Ringing in 2015

We had a fabulous New Year's Eve. Matt grilled a delicious steak dinner for us to enjoy before we ventured to the downtown area to check out the NYE festivities and get our last ice cream of 2014. We stopped at our favorite ice cream shop (Kilwin's) and walked around the busy streets enjoying the music and the sites. As it got closer to Evy's bedtime we headed back  to the hotel and spent a couple more hours with Charlie lighting sparklers and playing Go Fish, which is his new favorite game. He made it until about 9 pm before heading to bed. Matt and I the enjoyed drinks poolside until midnight. Happy New Year!

(In the town square) 

(Evy finally well enough to smile!)

(Happy in Daddy's arms)

(Last family photo of 2014)

(Me and my baby)

(He's growing so fast!)

(Happy Charlie)

(Sparkling)

(Handsome boy)

(Happy New Year!)

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Maybe it wasn't a jet plane, but we did fly on an airplane to Florida. Evy and Charlie did well, despite the fact that our flight was late, Evy was up past her bedtime and had a fever, and after a three hour flight we were stuck on the tarmac for an hour. It's still the best way to travel for us. 

(Lots of smiles) 

(The giggles are setting in) 

(No one, not even Evy, wanted to come home)

(Charlie still the super star traveler!) 

Christmas 2014 Recap

Another Christmas in the books. We didn't get as many pictures as we would have liked because with a four year old and a one year old we had our hands full this year. We spent lots of time with family and the kids were given more gifts than I know what to do with. These are the pictures we were able to get that were not blurry!  

(Getting ready for the party)

(Charlie with Santa)

(Evy not so sure about Santa)

(Charlie telling the "real" Santa what he wants for Christmas)

(Evy learning the joy of opening presents)

(The kids happy on Christmas morning in matching pajamas)

(Charlie the Christmas Elf) 

(Charlie with the Dobry Santa)

EC Holiday Concert

Today was the annual holiday concert at school. Charlie's class sang "Snow Angels" and it was absolutely adorable, especially the end of his set. (The video is a bit shaky but we were having technical difficulties this morning)

(Pre-concert photo)

(Brother - sister love)

(Handsome and ready for the show)

(True love) 

The first video is Charlie's class taking their place on the risers in the gym. The second video is his concert. 

Christmas Festivities with Friends

Today after school, one of Charlie's best friends from school came over to decorate gingerbread houses. There was lots of conversations and giggles fueled by excessive candy eating!

(Lilija and Charlie) 

(Evy getting in on the fun - or at least she participated in eating frosting)

Zoo Lights 2014

We had to take advantage of the rare warm weather so we decided to walk to Lincoln Park Zoo for zoo lights. We were not the only people who thought that zoo lights on a 40 degree night was a good idea, so it was very crowded. In the end, we were able to see a couple animals and check out the lights before we had to head home for bed. I think it's safe to say that everyone had fun.

Angel Baby

I think Evy is always happy in her high chair because that means food is near.

Gratitude

Matt and I both consider ourselves very lucky, but these two children complete our lives. We are so blessed to have a happy and healthy family.

Do you wanna build a snowman?

Charlie came up with his own art project today. His creativity and vision for projects is unbelievable! 

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Mini-Marshmallow

Aunt Jody bought Evy a snowsuit for the winter and I think it is adorable. She looks like a mini-marshmallow and it keeps her very warm! 

Visiting the Fish

Charlie had the day off school today so we had a mid-day family outing at the Shedd Aquarium. Evy had never been and it has been years since Charlie visited. As suspected Evy loved all of the fish and made her fish faces throughout the museum. Charlie is half fish and mesmerized by all things water, so it was a great day. Unfortunately, I did not get many pictures because the kids were moving too fast for the camera!

Evy's Last Bottle

Evy had her last bottle before bed tonight. She doesn't seem to be bothered, but I am slightly sad that my baby is getting so big!

Happy Halloween

Our trick or treating plans with friends fell through because of terrible weather, we decided to start our night at our gym's trick or treating event. The gym hosts an amazing Halloween party. The gym was decorated and there were different stations for candy and Halloween activites. After we enjoyed dinner there we decided to take Charlie down the block leading home (he had to at least ring a few doorbells), but once we were back outside we were happy to discover that is was no longer raining and not quite as cold. Charlie managed to stay out in the neighborhood for another hour and had quite a haul!

Carving Pumpkins

Last night we finally carved the biggest pumpkin ever (it weighed 40 pounds, as much as Charlie). Evy was fascinated by the pumpkin and kept taking pieces out of the inside to try and one one point Charlie even tasted it to see what Evy thought tasted so good. In the end, I think this was one of the best pumpkins yet.

(Look at all of those seeds!)

(YUM!)

(Checking it out)

(Tasting a piece)

(Evy taste testing)

(Drawing the spooky face)

(Evy is helping clean the pumpkin)

(Ta-da! The final product!)