christmas

After we opened presented we headed to Indiana. Cordelia was day dreaming about the presents she tore through.

The girls each put on a Santa hat to hand out presents at Grammie and Grampie's

Thoroughly enjoying going back and forth between their uncles.

christmas eve

An edible Christmas tree that everyone avoided.

Just like the good old days form my youth, the kids played in the basement. Leo was in his pjs before half the people got there. 

Bea loved her cousin Olivia SO much...

...that she is willing to tackle her.

christmas baking

It seemed like the right thing to do. Firmly pressing the sharp edges of the cutting cutter against her doughy skin.

Cordelia is crazy. She lives by the "act now, ask for forgiveness later
 mantra. She doesn't give a DAMN. If she wants to inhale flour, she's gonna g-damn inhale it.

Bea shares my concern over the animalistic flour stuffing. We all still had fun. There was no blood, and no hurt feelings. 

medinah christmas party

The Medinah Christmas party is always such a treat. This year didn't disappoint. After shoving our faces with shrimp and peppermint mousse, the girls made elf hats! Cordelia went for the jumbo pom poms, which in turn made her hat VERY heavy.

The Christmas butterflies.

cousins patiently waiting for the rest of the crew to get their faces done.

Leo and Emmett could have their own show.

Santa Bulldog, slip a sable under the tree, For me.

been an awful good girl, Santa Bulldog,

so hurry down the chimney tonight. 

The line to see Santa was so long. And THEN he took an unannounced break!! The Grinch was getting tired.

The ladies were falling to pieces.

But then he came back!!

zoo lights

Zoo lights is always a good time. Super festive and lots of activities. Cocoa for the kids and beer for the adults.

They even have the new Lionel Train Adventure. Now without tears!

coo coo for coco's calendar

lucia's 1st birthday

Lucia turned ONE and had a big blowout, inviting all her friends.

Bea tried to show love to her cousin Iggy.

Seriously not feeling it. 

thanksgiving

Just a few highlights of Thanksgiving Day.

Let's hear it for Great Grandma's!

The soft little puff that is Sophie!

Their dream.

turkey trot

The local park district had a turkey trot for the kids. Nothing fancy, real casual. We put on lots of layers and headed over to see if the kids would even run.

They had no idea what to do.

It was broken out by age, but look. LOOK. They are standing way in the back. Like they are some sort of Kenyans doing everyone a favor!

Well Bea is actually pretty speedy and would have gotten 1st if she didn't let a boy win. (!?) He got a turkey and she got a pie. The pie was a much better prize. And Cordelia got a squirrel cookie. We all skipped home happy.