Winter fun

AN ALMOST WINTER DAY

We went to the Almost Winter day for pony rides, hot chocolate and petting zoo in South Elgin.

It was great pony rides were only $2. what a deal, the girls were super excited. Finches met us up as well. They ran out of hot chocolate though. Santa appeared and sang Christmas carols too. Was a fun night even had Bon Fires to keep warm.



Next year we'll get there a bit earlier for some hot chocolate and the free s'mores!

THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving we spent at the Finches house. We loved our turkey and all the fixings. The girls had a great time playing with their friends while mommy and Denise got to sit after dinner and flip through all the "Black Friday" Ads. I think that was the best part!

OUR CHRISTMAS TREE
(GIGGLES)

CHICAGO WEEKEND

The following weekend we went to Chicago for our weekend get away. We took a half day from work, picked the girls up from preschool and off we went to the city! The girls were very excited. They fell asleep 5 minutes before we got to the hotel, and yes we actually got there in record time in like 45 minutes! We stayed at the Marriott, using our gift card finally from our 10 year anniversary. Friday we went to a late lunch at Bubba Gump (Nora especially loved the name of the place, as it sounded like bubble gum).



Then to the Childrens museum at Navy Pier. After that we went to look at the Macy's windows, spend a little bit of time at the Christkindlmarkt in Daley Plaza. There was hardly a line to see Santa so we did that, and then bough the girls the heart shaped German Cookies.

GERMAN COOKIES

After that we went to the "Bean" at Millennium park to hear the carolers at 6pm.

From there we met Uncle Mike and Aunt Hannah at Pizzeria Due for dinner.

PIZZERIA DUE

WINTERWONDERFEST

Saturday we went to Winterwonderfest at Navy Pier. Was a lot of fun riding rides and enjoying all the decorations. Next we went back to the hotel to swim in the pool and hot tub and relax. We met The Dorns at Rosebud for dinner and then back to their house for a bit to relax and catch up. Sunday was our last day and we went to The American Girl Store to have a look around, then to the John Hancock tower to see the city from way up high. After that we went to visit Uncle Mike and Aunt Hannah as they are only a 10 minute ride from the city -- on a Sunday!

What a great weekend, we did it all! And had a great time. We got our first snow while we were in the city and it was so magical with all the twinkling lights!