Final Christmas

Grandma B got Lincoln logs. Jules and I had our doubts and were proven wrong.

The Zindane t-shirt from the Bean was a riot. Not sure she knows that Zidane was thrown out of his final match for headbutting an opponent who said nasty things about his mother or sister.

The snow fort has a headroom problem but it is conceptually very sound.

More Xmas

Two rounds of presents - morning at home, afternoon at Grandma Bonnie's. Santa was on his game this year - Harry Potter Legos and a big dollhouse both were hugely popular.

Christmas dinner at Bonnie's was lovely as usual. Hard to go wrong with parmesan crusted beef tenderloin.

Back yard sledding was also worked in somehow.

Jules and Nata schussing on cross country skis

A few minutes before Dad knocked them both to the ground and gave Nata a rough whitewashing. She bounced back like a champ. "Let's go again!"

Sledding Round 2 and treats

A few inches of fresh lake effect snow and a clown car full of family again today. Jules and I got in a little loop on the cross country skis too. We spilled three different drinks at Letizia's after the adventure.

Last sledding and first gifts

After sledding, the kids each opened one present. They were pleased.

Then sledding

Nice conditions at Humboldt Park. Light snow and temps in the upper twenties. The quad set the distance record. Natalie took her first runs alone and LOVED it (two thumbs up!). Elliot was even nice enough to haul her back up the hill at the end of the day. Grandma Bonnie got some sweet runs in too.

Christmas Eve

Bean and Bonnie joined us for fun today. We started with cookie making. Decorating went well with sprinkles all over the floor and mouths filled with red dye number two.

Round two was marshmellow holly wreaths made with corn flakes. This is a classic midwestern dish handed down from Great Grandma Maxine. Let's just say they taste a lot better than they sound.

Santa at the grocery store

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Last minute blind folded Xmas shopping with the kids.
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Glitter!!

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Princess play date

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Excitement at the museum of science and industry

Zoe is a blur of enthusiasm
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Crazy Saturday

First, we (the fam + Bonnie, Larry and Sue) hit the Winter Pagent at Redmoon. The kids sat on their own down in front. After the show, E. B. led the charge to invade the stage and mess with the props.

After that show, we headed to Elliot's first piano recital. It was held at the Gorilla Tango Theater which was pretty cool.

After a terrific, nuanced (at least according to his grandmothers) performance, the whole crew (along with Zoe, Amy and Tim) headed over to Margie's Candies for sundaes. They were epic.

After that came an early Christmas gift exchange and pizzafest since Larry and Sue are headed to Montana on Tuesday.

What a day!

New additions

We got a new electric piano. It turns out D. D. Kitty is interested in learning too.

Also, the Hahns sent over a sweet incense burner from Germany. The Smoking Man was a big holiday hit right out of the box.

Natalie as a Norwegian princess

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First game of pinball at Rainbo holiday party

Ms. Wang reading in Chinese

Christmas approaches

Got the tree, trimmed it, and put up the outside lights today.

Today's snow looks pretty sweet.

Dad's birthday

Jules and Mom brought the late 1970s/early 1980s to our house on Wednesday night. Beef fondue with dipping sauces made from Heinz 57 sauce, ketchup and other things adults seldom eat any more. It was a ton of fun.

Elliot loved it while Nata opted for a warm hot dog.

The Leaper

This will have to end soon. The boy feels like he's made of stone lately.

The Holiday Season continues to ramp up.

Cruised downtown to enjoy sunny, slightly less cold weather. Hit the Christkindlmarket. Then headed over to Millennium Park and the Modern wing of the Art Institute.

We ended the adventure with a stop at La Pasadita for tacos.

Highlights: our thermos of hot chocolate, horsies, getting to look out of the front window of the El train headed downtown.

Thanksgiving #2 - Chez Schuerr

Nata helped Grandma Sue make cranberry relish. Then, the cousins and their kids came over. It was a fun crazy zoo.

Elliot had his first pistachio, Cool Whip, Jello salad. It was HUGE hit. Nata, as always, crushed the ham.

The basement was home to lots of art projects, soccer games, foosball matches, etc. Fiddler on the Roof was sung and Elliot made his musical debut playing a couple of songs in the traditional family performance-fest that is Thanksgiving dinner.