Christmas

My rosy happy little man

Lana playing with poppers on Christmas Eve

Me and my Boy

Alana trying on her princess dress on Christamas day

Pure Awe

Matt and Alexis playing Santa on XMas Eve

Heather and baby Aiden (6 mos old)

German XMas Market, Zoolights and Santa Visit

Xander actually didn't cry while on Santa's lap like Alana did her first and second times. Maybe because it was a different Santa this year? Alana surprised me this year with giving me a list of four items that she wanted from Santa: A purple backpack, a barbie horse, a baby snow white doll and a princess snow white dress. I think she will be getting her wish:) While we were visiting Santa, she realized she only got to tell him one of the things she wanted because she and Tristan were both there at the same time. When she tried to go back to tell him it was already another child's turn to sit on his lap. She had a very concerned look on her face, so I told her that Mommy told Santa what she wanted while Aunt Sarah was putting on her shoes. She looked skeptical and made me repeat the list of items. I did so and she seemed relieved. We decided we are going to write a letter to Santa as well just to "remind" him.

Xander in the moving truck.

Last weekend we went to the Kris Kindelmart German XMas market. We ate potato pancakes and saw lots of handcrafted ornaments and other items. Alana liked the giant nutcracker, too.

On Friday we went to Lincoln Park for their annual zoolights festival. This was Alana's second time there, but last year we skipped it due to my very large 9 mos. pregnant size. We drank hot chocolate, saw some nocturnal animals, loved the light sculptures and displays, and had a very nice time.

They had a train exhibit next to the zoo at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. It was amazing! Along with the engines, they also had all of the gothic architecture historical landmarks from around Chicago in lit up dollhouse form.

Chanukah Party

Yesterday my mom and I spent the day cooking and preparing for a Chanukah party at our place. This year it was just the four of us plus Gammy. What a feast! We had the best turkey I've ever eaten courtesy of my mother, rice stuffing (which Matt could eat, yay!), cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and a honey cake which I make every year that was my Grandma Anna's famous recipe. Somehow, it never manages to even come close to hers but I try my best:)

Thanksgiving and Holiday preparations