nye

We rang in the new year with Netflix kid's countdowns, sparkling CHAMP-pain and some noise makers.

snow time

I asked Cordelia to show me her snow face. I meant an expression, not to white wash!

christmas

This is it, only a few pictures to capture Christmas Eve and day. Thankfully Megan was able to get one of the four of us before we became a family of five.

zoo lights

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights is not really about the animals. At least for us. It's all about the lights, music and possibility of snacks with cocoa.

Cordelia wanted to get her picture taken in front of every single display. I obliged until my battery died.

medinah christmas party

The kids and adults look forward to this event every year. It really is quite the setup. I love that the boys went for the "elf" face paint.

Look at this twosome. So innocent.

One of the last pictures of my BABY. 

Bea bypassed the face painting and opted for the hand painting. It was a beautiful nighttime reindeer scene. But we weren't allowed to talk about it or even ask her about it. Getting this blurry picture was even a challenge. 

A life-size gingerbread house! There were ropes and signs that clearly stated to not touch it or go in it. But neither myself nor my children saw them. It never dawned on me that they wouldn't want you feeling it and sniffing it.

Santa knew what he was doing. He had a whole system for getting individual pictures with the kids and then one of all of them. It was so seamless.

REAL reindeers!!! This one had twigs for antlers...NEXT.

This one was more like it!

After the kids see Santa, they get age and gender appropriate gift bags. These three set up camp behind our table to go through their loot. 

Since I never get these three together, I wanted a picture. We asked Bea to show us her proud older cousin pose. Evie gets it.

thanksgiving divas

birthday reunion

Cordelia's friend Penelope had a birthday party reunion of sorts. A couple of the girls are now at different schools, so the birthday was a great way to see each other again. They all get along so well!