December in Chicago

So these are just some pictures from the rest of the time we were in Chicago. We went to one of my niece's band concerts. We went to the zoo. We had fondue. We played a little guitar hero and the Wii. We went to Enchanted Castle. We took family pictures. We played hard and had a lot of fun. I forgot to mention in my last post about our wonderful Christmas present. We got the best present we could have gotten.....Bella started crawling on Christmas Day at my parent's house. That means both Rob and Bella started crawling there in their family room. I think that is pretty neat. She loved all the attention she got from her cousins.

Rob clapping at the band concert

Yes we actually got my mom and dad to play and they liked it

Mom rocking out

Dad rocking out

Rob loved his cousin's gift from Santa

Rob LOVED playing with Isaac

Love this picture of Bella and Nini

The whole family that was there

The family minus Nini

Now take away the spouses

Now take away the children

Take away my parents and add Nini (Rob would NOT cooperate for this picture)

COUSINS!!!

Bella on the carousel at Enchanted Castle

One of Rob's new loves

Rob LOVED the chocolate fondue

At the Zoo

Rob looking at some animal

All the Robert boys (they all have Robert in their names)

In the monkey house

Boxes, Boxes, and A Christmas Tree

My parents waited until I came with the kids to decorate their Christmas tree. It was a fun night. The kids loved the lights on the tree and Rob liked "helping" put the ornaments on. Bella liked taking them off. Once we were all done, it was time to put the presents we had already wrapped under the tree. They were in big boxes and once we had emptied them, the kids had some fun with them. They loved playing in them. Who knew you could have so much fun with a few boxes.













Sorry about the red eye. I didn't have time to fix it.

Christmas Eve, Santa, and Christmas Day

Ok here with go with Christmas. In my family there is the tradition that we go over to my grandma's house (Nini) on Christmas Eve and have a big dinner and open presents with my aunt, uncle and cousins. It has become more crazy and crazy as the number of people have gone up. This year, for the first time, we had two separate adult tables and two kids tables. There were 28 people with 10 of them being kids. It was chaotic but so much fun. There was something very exciting and special that happened this year........my little brother proposed to his girlfriend! I already thought of Grace as my sister so I couldn't be more happy about this. Her mom was there too which was really nice. I feel really blessed to have such a wonderful family and so many great memories.

Family picture time

Only good one I could get of the kids in front of the tree.

Nini's tree. This picture doesn't do it justice.

The kids helped Peter. The boys each brought her a rose. This is Rob giving her one.

Then the girls each carried a piece of paper proposing. Peter carried Bella with the last one.

The happy couple

Rob drinking some pepasi (that is how he says Pepsi...it's so cute)

He wanted in those presents soooooo bad.

Bella with her new doll. She loved it.

Love her face here.

The next tradition we have is that we all spend the night at Nini's house and Santa comes there. I love the tradition my sister Sharon started. She tells her kids that Santa only brings one big gift because there are so many kids in the world he has to bring presents to. I love that idea and have done it with my own kids. Then we have a big breakfast, pack up, and head for my parent's house. Everyone except my parents stayed this year. The kids (except mine) all slept in the basement together and they all slept in. My kids were the first ones up and they don't get up early. It was a fun morning.

All the kids after Santa came.

Rob's big present from Santa

Bella's present from Santa

Eyeing each others presents

When we got back to my parent's house some kids needed naps so we waited a while to open their presents. Before we started we did a little program of sorts about the birth of Christ. It was really nice. I still don't know how we fit everyone in my parent's living room but it was nice and cozy. I love my family soooooo much and wish all 8 of us could be together on Christmas with our families. It was really nice to be there with my sisters and Peter. Thanks for all the great memories.

My parent's tree

Again, Rob wanted in those presents

The girls were trying to get Bella to clap

Rob's new Cars mat that he can drive his cars on

Rob's favorite shirt. He loves cars, trucks, trains, planes (anything with wheels)

Sorry there were so many pictures but I wanted to share them all with you.