Our Christmas Break Recap Part 2

Blake got real tools for Christmas and was excited to put them to work and "build" stuff. 

For the New Years weekend we packed up and headed to the "Moose Hotel" aka Wisconsin Dells, Wilderness Resort. It was perfect timing because the kids were getting restless. Last year when we went Blake wanted to do painting but we didnt get it in, so first up on our list was heading to their little paint your own pottery place. Blake painted a shark, with red teeth..... oh lordy. 

Brooke painted a moose. 

Our room wasn't ready so we hit up the game area. Blake just hopped right on the motorcycle and seemed to know exactly what to do. 

Then we all watched Blake and Louis go on the go carts

For dinner we hit up the local pizza place (MooseJaw-- notice a theme?). They give everyone hats to wear. Blake literally slept the entire dinner-- all the playing and swimming wore him out!

Hanging out at the wave pool before the waves started

Our Brookie bean can be a diva. When she decided she was done swimming, she insisted on wearing just her swim diaper (she is almost fully potty trained but we didnt want to be the parents responsible for the pool closing if there was an accident!!) and lounging and watching a show....

We had our own NYE party in our condo. I brought some decorations and props and the kids got into the spirit, they loved having a "party". 

Oh hey Uncle Sean

Grandma having fun

Blake mastering the photo bomb

Always the highlight of staying hotels, luggage carts!!!

Our condo had an all seasons room with a fireplace, TV, chairs and this huge jacuzzi. The kids LOVED it, they could swim and play and be crazy. 

It was a great trip, Blake LOVED going on the water slides and we must have climbed those stairs 100 times. The condo was great and perfect for our family. Special thanks to my parents for setting it all up!!! 

Our Christmas Break Recap: Part 1

We spent Christmas Eve with my parents. My parents cooked an amazing meal and the kids were all spoiled. Louis and I actually took a picture together, woohoo. 

Uncle Sean got Blake a bow and arrow...he was VERY excited

That look...... 

Christmas morning we woke up at our house to see what Santa left us. The kids were loving their new rocking horses!!

Blake had asked for a "Big Bumblebee just like Mason's"...Santa was smart to know just what to bring

My kids are ALL about the cozy and Brooke loved her new Minnie pillow

Santa also brought Brooke new jammies and she clearly wasted no time breaking them in

After we cleaned up we headed over to the Cary Malic house to keep the celebration rolling. By this point the kids were totally over getting their pictures taken while opening gifts. Heck, getting this family picture was a process and bribery in itself. 

The kids and us had the whole week off of school/work and the weather got a bit warmer (all the snow melted) so the kids took a walk!

Part of our Christmas gift with the Malic crew was heading to the Chicago Botanic Gardens to see their Winter Wonderland exhibit. We all bundled up (it got COLD again) and headed over. It was so pretty and I can't even imagine how much effort went into making it!!. 

Wrigley Field (Go Cubs Go)

The kids were TOTALLY NOT into taking pictures, and they were a bit crabby so this was the best we got!!

Straight No Chaser Concert

Over the summer my family and I went to see Straight No Chaser and I enjoyed it so much that I ordered tickets for their concert in December. The kids stayed with Louis' parents and we headed on the train for the concert and dinner with my family. For some reason I lost the pics from the concert but here are a few pics from dinner. It was a great concert and the dinner was fantastic (we ate at Prime and Provision). This annual tradition of a Christmas celebration in the city with my family is quickly becoming one of my favorites. 

And just because she is so cute, here is a pic of Brookie!

B&B's Holiday Show

This year was Blake's last year in the holiday show and Brooke's first! Blake's class had to make their own ugly Christmas sweater (we had a party for him and Brady and Adelyn to make theirs) and Brooke wanted in on the fun. This is the best pic I got of the two of them! Brooke was really hesitant and nervous before the show. 

Jake, Brady and Blake before the show...all smiles

These two.... I mean come on!

The kids went in age order so Brooke was up first. At first she was a little unsure but then she totally rocked it. She was dancing along to her songs. Our little Frosty!

Blake was near the end of the performance. At first I thought he was totally going to be into it....

And then he pretty much just stood there.... He definitely isn't a theatrical child! 

Can't believe this was Blake's last year. It will be so crazy that next year he will be sitting with us watching Brooke in the show. 

Snow Fun

Last weekend we got our first real snow of the season. Blake was VERY excited to get outside and play. We were worried that Brooke wasn't going to enjoy it because she HATED the cold/snow last year. Well safe to say, she loves the snow too. 

Blake insisted on a HUGE snowman, and Daddy delivered

I got the kids a new sled for this year that was a little more spacious and they LOVED being pulled around

We made an "igloo"/fort and the kids thought it was the coolest thing ever. 

Safe to say, the kids are very excited for the snow.