Mug

We have been really lazy (um, I mean relaxing) the last couple of days. I ventured out of the house yesterday for the first time in 2 days.....we were having a heat wave--in the 40's. Today is no different except tonight M painted a mug. I see hot cocoa in the future!!

Christmas Day

Relaxing on the couch watching A Christmas Story....

Lights out.......

Santa's Cookies and Milk

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve at the pfours with friends....

And who else but the traveling elf gnome......you never know where the elf will show up next!!!

Santa's Elf......

And more cookies......

Afternoon at The Nutcracker

Yesterday afternoon, we met friends downtown at the Auditorium Theatre to the see The Joffrey Ballet Nutcracker. I had seen a production of The Nutcracker years ago while in Atlanta, but this was M's first time. She was so excited to see the dancers. During the first scene, I think she was expecting a little more ballet dancing, but all in all she had a great time. A couple of times she really perked up during the performance when she heard music that she dances to at her dance classes. She said her favorite part of the performance was the music!!

We knew a couple of the kids that were in the show so that made it even more exciting. They were awesome! Afterwards, their parents hosted a Magical Nutcracker party. There were several other families there whose kids were in the show so we got an impromptu private peformance by all of the kids!

Let it snow.......

Friday night the three of us along with the pfours bundled up and walked a couple of blocks to Trattoria 225 for some pizza. The pizza was good but the trip there and back was even more exciting. The kids (and big kids) had a snowball fight the entire trip back to the house. When we got home, M was soaked and exhausted! Highly recommended if your little ones are high on sugar and needs a little release.

More holiday cookies....

Santa's Card

M created her first card to Santa this year. I think he will love it!!

A Cause for Celebration

(OK, I admit this photo is a little on the freaky side. Like little girls typically are at her age (until college), M was in a silly mood.)

Today was M's first graduation....of gymnastics class that is. Check out her fancy medal. She's been taking this class since the Fall and absolutely loves it and Coach Katie. Her favorite part of class is this foam cylinder thingy that the kids go inside and roll around. She's on her "winter break" and will return to classes in January. Exciting.

And.....

we could not let this event go without celebration. We baked some biscotti using Mom Mom's recipe. M helped by cracking the eggs and stirring the liquids. Then, we put on Charlie Brown's Christmas for M so that we could finish the rest in peace :-)) Mmmm, our bellies like!!

A water filled weekend...

We left around noon on Friday and headed up to the Wisconsin Dells for the first time ever to one of the 20+ waterparks in the area. We were meeting our friends Kim and Doug along with their two kids. We stayed in the Glacier Lodge at the Wildnerness Resort. Our suite was really nice with separate bedrooms and a full kitchen.

M had her first bunk bed experience. I know this is shocking but as soon as we dragged our bags to the room, we were "ordered" to put our swimsuits on so that we could go to the waterpark. Our little fish had an absolute blast everyday and so did we.

And to add to the excitement of the weekend, M got to see Santa Claus. Before Santa could get a word out M had run up to him and said "I want pink sparkly paint for Christmas." Well, I guess the honeymoon is over!

Christmas Tree

We picked out our Christmas tree earlier this week.....

....and finally finished trimming it today with Christmas music in the background to get us in the mood for the holidays. Only one breakable ornament bit the dust. I guess not to bad :-))

Pizza Night at the Pfours

Today, we joined the Pfours for their traditional Friday night pizza. We had a blast and the pizza was excellent. Good times! Thanks for the invite, Pfours.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving weekend in MS.....

Granny Rose

The other day M wanted to play dress up with her favorite earrings....check these bad boys out!!

I admit these earrings are a bit on the cheesy side, but they make up for the mounds of cheese with loads of sentimental value. These belonged to my Granny Rose. Granny Rose had a thing for costume jewelry. God forbid, you ever saw her outside of her house without a pair of gaudy earrings and ruby red lipstick. These were a couple of her many trademarks and we loved her for them. But for me, Granny Rose was a lot more than costume jewelry and lipstick.....she was my inspiration. She was a strong lady who spoke her mind (which wasn't as accepted in her day as it is now). Feisty little lady.... all almost 5 foot of her!!! And, this is what inspired me. She always told me every chance she got that I could do anything I wanted in life which I think is the best gift anyone can receive--encouragement. She showed me that there was more to this world than my immediate world. This was particularly important to me. Mind you, Granny Rose was not perfect having her own issues just like everyone else, but that just added to her charm. Granny Rose is no longer with us, but I think of her often. I'm so thankful that I was fortunate enough to have her in my life. Everyone deserves a Granny Rose.

9 Years Going Strong

Today is my 9 year wedding anniversary. Chris surprised me with some yummy chocolate this morning and then with some roses tonight. When M saw the flowers she got really excited and said, "Oh, Daddy, are the flowers for me?" And, without thinking it through, he said "No, they are for Mommy...it's our wedding anniversary." Oh no!!!! For a 3 year old everything in the whole wide world is about THEM and M didn't take too well to that statement and sulked with her cute little bottom lip poked out for a while. Needless to say, M and I are sharing the beautiful flowers :-)))

Alas.....

I am back and it feels good to be home. For the last few days I've been on a work trip attending our global legal conference. Where you may ask? Miami, FL. I wasn't super excited about this trip but I can't really complain (last year our global conference was in Prague so you can see the reason for my lack of excitement!!). I've been to Miami a couple of other times and it really doesn't float my boat. Surprisingly I am not hip enough for this scene. Chris gave me regular Chicago weather updates......27 degrees, etc. It was in the 80's everyday in Miami---that's a treat!!

We were booked solid the entire time except for Wednesday afternoon--which was alone time. Each year we have a group activity (treasure hunts, cultural tours, tour of castle, etc.) We stayed at a resort this year so I elected to enjoy the spa. I had my first ever total body salt exfoliation treatment. Imagine the best bath you have ever had and double it! NICE!! I have never felt so clean before, hehe! I have to admit that I was a little nervous at first since I had no idea what to expect, but soon I let all of that stuff go and enjoyed the treatment. I would definitely recommend.

Pippi

Here's our Pippi Longstocking!!

History Is Made

This picture is courtesy of Drudgereport.com

Tonight Chris and I hunkered down on the couch in our basement thinking this would be a LONG night to watch the election results from start to finish. Chris and I aren't very political so that's a first for us and shows just how important this election was--no matter who you elected to vote for. OK, I have to admit I fell asleep a couple of times, but Chris stayed awake the entire time and poked me a little after 10PM telling me---"They just called California and the election....Obama won!" I am extremely proud of our country. And, for some reason, perhaps because I come from a small town in MS where racism is pretty much the norm for the older generation (and some of the young ones), I'm even more proud and excited.

Woo-hoo, as M says!

I VOTED

I woke up at the crack of dawn this morning to go vote anticipating a LONG wait at the voting site. Not too bad though--- only a little over an hour. (I think half of Oak Park voted early!). Felt good! Now to wait and see.

Sunday Morning Delight

This is what M and I woke to this morning. French Toast stuffed with Nutella. (Mel, Chris must have been inspired by your Nutella Crepes blog!). OK, I know this picture doesn't do this dish justice but it was first thing in the morning.

OMG....sinfully good! Why can't every morning be like this?!?!?

M and I dig our guy!

Date Night

We had a new culinary experience tonight. Chris and I had a double date with our good friends Rob and Kara. Rob suggested May Street Market in West Town. None of us had been to this restaurant and after looking at the website I felt that it was more of an food-as-art type of restaurant with skimpy portions. What's the problem with that you say--well, I like to eat!!! I was right it was art but they didn't skim on quality or quantity. The food was excellent!! And, I loved the whole vibe of the restaurant---eloquent, sleek, stylish, but really comfortable and nature inspired at the same time-- not pretentious at all. You can order normally or they offer a full three-course meal for $32. We did both. Way to go Rob. Can't wait for our next adventure!

Here are a few pics:

Maytag blue cheesecake, roasted seedling farms peaches, arugula, spiced pecans, white peach sorbet

Fried green tomato with vine ripened tomato salad, wild watercress, and zucchini chutney

Red wine poached beef tenderloin, porcini risotto, herb salad potato basquet, goat brie cheese