Just when you thought Christmas was over...

we've got one more for you! At our house we like to drag out Christmas for as long as possible, celebrating multiple times, with lots of different people, across several states. So this past Sunday we had John's Dad and family over to have our Christmas together. We spent the day opening gifts, eating a yummy dinner, laughing, and watching football. Here are some pictures from our Christmas.

Anabelle scoping out the gifts

Hmmm.... I wonder what it is?

Kari and Joe

Among many other things, Anabelle also got a cool new hat-so stylin'!

A remote control helicopter! Sure to be crashed into lots of Christy's things =)

Playing with Grandpa

Anabelle entertains the crowd

Abby and Anabelle playing

Hey Grandpa, check out what's over there!

Abby, Joe, Zac, and John

All they need is big brother Mike laying across their laps!

We are now officially done with Christmas! Yay!!! I love the holidays but by the time they are over I am so ready to move on. Monday morning Anabelle and I took down the tree and decorations and now we are settling back into our routine. The last few days have been spent sleeping in, taking extra long naps, making trips to the grocery store, and catching up on laundry. Anabelle has been in a great mood, laughing and playing with all of her new toys. She's been a little clingy lately, hanging on my legs if I attempt to do anything other than sit and play with her, or hold her. But I will take that over a cranky baby any day. Hope you are all settling into the new year and enjoying the quietness that follows the hectic holiday season.

Houston wrap up

Well we are back home now, but I still had some more pictures to share of our time in Houston. We spent the last few days there relaxing, visiting with friends and family, and having fun. We were able to celebrate Donte's 15th birthday on Dec 30th. I remember babysitting for him with John when he was just 2 years old, and wanted to watch "Percules" (his version of Hercules). And said "jes" instead of yes. Boy do kids grow up fast, now he is going to be learning to drive!

Anabelle enjoyed running around the kitchen

Ken, Sue and John getting ready for Donte's party by resting up and having a drink =)

Flanagan and Sullivan trying to steal some snacks

Me and my Belle

The Delaneys

Donte opens up some presents

CAKE!!!

Grandma lights the candles

Anabelle loves cake, just like her mommy!

Taylor and Anabelle

Aunt Tish, John, and Anabelle

On our way to the airport we had to stop at Humble City Cafe for breakfast, they have some great food. Despite being a little rushed because of some flight time changes, we still had a good meal. Here are some last minute pics with Grandma, Grandpa, and Super Duper Aunt Tish. Thanks for a great visit, we really had a fun time!!

Grandpa, Anabelle & Grandma

Anabelle and Super Duper Auntie Tish

Texas Bowl

On Wednesday John and I went to Reliant Stadium in Houston to watch U of I take on Baylor in the Texas Bowl game. Much thanks to Grandma, Grandpa and Super Duper Auntie Tish who watched Anabelle for us. We thought that she would be quite a handful at the game if she went with us, and we probably wouldn't see much of the game b/c we'd be chasing her all over.

Getting to the game was quite a challenge. The weather was pretty terrible, a torrential downpour with thunder and lightning was wreaking havoc on Houston. We went the wrong way and had to backtrack a little, and traffic as pretty bad. Reliant Stadium had no signs marking where to park, and then we had to run through the pouring rain to get in. Once we made it to the door we were told it was the wrong door! Back out in the rain we ran to the correct door and finally we made it inside; we were soaking wet! That's ok, at least we were there. We grabbed a drink and headed to our seats.

We had pretty good seats; in the corner of the end zone, in the 1st section. We settled in to watch the game. Illinois did a great job and kept the lead for the whole game. Baylor decided to put up a little fight, but U of I held on to the lead. We had a great time cheering for them, munching on snacks and enjoying our "date night". After the game we decided to stick around and watch the trophy ceremony and see the players run into the tunnel. We got to see some of the bigger players sign autographs and lots of fans having a great time cheering for them. Go Illini!!

The game

The top of the tunnel that the players run through

Do we look like those couples at Great America that wear matching outfits? LOL!

Illinois scores and the flag comes out

Final scoreboard

John was very happy to see his alma matter win a bowl game!

Champions

The quarterback: Nathan Scheelhaase

MVP Mikel Leshoure: he broke 5 records during the game

The coach Ron Zook giving someone a hi-five: this was his first bowl game win

Christmas in Houston

This year we are in Houston, Texas to celebrate Christmas with John's family. We flew in on December 23rd, late in the evening. Anabelle did pretty well with the flight, sleeping for the 1st hour and then waking up, once up, she was a little cranky. We were able to tide her over with books, singing, and raisins-the kid loves her raisins!

Since we have been in Houston we have been enjoying lots of time with family and of course lots of good food. John's Great Aunt Tish, also referred to as Super-Duper Auntie Tish, flew in from Las Vegas to visit. John's older brother Mike, wife Mary, and their 4 kids also live here in Houston. We are so happy that we get to see them all when we come to town. In John's family they have their big celebration Christmas Eve. Their tradition is to eat Italian sausage for dinner, have a family sing-a-long to Mitch Miller's Christmas Album, and then open presents. Then on Christmas Day there are lots of snackies and a big turkey dinner. Here are some pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we had a great time!

Merry Christmas!

Mary and Mike

Dominick (6), Taylor(12), Donte(15), and Giana(8)

John entertained us with some guitar playing

Anabelle testing out the doggie beds

Anabelle chatting with Super Duper Auntie Tish

Giana models her reindeer antlers

Anabelle and Dominick take a look at Mike's sheet music to the Mitch Miller Sing-a-Long. I love how her little hand is on his back, so cute!

Singing with Grandma and Aunt Mary

Anabelle liked to give people the Santa hat to wear.

Dancing with Aunt Mary

Dancing with Dominick

Go Anabelle, Go Anabelle!

Time to open presents!

Anabelle is in bed, it's time to play a game. Here we are playing Bubble Talk, a fun game that we got Giana for Christmas. That game had us all laughing.

Christmas Day, Sullivan is ready for dinner

Yum!

Anabelle woke up from a nap just in time to have some turkey dinner!

I tried to get a good picture of all the cousins together. It is really hard with Anabelle, she doesn't sit still very well. These 2 were the best.

We will be in Houston till the 31st and then it's back home to Chicago. I am sure I will have more fun pictures to post before we head back, so check back in a day or two. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!