Christmas

(This blog is long overdue but I had some computer security issues and blogger wouldn't let me upload pics -but I hope you enjoy!)Christmas was good for all this year. We spent the Friday prior to Christmas downtown Chicago. We went to the Kringle Market at the Daley Center, then off to see A Christmas Carole at the Goodman theatre. A wonderful gift from Mark.

Mark playing a street vendors drums!

Goodman Theatre Tree

Macy's on State!

 After the play we went off to Macy's on Michigan Avenue to see the famous window displays. They were cool but not my favorite that's for sure. It did bring back wonderful memories of shopping with my Uncle Tony at Marshall Fields though. I love that the plaques for Marshall Fields are still on the building. We then went inside to see all the splendor of decorations. I watched them create them on HGTV and was so excited to see them live. We traveled up to the 8th floor and viewed the big tree in the Walnut Room. I don't know why, but I remember it being more grand and lavish in my younger years. The cool part was the LED lighting they had installed, but otherwise I didn't see the extravagant ornaments I remember.

Ditka's huge twice baked potato - with Scott.

We later had dinner at Ditka's restaurant before retiring for the evening at the Affinia hotel on Superior, a block off Michigan Avenue. We won this stay at a charity event over the summer, so we were happy to be able to use it during this holiday season. It was all so much fun!


On Saturday, Christmas Eve, we spent our morning window shopping at Watertower Place. We then went back home to take care of our Mojo and Thor. Thank you so much Jacob (Scott's friend) for taking care of them for us while we were away. After we loved our dogs we prepped to go to my mother's house to spend Christmas Eve with my side of the family. Unfortunately my older brother, Mike and his kids could not make it in this year to celebrate the holidays with us. Randy, Riley and Seth seemed to really enjoy the evening with their big cousins, Scott and Annabelle.

Christmas morning was spent at home with the kids opening their gifts from Santa and Mark and I. I think they were pleased with their gifts this year. Mojo and Thor got gifts in their stockings too.

In the afternoon, we went to Mark's sister's home to spend the day with his side of the family. It was nice to see several nieces and a nephew! We enjoyed the visit very much and the food was once again, awesome.

On Monday, the day after Christmas we held a pajama day at our house. It was wonderful not to have to go anywhere. I spent most of the day laying on the couch watching "Band of Brothers" (So Christmas like - right?)  with Mark in between naps.
With the big days behind us, we have now the task of taking down all of the decor that got us all so excited for this weekend of events that flew by way too fast.

Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas as well and I wish you all much happiness and health in the new year.

Christmas Preparations 2011

I have been very much excited about this year's holiday season. I'm not sure why but it seems my whole family is too. Well, I can't tell if Mojo and Thor are, but they have sniffed probably everything within nose reach for sure!

Yes, I decorate the whole house. Bathrooms, bedrooms (just a little) and the rest of the of the house for sure! We started after Thanksgiving decorating and have had a party already with our neighbors. So here's a climps of our indoor preparations for Christmas. It is a season not a day after all!

Dining room looking into living room

Living room tree

Close up to living room tree.





Family Room tree with all the kids ornaments.



Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving brings a lot of happy memories for me. In my lifetime I've learned a lot about being thankful, great food and humor. If you know my family, you know humor is what gets us through everything good and bad! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

This year we enjoyed the company of most of Mark's siblings and both his parents at our home.  Mark not only prepared stuffed Turkey but a stuffed pork roast. Everything was delicious. It was so great to have everyone bring a side dish for dinner. Awesome green beans in garlic, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, broccoli casseroles, cranberries, bakery rolls, buttered corn, and of course stuffing with gravy. For dessert we had some bakery pumpkin pie and pecan pie and we enjoyed a homemade French Silk pie and Apple pie made by Annabelle and myself. I wish we had a photo of those but trust me, they were good looking as well as tasty. Here is how how turkey and pork roast turned out.

Turkey resting before carving.

Pork Roast - yum!

After dinner. Sleepy nephew.

Brownie balls that Annabelle and I made in preparation for Thanksgiving. Sorry they didn't make it until Thursday, they were really good. Maybe we should not have taste tested. them.

The Halloween After-Math.

Scott got a sword for Christmas last year from his Uncle Tony. Scott has swung the sword around quite a bit this summer but couldn't wait to slice into our Halloween pumpkins. Needless to say, he had some fun!

The soon to be victims awaiting their fate!

Scott showing no mercy!

I think he enjoyed this too much.

Not one stood a chance for survival.

May they rest in peace.

Halloween 2011

Our kids may be growing up but they still like carving pumpkins. We lucked out the weekend prior to Halloween and were able to carve outside. We all did our own thing and I think they turned out pretty cool. Mark was the only one who used a template. The rest of us just winged it. We had a lot of fun being creative.

Getting started.

My free-form face - Ooohhhh.

Mark Rock'n it!

Annabelle's skull face ghost!

Scott pirate!

Are you ready for some Football?

Well -we are and so was Scott's team today. The LW Central Freshman B team was the only team to beat LW North (20 to 6) this week and we are proud to say that Scott is a wide receiver for the B team! There was a lot of exciting play time for Scott today and he was thrilled.

Scott is number 85 in the middle on offense (Red Jersey).

Scott close to end zone on the far right - blocking.

Scott out for a Gatorade break.

Scott ready as backup to a catch his teammate Tyler caught!

Scott checking with coach.

All's well when we win!!! Go Knights.

Northwoods 2011!

We once again enjoyed our two week vacation to Northern Wisconsin. It was a little more crowded in the truck as Scott brought a friend up with him. He and his friend Jacob had a blast and got along fabulously with Annabelle. Vacation was filled with visits from family as usual. It was great to spend time with Donn and Dorothy, the Erickson's who now live in Ely, Minnesota, Kevin and Dana, Angela and Charlie and my sister with her family. Lots of good people, good food and good old fashion fun on the water. Mojo was excellent and enjoyed not only the water but a boat ride too!

Mana (Dorothy) with Grace

Big Daddy (Donn)

Jacob, Scott and Annabelle

Scott driving the Flying Scott for the first time with Dad



Vicki, Annabelle and Dana (Photo by Scott)



MASTERCRAFT!!!

Randy and Riley

Mark busted coming out of the Ladies Restroom!

The house we rented

Scott and Jacob in Kayaks

Mojo getting out of the water

Kevin after a long day of pulling tubers - Mark getting in the picture

Jacob and Scott getting whiped around the lake

I know you are asking where are all the fish pictures. Well let me tell you, they are on Mark's phone. His phone apparently had no memory stick in it nor does it have a data plan to email them out, but trust me I will figure something out to get them posted because I not only caught the most fish that I have ever caught but the biggest too! I caught an 18" large mouth bass that I can't wait to show off. I love the Northwoods. I love that you can hike, swim, ski, tube, kayak, fish, sleep, eat, whatever everyday. We are never bored and the weather never seems to be an issue for fun. Already thinking about next year!

Cool Celebration Dessert

In celebration of Annabelle's award we made her favorite dessert. I'm not sure what you call it, so we call it the Cool Celebration dessert. It's made in a small glass pan with a layer of ice cream sandwiches topped with cool whip and chopped up Milky Way bars (or any other favorite candybar), then another layer of the sandwiches, cool whip and candy. Let it set up in the freezer before cutting like cake and eat.

Remember any summer day can be a
Cool Celebration Dessert day!