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!