Dancing Queens

The girls' dance class performed in The Nutcracker over the weekend.  We were surprised by the production value of a park district class.. but the girls sure loved their big, fancy costumes and their parents loved watching them on stage.

Sugar plum fairies!

Cousin Lauren was in the same class... so fun performing together!

A very special part of the day was that Claire's kindergarten teacher, Miss Christensen, came to see the show and brought Claire flowers.  Claire was so happy!

Grammy and Babu came to see the show, too!  It was so special having them in the audience to cheer them on. We are so thankful for the way they encourage our girls. 

Festive weekend

We had a great weekend, doing some fun events in our town and in the big city!  Friday night we headed downtown to check out the Christmas walk and tree lighting in our new town.  We had pizza with some friends first and then checked out the parade, live nativity, first candy cane of Christmas to the mayor, and the tree lighting.  The Ellen show featured this event a few years ago.  It was so fun to experience it for the first time ourselves.  Hoping for many more years of celebrations here!  ;)

Justin's dad and stepmom arrived Friday night to check out our new digs.  On Saturday, we packed up the crew and took the train to Chicago for more Christmas festivities.  As soon as we sat down on the train, my mind was flooded with memories.  This was MY family's tradition every year that I can remember.  We would ride the train downtown, see the windows at Marshall Field's, shop, eat at the Walnut Room, and make sure to stock up on Frango mints.  It was pretty exciting to be doing the same thing with my own family many years later.

The girls have been asking to ride the train since we moved here.  So exciting to finally do it!

Our first stop was Macy's Marshall Fields.  

Chicago sign and historic clock!

Chicago at Christmastime is so much fun.  I love that our kids will know that same excitement.   P.S.  When did Claire get so big?!  

The girls loved hearing and seeing the story the windows told!

We headed to Millenium Park after deciding a 3 hour wait at the Walnut Room just wasn't going to cut it.  Maybe next year! :)

Checking out the bean!  Justin's parents had never been to Chicago so it was fun showing them around.

Stop for popcorn!

Sometimes I still can't believe we live in IL again.  There are pretty awesome things about it and also some pretty hard things about it.  But, this weekend definitely did our family good and sharing this tradition with our kids was really special.

1st birthday celebrations

So, even though Charlie isn't officially one for another few weeks, we celebrated his birthday a few weeks ago.  My sis in law is a smart woman and suggested that we do a combined party for the boys. My nephew Abishai turned one in October and Char turns one in December, so November was the perfect month to celebrate both of these little men!  Plus, splitting the work = bonus!  Also, who doesn't love two little boys in matching outfits??  Total score!  

We love a good theme so went with The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  My rockstar friend Meg and Pinterest helped us with the ideas.

Loved these caterpillars with a picture of the boys from each month.

My bro and sis in law hosted and it was a full house!  Lots of kids and noise and chaos.  On our drive there, I was overwhelmed thinking of how amazing it is to drive 45 minutes and be able to be with family for the day.  We are so thankful!

Standing room only for present opening!  This was serious business.

These two boys are such amazing gifts to our families.  So special hearing the dads pray for their boys!

Note the matching outfits... amazing, right?  ;)

Cake eating was hilarious.

My favorite part was Charlie deciding hands were not necessary.  

I can't get over the cuteness!

This might be my favorite picture of the day!

It ended in disaster.  But we all survived.  

Oh and bonus - when your sis-in-law is a photographer, you get awesome party pics!  Thanks for the pics, Rox!

It was a crazy, hectic, amazing, exhausting day!  We are thankful for family who love us and our boys and that helped us celebrate them!  Oh, and thanks for letting us use trash your house, Engstroms!  ;)

Backsplash

The backsplash is done!  A few little details left.. but it's mostly done.  Yay!  

Before

 After

The new tiles really lightened up the room.  I love it!  

Close up of before.  It was too dark and too busy.  And just poorly done.

Next project on the list is to paint the cabinets white.  Big task but hopefully will come with some big impact.  It's so fun and rewarding to make small, inexpensive changes that have a big impact.  Thankful for my handy hubby!