New Year's Eve at Brookfield Zoo

Snow Day 2012

I love living up North with all the snowy winters....in Charlotte it is so hit or miss...last year we asked for snow pants and boots for the kids for Christmas and not one single snowflake hit Charlotte...BUT thankfully we got to come home to Chicago and although it wasn't much, as soon as the ground was white we bundled the kids up to go outside to play...Jack and Ryder were only out for a bit but Mason and Carissa loved it!!!  They wrote their names in the snow, caught snowflakes with their mouths, made giant snowballs and even one tiny snowman all by themselves after mommy had gotten tired and went inside.  Thank goodness we went out when we did because it melted pretty quickly!!!  We sure do love a good snow day!!!

Christmas Morning in Chicago

Although the kids have already had their visit from Santa back home, they still really looked forward to seeing what Santa had in store for Gaga, Pa and Uncle Scott.  On Christmas morning we gathered around the tree...Gaga got a coffee carousel, a pretty necklace from Pa and a huge picture frame.  We got her some pretty grey and red xmas decorations, a groupon to Parmasens Pizza and a Photo Canvas.  Pa nearly cried over the Costco Membership we got for him????  and Uncle Scott got a fun hat from Emma and Parker.  The kids were lucky enough to get a little something from Santa too...Ryder loved his wack a ball set, Mason was thrilled with his SpongeBob Lego Pirate Ship and Carissa was over the Moon with her "FREE" mini starbucks cups we picked up for her to use with her American Girl doll she got in Chicago last summer.  It was a good Christmas at home and even better because we got to see all our family!!!

Christmas Eve

This year we were lucky enough to be able to surprise Gaga and Pa with a trip home for Christmas.  The kids had so much fun with their family....saw a few snowflakes and got to visit with lots of family and friends.  Gaga is busy making her list of food for the next xmas get together since our family is growing and growing!!  The kids were thrilled xmas morning when we told them Santa had come early so we could make the plane in time to get to Gaga and Pa's for christmas. These are a few photos from christmas eve.  Aunt Val's Family and Auntie Mimi and Uncle Paul joined us for dinner and presents before Santa arrived the next morning!