Christmas Eve...Annabelle all dressed up for her part in the Christmas Eve Pagent.

At church with friends.

...And the stockings were hung by the fireplace with care....

Christmas morning...what a mess.  I adore Christmas....but despise the ritual of gifts on Christmas morning (yes, I am a scrooge)

Annabelle riding her new scooter in the house after church on Christmas Day.

"Welcome to McDonalds, may I take your order please?"

"Can I have a turn now, Dad?"

Making our traditional green (spinach) fettucine for Christmas dinner.

The day after Christmas in Chicago.  We visited American Girl with Aunt Elizabeth (my sister) and Grandma Rudy.

Inside American girl.  Annabelle's cousin Ganan was a good sport and tagged along.

Annabelle and cousin Ganan having a hot cocoa at Ghiradelli.

Nathaniel gazing at the trains on the ground floor of the John Hancock building.

Chicago's Water Tower at night.

Eating Giordonno's pizza at the Omni with our cousins.

Nathaniel and his cousin Jacob.

Annabelle with her first room service breakfast!

Mom and Annabelle in the pool.

My sister's family with me and Annabelle in the Omni lobby.

Dec. 27...it was unseasonably warm in Chicago.  We walked to Navy Pier - here are Annabelle and Nathaniel with cousins Ganan and Noah.  

Annabelle in front of the Cinderella display at the Chicago Marshall Fields display.

Riding the L with Grandma Rudy.

Dec 28...Annabelle playing the piano at Grandma and Grandpa Ludwig's house.

Playing UNO with mom at Grandparent Ludwig's house.

It was close to 60 - Annabelle got to scooter outside!

Nathaniel had fun on this little car at grandparent Ludwig's house.

No visit would be complete without a stamping session with Grandma Ludwig!

Dec 29...visiting and Grandma and Grandad David. (my dad and wife)

Annabelle playing with Grandma

Annabelle with cousins James and Kloey (my stepsister's children).

Nathaniel playing Brio with Grandad.

Annabelle and Nathaniel with Grandad and Grandma David.

Dinner at Arni's with Grandma Rudy.

Nathaniel loves the smiley face fries at Arni's.

New Year's Eve lunch at Grandma Rudy's

Nathaniel playing with trains while wearing his new engineer's hat at Grandma Rudy's.

Our New Year's Eve Boggle Tournament!

Making pasta at Grandma Rudy's.

Annabelle snuggling with Grandma Rudy while watching the American Girl movie, Felicity: An American Girl Adventure.

Happy New Year Jack !  (my mom's grumpy 3rd husband!)