Farewell 2010

We had fun enjoying things around town as a family the week after Christmas.  Big George finally got to see the Nature Center that we joined.  It was a pretty mild day so we decided to hike down to the lake.  I was in heaven taking photographs with the abundance of natural light.  Magnolia, ever obsessed with reindeer, was convinced that she found reindeer antlers.  She begged to take it home but we decided to put in a special place so we could find it the next time we visit.  Phew.

With such unseasonably warm weather we decided to head to the zoo the following day.  This is where Magnolia revealed to us that she could skip.  This was so exciting that before we knew it, we were all skipping through the zoo.  

Afterwards we hunted down an old Italian restaurant in town.  It was worth the hunting.  The kiddos loved the homemade soup and pizza.  

We did our annual trip to Chicago the day after Christmas.  It was cold and big George was sick so we didn't venture out much.  Well, I did when they were all napping.  So for me, it was super fun!

The kids loved seeing their cousins, Musa & Isa, who also joined us there.  Here they are dancing in the lobby while we all gathered and visited.

The favorite part was the swimming.  We have two little fish!  These two spent most of their time in the water.

After checking out we decided to get some lunch at Ed Debevic's.  Oh how I loved this place when I was young.  It was fun to go back. 

It was a great final week of the year!!!

Christmas 2010

Our Christmas was wonderful!  There is nothing like seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child and living in their excitement!  

We celebrated Christmas Eve at my parents house.  Magnolia arrives and inspects the presents to see which ones have her name of them.

George takes a long time to open gifts but eventually catches on and really likes to do it himself.

Nana makes the fabulous seafood casserole we grew up on every single Christmas Eve.  Just like my sister said, "it just smells like Christmas Eve."  

Santa leaves stockings on the foot of the bed.  We open them and have a small breakfast in our bed.

George gets a bulldozer fork and spoon.  Perfect to dig into the marscapone!

Santa brings Magnolia a rocking horse.  The ONE and only thing she asked for.  Pure joy on her face when she sees it!

George gets his own rocking horse too and some dogs which now hang out in his bedroom.  We like to put socks and shoes on them.

George puts his dog in Magnolia's horse barn.  I think it's funny too George!

It's all about horses with Magnolia this year. ..she loved her horse barn and the family of horses that came with it.

George really loves Magnolia's rocking horse too.

He figures out how to "ride" it with her.

Christmas day was spent eating and playing with new toys.

We took a long walk, opened the rest of the presents in front of the fire and had a cozy dinner.

Hope yours was merry and bright too!

Warmest wishes to you for a very happy holiday!

The Gingerbread Party

The Gingerbread Party was super fun!   This was the longest time I've had anybody sit and decorate a house, these guys were into it!  Magnolia sat quietly and went to work.

Lilah had a plan.  

Margaret just sat there and grinned ear to ear with a pile of Hershey bars.

Nana said "This is so much fun!"

Magnolia applied Hershey kisses all over her roof and declared that they were "shooters" to shoot blood at the bad people who will come to her house.  Therapy needed or just a good imagination?  Still deciding...

Sophia didn't ask for any help.  She worked very hard and quietly ate candy along the way.

This may be my favorite photo of the night.  

I mean, seriously, that graham cracker on the roof makes me laugh out loud.

Lots of laughs, lots of sugar, lots of running in circles around the house, it was a blast!

Thanks family for coming and humoring me in one of my favorite holiday activities!

For those who asked for the recipe...

Hot Gingerbread Punch
8 servings
Dec. 2010 Bon Appetit


3 cups water
2 12 oz. bottles Guinness stout
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. finely chopped fresh ginger
12 whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
3 whole cardamon pods, cracked
1 orange
1 1/2 c. dark rum
Lightly sweetened  whipped cream
ground cinnamon


Combine first 7 ingredients in large saucepan.  Using vegetable peeler, remove peel from orange in strips (orange part only) and add to stout mixture.  Bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.  Simmer over medium-low heat 15 minutes.  Remove from heat and let stand 15 minutes.  Strain liquid into bowl; discard solids in strainer.  Cover and refrigerate punch at least 8 hours or overnight.  Combine chilled punch and rum in large saucepan and bring to simmer over medium-low heat.  Pour hot punch into small teacups.  Top with whipped cream and cinnamon.

Getting Out of the House

We had some seriously cold days this week.  I was actually starting to feel cabin fever which put me in a panic because winter has only just begun.  We decided to go and check out the nature center just a few miles up the road from us along Lake Michigan.  I quickly signed us up to be members and then we headed out for a VERY short walk.  It was perfect.  We all got red cheeks and felt a little exhilarated by the freezing temps.  

Nani was with us and was a great spotter of many animal tracks in the snow.

Magnolia made tracks of her own.

Magnolia has a sudden interest in wearing scarves.  I wasn't too excited by any in the stores so Nani suggested we make some from recycled wool.  Great idea.  I made Magnolia's and she made George's.  

Don't you just love those fire engines???

I was feeling like there was no way I could pull off a gingerbread house decorating party this year but I just couldn't let it go.  After all, I made 8 houses last year with an 8 month old.  Today I made 5 houses, called my parents and sister and asked them to come over and join in the fun this weekend.   I'm going to make punch for the first time and a hot gingerbread drink made from Guinness, dark rum, lots of spices, and topped with whipped cream.  Doesn't that sound good?

last year's lineup...just look at that little guy!

Happy Holidays!!!