creepy when they were crawling around our beach chairs or on the pool deck. They were stubborn as well, didn't want to move on the sidewalk, so we stepped around them.



Just being silly in the airport:

So sad to have to leave our paradise.....

But happy that we knew the kiddos would be on the other end and we were ready and refreshed to be their Mommy and Daddy again!

The Music In Me

I am so motivated by music.

The right song can put me in a great mood, or send me down memory lane in a hurry!

The one song that will put a smile on my face no matter what...

CELEBRATION, by Kool and the Gang.

I just heard it on the radio and immediately started chair dancing here in my office. Even amidst the pile of things I have to get done before the end of the week.

Everything's gonna be all right.....let's celebrate!

What's YOUR song??

I Love Fall!

I love the colors, watching college football, warming up the home with the fall decorations, homemade soups and baking. I think it's my favorite season! The only downside is knowing what comes next (WINTER!!!)



It's such a cliche' phrase, but we've been so busy. I sure wish the work week was only two days long and the weekends were five days. Wouldn't that be nice? It just seems that we have had something planned every weekend for as long as I can remember.

The only thing we had planned last Saturday was to hit a pumpkin patch with the kids. We had offered to take our neighbor along with us since her parents were going to be out of town. When we woke up on Saturday, it was cool and rainy and I just wasn't in the mood to do the pumpkin thing. But when I walked over to tell little Avah that we wouldn't be going...her attitude was contagious. She was smiling from ear to ear and was dressed in her pumpkin-best!

So we changed out of our jammies and jumped in the car and sped off to get some pumpkins. I'm so glad we went. The sun even came out for a few minutes while we were there. A good time had by all!

Sweet #6

Happy 6th Birthday to our sweet little Avery.

She looks so grown up now, no longer our baby girl.

We celebrated with a fun Hawaiian Luau over the weekend and I'm headed out to meet her for lunch at her elementary school.

Mommy and Daddy and brother love you so much!

10 Years of Wedded Bliss!

Jonny~
You are the Love of My Life. Thank you for sharing the last ten years with me on this journey. We've accomplished much and I'm so proud to be your wife.

Can't wait to see what the next ten years may bring.

Love you!

Birthday Milestone!

Yesterday was my Grandma's birthday.

I'm going to refrain from stating her age because she may get upset with me (wink)when she reads this, as she doesn't like all of the attention.

She looks fantastic and you'd never guess anyway.

So what did she do to celebrate this birthday milestone?



She took a ride on a Harley!

In honor of her birthday, I've decided to list my top 10 favorite things about her.

10) Family is, and always has been priority. She and Grandpa were so involved in all of our activities then and now.
9) She volunteers her time to help others.
8) She golfs (and tried to teach me many years ago-wish I would have paid attention).
7) She's competitive and stubborn (both strong family traits that are well-suited for game nights)
6) Hot fudge sundaes, homemade pizza, butter cookies, and buckeyes!
5) All of my memories from spending days & nights at her house growing up (swimming, gardening, cards, playing with Tara's barbies, watching cars go by on CR 8, walking to Krider Gardens, the list goes on and on)
4) Traditions (Easter egg hunts, Pumpkin farm trips, nativity plays at Christmas, Cubs games just to name a few)
3) She loves the Cubs (even after all of these years of waiting and wishing).
2) I love to watch her love on my kids. They call her G.G.
1) I admire her for the way she has lived her life and raised her family with Christ at the center.

Hope you had a fun birthday yesterday Grandma! Glad we could celebrate with you.

Kindergarten

And you're off...

You got on the school bus for the first time this morning and as the bus drove away, I had tears in my eyes.

You were confident and anxious. It helped that 5 others from the street got on at the same time (3 in your class).



In a few minutes you'll be settling down in your class getting ready for the day. I can't help but be nervous that you will get to all the places that you are supposed to go today without any trouble. The teachers assured us yesterday at Orientation that they've never lost a child. The system works, but this is my first experience, so forgive me if I'm a little nervous for the first few days. I'll probably tell you 100 times to follow the teacher and listen with open ears. Just bear with me, I'm your Mama, so you'll hear that a lot from me.

We've taught you about how to be a well behaved young lady, but now you're on your own. I'm so anxious to hear how the first day goes and to watch you develop over this next year.



Enjoy your first whole day! The hours can't go fast enough until I get to pick you up and hear all about it.

I love you,

Mommy

Annual Applesauce Activities

It's that time of year...Homemade Applesauce!
A few weeks ago, we gathered our transparent apples and set up shop in the kitchen. It was a family affair.

The kids helped wash the apples and Avery and Jon were a big help throughout the whole process (until they bailed on me a few hours into it to go hang out with the neighbors)

Avery is such a big helper and wants to be involved. Austin is our official taste tester...trying to sneak in a taste at any opportunity!

Last year, our applesauce supply lasted us through February. We made twice as much this year, so that will hopefully get us through to next summer. Though we've already finished two of the containers!

It's Booked!

Start the daydreaming...

Jon and I are celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary this year and to mark the special milestone, we're taking a (kid-free) trip to the Carribbean!

The flights are purchased, the hotel reserved, the bathing suits nearly packed.
How are we going to focus for the next 3 months until the departure date arrives!?!?

Local Attractions

It is easy to take for granted all of the wonderful attractions we have within short driving distance of where we live.

Over the last month, our family has taken advantage of several of these local attractions and have really enjoyed each one.

Over the 4th of July weekend, we visited the zoo with our niece and nephew and had a great time. We were there earlier in the day and all of the animals were visible. Though we all agreed that the $2.00 train ride was about $1.50 too much.




On a recent Sunday, after church we drove to Lake Michigan and had a great time. For the afternoon, we pretended like we were on a tropical beach vacation somewhere.

We played in the waves, built sand castles, and collected sea-shells.

The great thing was that it didn't cost a penny. Only the gas it took to drive us there and back.


We also have a very nice baseball stadium nearby that is great entertainment for all. Who doesn't love a baseball game? Even better when they have fireworks after the game.



This particular night was sort of cool...mother nature can't make up her mind this summer.



We spent last Sunday at the county fair eating our share of taco salads, Tom Thumb donuts, riding rides and looking at all of the animals.

We've had a great time exploring all that surrounds us!

Ka-Boom!

There's at least one member of our family that is happy that the 4th of July won't come again for another year!



Other than lots of tears during the fireworks, it was a great weekend! A visit to the zoo with the cousins, helping Mom and Dad move, the neighborhood bike parade, and lake activities.



Happy 4th of July, 2009!