Chicago Christmas

Before heading to Mt. Carmel for Christmas, we had a celebration over at Laura's and our own family Christmas. Some pics below.

Willow and Grandma opening a gift

Alex had lots of fun inspecting the ornaments on their tree

Reading time with Willow

Time to open stocking presents

I got lots of handmade gifts from Alex this year

Alex was super excited to get a big box of Pokemon cards

Flashing back a few weeks, Alex put all the decorations on the tree himself

Instead of one gingerbread house, this year we did a whole village

Alex came up with the idea of adding a fire pit in front of the chalet

Thanksgiving with a side dish of Hanukkah

As is our tradition, we spent Thanksgiving with Dave's family, and, since we are all together, we have our Hanukkah celebration then too. Shawn's family joined in this year as well, so we had a couple of very full tables, plates and plates of yummy food, and lots of good company.

Mindy ran the Chocolate Turkey race with me (a new holiday tradition). Here we are modeling our aprons. 

Alex and his buddy, Reggie

Cousins having more fun than that chair can hold

Diamond family photo

And, the silly version of the family photo

Chicago Park Outing

We finally took advantage of our proximity to the Metra to head downtown for a few hours this afternoon. The main goal was to check out the open parts of the new Maggie Daley Park, but we had to pass through Millennium Park to get there, which always requires a stop at the bean. 

Despite being a little chilly and rainy, we had a great time and can't wait to go back. Come visit, and we'll plan a fun outing!

Bean picture #1

Bean picture #2 -- family selfie

Alex really likes the Frank Gehry bandstand and wanted a picture with it in the background

Only part of the fun at the new park

Our little ninja warrior

Enjoying the train ride home after a fun day

Mt. C. Road Trip

Last weekend, Alex, Laura, and I took a road trip down south to visit my Dad (and brother and sister-in-law). It was a lot of time in the car over two days (apx. 12 hours), but the visit went well. Dad enjoyed seeing all of us (if he had his way, we'd never leave), we got to benefit from my brother's amazing garden, and Alex got to practice his climbing skills.

Grandpa and Alex enjoying their visit

Two handsome fellas

On the big slide at the park

The tank is still there (although I don't think you can go inside anymore)

The tire swing was a big hit - Laura and I did a lot of spinning there 

Chilling on the porch with Uncle Paul

Hugs from Aunt Jane

Helping Uncle Paul harvest potatoes from the garden

Climbing the walls of the rest area

Alex really liked the "potato owls"

Happy 7th Birthday, Alex!

The birthday celebrations continued today. We had birthday breakfast, I visited Alex's class for lunch and birthday treats, and we had Chipotle for birthday dinner. There were a few more presents to open and lots of calls with birthday love from family. 

His birthday celebration at school

Passing out mini-cupcakes to his classmates

Before I left, he insisted on taking a selfie of us (How did he learn about selfies?!)

Reading his new Guiness Book of World Records

American Ninja Warrior Birthday Party

Today was Alex's 7th birthday party. Keeping with his latest obsession, it was an American Ninja Warrior theme. We hoped to start at the park and let the kids burn off some energy, but there were thunderstorms. So, instead, we played skee ball for a while and then it cleared up enough to do the piñata outside. We watched the USA v. Japan episode of American Ninja Warrior, had pizza and cake, and then finally made it to the park.

Hanging some balloons out front

The goodie bags

We made headbands and t-shirts for all the kids 

The piñata didn't last long

Yummy cake!

Happy birthday, ninja boy!

First Grade

Today was Alex's first day of first grade. He was excited to be back at school and to see so many friends, from those he had just seen over the weekend to those he hadn't seen since the end of kindergarten. It was a good start to the new school year.