Happy New Year!

We broke our streak of staying in on New Year's Eve and went to a family New Year's party. They time-shifted midnight to 8:00 and had sparking cider for the kids to toast with. A fun way to ring in the new year, and we still got to be in bed at a reasonable hour!

Alex had far more fun than this picture conveys

Our goofy boy hamming it up for the camera (note the clock in the background, reading 12:00)

A New Year's toast with his buddy Ella 

More Christmas Fun

We spent Christmas in Mt. Carmel with my Dad and my brothers and their families. Many traditions were upheld: the ravioli Christmas dinner, nut roll for breakfast, yummy sweets, gifts distributed by the youngest family member there (Alex, much to Forrest's relief), lots of card playing, and fun family time.

Click here to see one of the (many) multiple solitaire games in action.

Books are always a welcome gift

Funny minion shirt

Figuring out the cool, new art project with Aunt Jane

Extreme silliness (Even though it's blurry, I had to include this because they were having so much fun)

Everyone had fun putting together the puzzle from Anna

Bonus picture of Alex's face when we arrived home, and he saw a present from Santa under the tree

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