the morning after

Bea and Cordelia appreciate some morning snuggles. I think Cordelia was trying to give Bea a smooch!

christmas

Bea was in awe of Santa's note in the morning.

Such sweetness between sisters opening gifts.

Bea was so appreciative of every gift, even sweaters!

Cordelia was loving the wrapping paper.

Scott's family came up in the morning, which meant Bea got to hand out and open even more presents.

This Christmas flew by! We had Scott's family up in the morning and then my family (part of them) joined us in the afternoon. It was so perfect to have a light snow falling. I cannot believe I took no pictures after the morning, until after everyone left. It went by so fast and I wish it would last days longer. Bea was exhausted. She has never fallen asleep like this. I picked her up and laid her on the floor in her room to change her into her pjs. She was zonked, until we put her in her crib. THEN she wanted dinner. How could we deny her!? So off the the kitchen for a late night Christmas dinner with just candles and christmas lights on.

christmas eve

Christmas Eve seemed crazier than ever this year. The kids always have so much fun and their Santa excitement was at an all time high. When we got home, Bea and Scott put out cookies, milk and a carrot. Santa came soon after!

zoo lights

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights!

Everyone's favorite was the light and music show.

Cordelia was quadruple bundled.

Bea was on foot and running.

Per Bea's request, they went to the holiday train.

No one thought about Bea riding alone.

With each swerving pass the train did, it brought with it a trail of screams.

A couple days before Christmas, we went to Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo. It was fantastic. So many lights and scenes and themes. There were ice carvers outside and Santa was inside. I am surprised by Bea and the train. It seemed like it would be so fun. Cordelia preferred being outside in the cold instead of in the toasty exhibits. I am sure it was because she was surrounded by lights and could see whatever she wanted. At one point a woman told me "no offense...but WIDE LOAD" and then elbowed towards our double stroller. She was also so helpful to suggest that this is when an umbrella stroller comes in handy. On the way out we stopped at the Hot Cocoa Bar for some PB cocoa and peppermint cocoa. This was Bea's first time having cocoa and she clutched the cup and slowly sipped while saying taankyou mommy.

clap it out

All Cordelia seems to want to do is have fun and clap. She is clapping right now as I type. Even with her first sinus infection, teething and maaaaybe an ear infection, she still claps. When I brought her to work with me and she had a 103.4 fever, clapping. When we went to the doc and she got poked and prodded by two different doctors, both of which were not her own, still clapping, and then a little slapping.

gingerbread house

Bea and I did our first gingerbread house together. I went back and forth over getting the kit or doing it all old school. We went with the kit. I swear Bea must have done this in an earlier life. When I started explaining what you do, she shooed me off and went right to work. When we got to the last bit of candy she said "I want more". I said well we don't have anymore. Her immediate response "well then I want to get down!" And interestingly enough, she didn't want to taste the frosting and would just wipe it on her shirt! Oh, I see how it is. I felt so used.

megan and mike's wedding

Earlier this month we were invited to Mike and Megan's wedding in Kohler Wisconsin.

Not only was the venue beyond charming, but the details were as well.

The ceremony was at a quaint Greek Orthodox church.

Brandon was such a gentleman with Grandma Pat.

The adorable bride and groom. There was lots of movement during the ceremony.

As we waited outside to welcome Mr & Mrs, they passed out silver bells to ring when they walked out. The church bells also rang.

The American Club is a place I needed to know about a long long time ago. So much history.

We hung out at the Horse and Plow before Cocktail hour. Cocktails before cocktails. Those are not Hannah's beers and she was not bored. I swear.

Megan's mom made all of the place cards. Pine cones and Birch disks.

The tables were numbers by years.

Some of the men: Scott, Andy, Tim and Luke.

CUTE! This is why the tables were labeled by year.

Mother and Daughter.

What a beautiful wedding. Our only regret was not heading up earlier and staying later.