Christmas Day

We had two rounds of Christmas this morning (craziness!). First, we woke up and opened our presents from Santa and then once Katie and Tim woke up we had breakfast and opened presents with the rest of the family. Both kids had a great Christmas, although Lila got too involved with her new toys and didn't want to open anymore presents, so she has still more presents open.

In front of the tree

Lila opening her stocking.

Lila got a vaccuum cleaner and cleaning cart from Nana and Pa and had a blast playing with it all day.
Lila opened a new Janie and Jack outfit and immediately wanted to take off her pjs and try on her new clothes and hat.

Ian wearing new pj pants and opening presents.

Christmas Eve

We went to Momoo and Popoo's house on Christmas Eve for a party with extended family and then stayed after to exchange gifts with Momoo and Popoo. Lila once again had a blast opening presents and wanted to help everyone else open their presents.

Who knows how to use Photoshop? This would be a GREAT Christmas family picture if Lila was smiling.

Ian showing off his new shades.

Lila telling Snickers, "Puppy sit!".


Lila helping Nana open her gift exchange present.

First Round of Christmas

Due to the "wintery mix" weather we've been having, we decided to change our holiday plans and drive down to Clinton a day early and stay for the duration of the week. Despite needing to run around frantically to get everything ready to go, we took time to open our presents from Gary, Sue, and Erin.

Lila getting some help from Daddy opening a present.

Lila helping Ian with one of his gifts.

Lila loves her new Zoobie Pets hippo blanket.

Ian with his Amazon gift card from Erin. I had to talk him down from spending it immedately.

Mommy helping Lila open her present.

Four Days of Holiday Outfits

I am stealing an idea from the very fashionable Beth and Jackson and chronicling Lila's holiday outfits this season. She can only wear them for a short time, so we might as well document it on the blog.

Here's Lila's candy cane shirt that was a gift from our cousins Jeff and Jill last year.

The shirt says "good things come in small packages" and came from Target.

No, this is not a good picture, but it shows off Lila's beautiful Christmas Eve outfit. This might be my favorite outfit of Lila's ever!

Lila's Christmas Day outfit was a red shirt with a gingerbread man on it and red fleece lined jeans.

Santa! I Know Him!

Here's a super cute website where you can make personalized messages from Santa. Here's Lila's message from Santa:
http://portablenorthpole.sympatico.msn.ca/watch/aa6efeb20256225fa4309fc6ebbe0ada

Heard Around the House

Today is our third day of all being home together and things are getting nutty. Some things I heard around the house today:

[Bang! Crash!]
Ian: Don't worry Mom, nothing was broken and no one was hurt. I'm just making a launcher for my all terrain vehicle.
Me: That sounds like an outdoor activity.
Ian: Uh, Mom, it's cold outside.

Chris: Do you want me to body slam you?
Lila: [very enthusiastically] Uh-huh! Uh-huh!

And seen:
Lila making the stuffed Grinch give air kisses and air hugs to Nana and Pa.

A Rarity

Our nights out have become less rare since moving back to Illinois, but it is rare that we get dressed for a night out and remember to take a picture. Tonight we went to Jim and Jasna's for a holiday party and had a great time.

Snow Day

Ian had a snow day today and Chris decided to work from home, so everyone was home today. Lila usually says no with a look of sheer terror on her face when I ask if she wants to play in the snow, but today she said yes so we got all bundled up and went outside.

Ready to play in the snow!



Ian starting a snowman.

I don't like the snow!

After we came inside, Ian and I made thumbprint cookies.

The roads were better this afternoon, so I went shopping during Lila's nap and then all four of us went out for dinner. We ended the day with a game of Monopoly.

One Week Until Christmas

I took Lila to the mall to see Santa. The entire time that we waited in line, Lila waved and said, "Hi Santa! Ho ho ho!" over and over again. When the kids in front of us were sitting on Santa's lap, Lila watched and said yes when I asked her if she would sit on Santa's lap. Then, it was our turn. Lila took one look at Santa, said no, and clung to me like a tree frog.

This was the picture we got. Doesn't she look happy to be here?

When we walked away from Santa's village, Lila looked at Santa and said, "Hi Santa! Ho ho ho!".

Holiday Baking

I think I have a holiday baking addiction. This year I made roll out sugar cookies with cream cheese icing, snickerdoodles, peanut butter fudge and cranberry orange cookies. I'm sure there are lots of people that bake quite a bit more for the holidays, but my guess would be they plan to host a holiday party or two. I do not, so now the challenge is finding enough people to give cookies to so that we don't eat all of this ourselves.

And, just for reference, that is a two gallon tin filled to the top with sugar cookies!

Ian's Swim Meet

Ian had a swim meet that lasted all weekend, unlike his typical swim meets which are only on Friday nights. Ian swam two events on Saturday afternoon and two events this afternoon. Chris volunteered to be a timer for the meet yesterday, so I stayed home with Lila. Then today I got to go and watch the meet and take some pictures while Chris stayed home with Lila.

Ian waiting for his first event to be called.

Swimming freestyle.


Swimming the breaststroke.

Christmas Concert

Ian's school Christmas concert was today. I had to go straight to the concert from Lila's gymnastics class and unfortunately ended up forgetting my camera in my rush to get out of the house, so no pictures. But, Ian and the rest of the kids did a great job; the 5th graders sang two songs and played the recorder for one song.

My Laugh

As you know, my laugh is quite unique. As you probably also know, toddlers are hilarious. That means that I have been laughing a lot in Lila's presence lately. Apparently, she has also noticed the uniqueness of my laugh because she has started imitating the squeaking part. Like Lila herself, it's hilarious.

New Design

Thanks to Courtney for the new blog header!!

It's 3 Weeks Until Christmas!

Oh Ian

Lila is wearing this dress today.

When Ian saw her this morning he said, "Why the heck is Lila wearing a paint smock?"

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving!

Lila LOVES all of the trains that go through Elmhurst, so imagine her excitement when she got to see Popoo's model trains up close. She gave the trains hugs, pats, and kisses and said "chugga chugga chugga".

Lila have her first taste of meat ever, Thanksgiving turkey, as I watch in dismay.

Ian eating the drumstick, an annual tradition.

A Few Pictures

Here are a few pictures from last weekend.

Lila and Pa

Lila and Snickers checking out the neighbor dogs.


Ian making a specialty sandwich for Nana.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Yesterday we spent most of the day setting up our Christmas tree and decorating the house for Christmas. Both kids really enjoyed decorating the tree and dancing to the Christmas songs.

Lila handing ornaments to Ian.



Helping Daddy put ornaments on the top.

How do I get these out?


The finished tree!

Pre-Christmas Fun

I completely stole this idea from Courtney, but it's hilarious, so enjoy!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

What I Did Today

I know this is mostly about the kids, and I hope to have some pictures that my mom took this weekend to post soon, but today I ran a 5K in 25:50 which is a personal best for me so I wanted to share. I had a lot of fun and will definitely be running a 5K again soon. And by soon, I mean in the spring when it isn't 27 degrees during the race.

Video Extravaganza

So, I decided to actually make use of our video camera and got some super cute videos of little Lila.

Please excuse my horrible singing, but this is Lila doing the motions for her new favorite song.

Here are a couple of Lila showing off her skills.

Because She's Cute

Lila and I decided yesterday that every well-dressed toddler needs some leggings and since Lila still has not adjusted to the time change we needed a way to fill our LONG afternoon. So, Lila is sporting one of her new pairs of leggings today and she added her still too big boots to the outfit since she loves them. Every time I ask her to say "boots" she makes a kissing noise.