Let It Snow...

Now that we're into December, winter has arrived in full force. We've had some beautiful snowfalls and are enjoying the pretty winter scene. Gavin took in his first Bears game, joined by Erik and our neighbors Rob and Moritz. The snow fell throughout the game and they all had a great time! The kids have also spent a lot of time playing in the snow with neighbors and friends on the street. They rotate between fun snowball fights, building snowmen and creating snow forts. They can't get enough! I enjoy watching from inside with hot cocoa or spice tea, ha ha.

Walking to the stadium to cheer on the Bears... 

A chilly, but pretty evening at the Botanic Garden

Cozy reading time with Daddy

Erik and I went out to dinner with friends, and when we left the restaurant, the snow had started to softly fall...it was very picturesque with the lights glowing on the trees.

Thanksgiving 2016!

Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday around here! It's such a cozy time of year when we put extra focus on being grateful and spending time with family. We spent this holiday with family once again, starting with the Brown crew in Clarendon Hills and eventually making our way to the Harding house in Lafayette, IN. We are so thankful for Mary & Don and Tracy & Steve for hosting and preparing such delicious Thanksgiving meals! On our drive back home on Sunday, we decided in the moment to stop at Fair Oaks Farm, which we always pass as we drive up and down I-65 but have never had time to stop. This time, we did! It's a huge farm, a tourist attraction of sorts, with a big restaurant and various buildings with viewing areas. We spent our time in the high ropes course and the kids had a blast! It was a great way to break up the drive.

Here are our photos of all the fun...

All gathered around Grammy's pretty table!

Original Brown Family selfie!

The best way to spend an afternoon, snuggling with my little lovebug.

Card games with Reder cousins at the Harding's house

The weather was beautiful!  Lots of football and roughhousing in the yard!

The chef preps the turkey...

Tyler knew who to ask for a story...

The high-ropes course at Fair Oaks Farm...

November Fun

We had some fun this month with a visit from Shannon, Michael and Ellie!  We were so happy to have them pop in while they were in Chicago for a teen allergy conference. The kids always enjoy seeing cousins!

Gavin also had a blast attending his first Blackhawks game.  His buddy, Will, is a hockey player and his team played on the ice prior to the Blackhawks, and Gavin enjoyed cheering on his friend!

November also brings cozy family nights on the couch.  I might not love the cold weather, but I'm always happy to find a spot on the couch with a cozy blanket and kids to snuggle!

2106: THE CUBS WIN THE WORLD SERIES!

This October (actually - it was the during the early morning hours of November 3), the Cubs won the World Series for the first time in 108 years.  We had so much fun rooting them on throughout the season!  Erik's been a fan since childhood; I joined him once we got married. Our kids have been raised as loyal Cubs fans.  This October was especially memorable as they worked their way through the postseason.  The entire town (and much of the nation, it seemed) would tune in for every second of every game.  The buzz was incredible!  The "W" flags were flying on more houses than not; everyone was out and about wearing their Cubbie blue; every store was cashing in on the merchandise. It was loads of fun!  On November 4, a couple days after the big win, we joined the masses downtown for the parade.  It was crazy and crowded and worth it for the memories...here are some of our highlights through photos!

Cheering on the Cubs at a game in August

Even Flat Stanley became a fan!

Erik went to the first game of the postseason on October 7; the National League Division Series vs. the Giants.
He said it was electric!

We had a fun viewing party on our block for the final NLCS game vs. the Dodgers on October 22.

The fire pit was lovely, as the nights were getting cooler!

Tyler got to stay up WAY past his bedtime, so he is all smiles with a fuzzy hat and his bunny and blanket.

The Cubs beat the Dodgers 5-0.  After this game came the World Series!

Erik and his buds went to Murphy's for Game 3 of the World Series against the Cleveland Indians on October 28.
(The series went to the full 7 games, and game 7 went into extra innings!)

The iconic sign at Wrigley Field

The Botanic Garden had an amazing jack-o-lantern display, and we saw this impressive pumpkin!

Game 7 was a nail biter; it went well into the wee hours!

They did it!!!

We joined a crew of friends and made the crazy trek downtown for the parade.  A lot of waiting, walking, squishing...but super fun to see the players parade through the streets with their hard-earned trophy!

Hitching a ride with Daddy

The crowds were just massive.

"W" flags on buildings everywhere

A quick family photo!

There's Anthony Rizzo!

David Ross held the trophy...

A sea of people everywhere you look

Hooray!  Let's hope the next World Series doesn't take so long...

Happy Halloween 2016

Happy Halloween from Picachu, a Stealth Ninja, and Lightning McQueen!  We had a great time dressing up, parading at school, ringing doorbells in the neighborhood, and making candy trades with friends at the end of the night.

Tyler's 3s class all dressed up for the daytime school parade!

Lightning McQueen!

Picachu and her twin!

Our stealth ninja...

Ready to go with the neighborhood crew.

All done, buckets are full...

Let the candy trades begin!