The Windy City

 Jamie and I just returned from a relaxing, wonderful weekend to celebrate our 9th anniversary.  I still have a hard time believing that our wedding was 9 years ago.  I remember it so clearly.  Such a happy day.  I knew that day that my life with Jamie was going to be good, but I really couldn't have imagined what a blessing God was giving me that day.  I am genuinely so thankful for my husband.  

Now, I know we only have two kids, but whew...our life has just been crazy lately.  Like the kind of crazy where Jamie and I say hi and bye and head off to the next thing on our calendar.  I love weekends away because I actually make time to look at my husband's face(and such a cute face it is!)  I'm amused when I think about how much of the time we are talking but not really looking at each other.  We talk while we ride in the car, or get the kids ready for bed, or while he's on the i-pad and I'm on the computer.  Sitting side by side with little eye contact.  So this weekend was all about looking at each other's face and re-connecting in the midst of the busyness.  Sounds ridiculous I know...but I just like his face : )

Our wonderful parents kept our kiddos and we are so thankful.  To say that Cooper is a handful right now is an understatement.  He is just plain busy every minute of the day.  So thank you Mawny & Papa and Nana & Papa for chasing Coop and playing with Lainey.  We love you.

 Macy's on State Street

 Chicago style pizza at Giordano's on Michigan Avenue.  So good.  So so good.

Headed to Shedd Aquarium where we saw this jelly fish display.  Such a great way to see God's creativity.  There is no other explanation for all the different species and colors and types of fish that were on display.  I love that we have a creative God who created beautiful things for us to enjoy.

 The city skyline...with snow on the ground!  It snowed one morning while we were there and was just beautiful.  You can't beat a December anniversary for a snow lover like me : )

 For our special anniversary dinner we went to the John Hancock building and ate dinner on the 95th floor.  We had a table right by the window and just kept staring at the view. Such a great view of the city.  Every year at this dinner we talk about the highs and lows of the year.  We reflect on what is going well in our marriage and set goals for the year to come.  

Happy Anniversary to my love.  You were my favorite 9 years ago and you are my favorite now.  

Let the Christmas Festivities Begin

The day after we got home from our Thanksgiving trip, we visited our favorite Christmas tree farm to pick out the perfect tree.  Santa just happened to stop by while we were there.  Both of our kids just love him.  I wondered if Cooper might be scared, but I have yet to see anything that he is even the slightest bit afraid of.  Seriously, the boy has no fear.  Which scares me!  I am envisioning when he's 16 and driving...yikes!  Anyway, back to Christmas...we found a tree we love and had a great afternoon making the house look festive.

 This is it!

This is the year of Christmas pageants for us.  Lainey was an angel in an old fashioned Christmas pageant at church this week.  They performed it for the senior citizen's dinner and it was adorable.  

 All the sweet angels waiting backstage

 They worked so hard to learn their lines and songs

Cooper is playing the part of the toddler Jesus in our church wide pageant .  It's coming up this weekend so we've had dress rehearsal every night this week.  There is a song where the wise men come to visit Jesus and bring him gifts.  Every time they approach Coop with the gifts, he opens his mouth wide and looks so surprised.  It is the cutest thing I have ever seen.  I'll try to get a picture of it tonight to post.  It is such fun for Jamie and I to watch both of our kids act out this story that we love so much.  To see Lainey understand what Christmas is all about is such a blessing.  So thankful for these opportunities.

Giving Thanks

We were blessed to get to be with our families this year for Thanksgiving.  We enjoyed  a great lunch at Grandma Donna's and spent some time with Jamie's family.  As you can see from the pictures, new baby Abram was the star of the show.

 A little after lunch football and soccer with Uncle Burt and Anne

 Lainey's first experience with hedge apples

 Jamie's Aunt Denice is the proud new grandma

 Poor Hailey just wanted a little nap

 Loving on baby Abram

 The proud new parents, Erica and Lance

 The next day, it was on to my family Thanksgiving.  Cooper LOVED Malloree.  They just seemed to get each other.  It was so funny, like they spoke the same language.

 Maddie and Lainey had a great time together, but boy do they miss our Georgia cousins, Jules and Ava.

 Aunt Sherry cuddled up with Coop and Malloree

 At our family get togethers you can always find coloring and a game of scrabble

 All the family enjoying the wonderful meal my mom made...notice Seth stuffing his mouth : )

 Our first Thanksgiving with baby Elijah...such a cutie.

 He was loving his ride perched on his Papa's shoulders

A group picture of the kiddos...we're saving a spot for Jaxson, Jules and Ava.  Missed you guys!

Enjoying the Season