Kalahari

On New Years day we woke up in Chicago and drove to the Dells. Pete;s Grandma B had rented out a HUGE condo for all the relatives to stay for two nights. This place was amazing. It had everything you could think of. Theater, rooms for everyone, fireplaces ..you name it..plus we could play at the waterpark all day long. It was freezinnng outside , but it felt like a warm get away. It was EXTREMELY generous for grandma to take us all and all 30+ surely enjoyed it! Lots of games, kids, adults, meals, waterslides, and family time.

The weekend was a little melancholy for us too. ON Saturday night we missed the 10th annual Jazz Concert in memory of Jake. It was very hard to miss, especially after missing Jake so much after the holidays. When we got home on Sunday night, Nora cheered her mommy up by playing with her toy saxophone while wearing uncle Jake's Bears tshirt. =)

New Years Eve

We rang in 2010 with the Hawkins. It was a blast as always and we got to see lots of aunts and uncles and friends that night too. The kids had just as much fun as the adults did..

bffs reunite

we had a visit from noras bff lauren and her family (who moved to GA earlier this year) it was too much fun to see the girls together and even more fun to hang out with jason and meagan.. we miss you!!

christmas take five

our final celebration took place sunday night after a days rest in IL. We drove back to WI to have Christmas with the Bansemar side. It was a full house and tons of fun, as usual. It was a great end to a whirlwind trip. It was fun for NOra to be walking so she could run around like crazy with all the many many little ones! (sadly we left the camera in the car so no pics from this night!)

christmas take four

almost done..we left Grandma and Grandpa Schneiders in Mukwanago , Wi around dinner time on Christmas day and headed to G&G Nahnsens in Springfield IL> we spent the most time here (a day and a half). We played outside, sat by the fire, had bloodys, got to relax a little more. It was great to spend time together, which sounds corning and repetitive, but it really is and thats why we drive like crazy to see everyone. OUr family means so much to us and we are thankful to have all the family we have.

christmas take three

So we are on christmas take three..which starts christmas day morning. we wake up in Melrose park after a fun night but restless sleep (imagine almost 20 people under the same roof)We headed back to WI to celebrate Christmas with the Schneider side. Here we had more good food, and got to see baby Addison on first Christmas as well as uncles, aunts, and g and g S. It was snowy beautifully as we hung out and looked over the lake.

christmas take two

After lunch in Milwaukee we headed to Melrose Park, IL just in time for happy hour with the ZImmer family. We had much to celebrate, sarah and steph just graduated from college and Britney and Thomas just got engaged! woo hoo. We had a great time hanging out and being together. We went to evening church as usual and then got home to have some dinner and open presents. I think we could all say it was the year of the snuggie and golf balls...

christmas take one

HEre are some shots from the beginning of our Christmas celebrations. we started in Milwaukee with Amanda's family visiting the day before Christmas, and then we spent the night with Pete's family in Milwaukee and opened presents and had lunch with them. It was very fun to be able to see both of our immediate families. Nora was spoiled, and so were we. We cherished our time with the brothers and sisters that we had with us and it was so fun to see our neice molly at her first Christmas.

Start of the Busy season

December started out busy for us. We had a visit from Jess< andy, and baby Molly, followed by Steph's graduation (and party) from Concordia Chicago. Lots of school parties and programs, shopping, decorating, and get togethers kept us moving right into the Christmas season.

Spoiled Rotten

As you can probably imagine, nora was very spoiled on her first (and GOLDEN) birthday. She was cruising around on her own two feet by then and loved opening all the presents and seeing all her friends at her party. She also celebrated with family at Grandma and grandpa Schneiders where she got some new clothes, toys, ride on toy, and a new chair for her room.




She finally gets to turn around in her car seat!


A special bday visit from Kyle and Shana.. Thank for the waterbottle and the trip to mcdonalds!

More of MN (November)

We went to visit our friends Rob and Lea. It was so great to catch up and Nora became best friends with the cat. They played together all night. It was so cute, Nora kept holding the cat and laughing hysterically at her. Nora and Smokey= BFF





Here are a few more pictures from our late November visit to Minnesota. Highlights included.. cheering on the Bears (and Packers) on Grandpa's new T.V, eating too much for thanksgiving, Partying with the Krauses and Meiers (Crap bags!),dance parties with nora, Family Pictures, sewing, etc. It is always hard to leave, but we were looking forward to spending a lot of time together in December

Clippies

I started making some accessories and hair pieces for nora, and her friends. It is fun and even more fun to see them on the cute kiddos! Let me know if you want anything!!