Christmas Highlights

I am back in Australia after a wonderful trip home to visit friends and family in the States. Here are some highlights.
A quick stop over at Daytona

Visiting the "Living Nativity" at Ponte Vedra Presbyterian

Watching Jack dance up a storm

Having a Thai bubble tea on Argyle.......gosh I miss those!

Visiting the massive "American Gothic" on Michigan Ave with Chris

Seeing Wicked...Thanks Phyllis, Colin and Jack!!!

Remembering how pretty the snow is at Christmas time

Remembering what a pain the snow is and wondering how I lived in it for 10 years

Making the most of the snow

Visiting the Wicker Park Fire Station with Jack, who is a teeny, tiny bit obsessed with anything to do with firemen

Visiting the tree at the Christkindlmarket in downtown Chicago



Going to St Augustine to see the lights

Playing trucks with Sam and Wright

Matt sharing his boomerang expertise with Colt and Adam

Helping out Sam on Uncle Mike's construction sight


My Mom and Dad's birthday dinner

Even though I got a cold for Christmas it was still a great time. I hope everyone has a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Christmas Fun

Matt and I spent yesterday finishing up making and buying Christmas presents. I have been a little Scrooge-esque about getting a tree. Matt spotted a tiny tree and pointed out it was only $4.50 so we got it. We decorated out little tree and it was perfect for the amount of ornaments we have. Matt was very happy and I must say our little tree is very cute.

We went up to Canterbury for carols in the park. I was making fun of a spelling mistake in the program. "Noel" was spelled "Nowell". Turns out it is an English way to spell it. Never seen that before. Nobody really sang along with the carollers where we were sitting but Matt and I did a bit. There was a choir from Tonga that was quite good. I am going to be taking a "blogging" vacation but will be back in 2009. So to everyone MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

The Bells Will Be Ringing

With Christmas time comes the bell ringers from the Salvation Army. I think the Salvation Army does great things but I am not always the biggest fan of the bell. I am however a BIG fan of the brass band!! They have been outside of our local grocery store on the weekends playing Christmas carols. Lovely!