Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!

Getting ready for Christmas

We did a lot of fun things in December to get ready for Christmas. We had a sleepover and cooking baking day at Grandma and Grandpa's. John was away for the weekend, so it was a good excuse to head to Mom and Dad's and have some quality time eating, playing, and making cookies and treats. We had a great time, even though we didn't get as many cookies made as we thought we would :)  

The girls with Grandma before bed.

The next day Aunt Steph and Uncle Mikey joined us for baking.

Charlotte supervised.

Even Grandpa and Uncle Mike got in on the baking. 

A very fun weekend!

One day we went to Bass Pro Shop, where they have a reindeer carousel, and Santa was there too!

Anabelle and Santa deep in conversation.

I made a tree out of felt for the girls to decorate and undecorate.

Here are all of our Santa photos from Macy's and Bass Pro Shop, we were lucky to get to see St. Nick so many times!

Going to see St. Nick

We took Anabelle and Charlotte to Macy's on State Street in Chicago to see Santa. Mom and I have been going downtown to see the big tree and eat in the Walnut Room since we have moved to Chicago about 20 years ago, it is fun to now be able to take the girls along with us. Anabelle and Charlotte did a great job, and we all had a fun day!

Anabelle came prepared with her list for Santa. This year she asked for the book "If you take a Mouse to the Movies"

Anabelle had a lot of fun dancing with "Cinnamon" the elf at Santaland.

Walking through the maze to get to Santa, so much to see.

Finally found the big man! Anabelle gives him her list.

Charlotte loves Santa!

Daddy was able to come over from work and join us for lunch at the Walnut room.

Anabelle checks out the tree from the top floor.

Charlotte did great most of the day, but finally was so tired she passed out. We took this opportunity to put a Santa hat on her and take some pictures. I had been having a hard time getting her to wear it, she whips it off so fast whenever I put it on her :)

Pine cone feeder

Last week we had a burst of warm weather, so we decided to take a trip to the "little" zoo (Cosley Zoo in Wheaton). While there we bought some large pine cones, and decided to make bird/squirrel feeders out of them.

Charlotte loves to look in the mirror.

Checking out the ducks at the zoo.

The next day it was time to make the feeders. First you tie some twine to the top and then you spread peanut butter all over the pine cone.

Then you sprinkle it with oatmeal, make sure you cover the whole thing!

Then you take it outside and find a good spot to hang it.

Then while it's still warm out you convince Daddy to pull you around in the wagon :)

Weee! Faster Daddy!!

Mommy and Charlotte watching from inside :)

Anabelle's 1st Haircut

Today Anabelle went for her 1st haircut. Really it was the smallest amount you could cut off and still call it a haircut :)  Just a trim to ease us into the process of getting haircuts (Mom included). She did great! Sat so still and seemed to enjoy the experience overall. 

Before

After