Santa in Chicago

On Saturday we decided to take some friends of ours into Chicago for the day. It was Christina's first time ever in the big city and her mother, Ana, was thrilled to get a chance to go. So the four of us took the train in for the day.

It happened to be time for the Festival of Lights so there was a lot happening during the day. First we checked out the big bean at Millennium Park where C had the most fun chasing pigeons all around the park. She saw one, pointed, then shouted: "Quack!" and proceeded to follow its meandering path around the picnic tables. She thinks all birds are ducks and will tell you so just in case you thought it was something else--like a pigeon.

Here's a few of the best shots we got around the bean:

Once I caught C and strapped her down in the stroller, we continued North on Michigan Ave to check out the festivities. We were happily surprised to find a children's band playing fun and energetic songs on the main stage. We stopped to dance for a while before sampling the freebies at the tents surrounding the square.

One of the tents housed Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause. So we gladly stood in the line to await our turn to meet them. Somewhere in the roped off area, pretty close to Santa himself, C had a breakdown. I wasn't sure if she would calm down enough to pose for her picture, but thankfully she did. You can see from her body language that she was a bit timid. Immediately after taking the photo, she fell asleep in the stroller and kept on sleeping until we reached the train to go home. What a sweetie.
The train ride home...C made so many friends. She laughed, and played patty cake and peak-a-boo with the ladies behind us. What a complete joy.

It was a fun day to be sure. Although we didn't really do that much, we still ended up walking several miles and felt exhausted the rest of the day. I saw Ana at church the next morning and laughed because we usually see them at first service, but sure enough...everyone barely made it to second. I still maintain that it was worth it and am ready to do it again soon.

New Dining Room

We ordered some dining room furniture a month and a half ago and it's finally here! C agrees that it's the best thing ever. Pay no attention to the chandelier, it will be replaced in just a few days thanks to S's mom and dad.

Yellow Slide

After a week of rain, M being on the road for work, and C feeling terrible, the weather cleared up and we headed to the back yard to play on the swing set. You can see how happy our little girl is now that she is feeling so much better.