Searcher mans

Mia and Annie have made up a game called "Searcher Mans". It was so cute that I just couldn't bring myself to correcting Mia's grammar (mans=men). They put on their plastic tubs and go around the house looking for things I need help finding. It is the cutest game ever and I love that they created it themselves.


Last week we had a little Christmas get together at our friend Clara's house. The girls loved seeing baby Miguel and visiting with my friend Mary too. It was tons of fun!!





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Candy land express!

Corey and I took the girls to the Hesston Railroad Museum in Indiana a few weekends ago. We rode on the Candy Land Express, enjoyed some hot cocoa and had fun watching the old steam engines blow their steam. The girls both love trains so it was a real treat for them.








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Detroit trip

Thursday after Mia's dance recital we drove out to Detroit to visit the Caporales. We went to Papa's first and had a great dinner out and a sleepover. Friday Aunt Sue, Aunt Gayle, Papa, Corey and the girls and I went to the Henry Ford Museum. They had a great, hands-on Wizard of Oz exhibit. The kids loved seeing the trains, old cars, toys and all the fun hands on activities. We even heard a story in one of the old train cars. Mia was all about The Wizard of Oz and after learning about the characters really wanted to watch the movie. After the museum we went to Great Grandma and Grandpa's house for a nice visit and to wish Great Grandpa a happy 91st birthday! Later we went out for another nice dinner in Plymouth and despite two late nights, the girls did great! After dinner, we came back to Papa's and put the girls to bed. The Aunts left and Corey and I ended up going back out for a bit while Papa stayed back with the girls. Saturday after breakfast we headed home. It was a great weekend and the girls loved being with their family.



The car Kennedy was shot in.


Papa with Annie while she rides the Wicked Witch's bike.


Us by the big tree!


Dad and Annie by the scarecrow area.


Mia, Annie and Papa enjoying the giant model train layout.


Mia with her Great Grandparents.

Mia holding her portrait that Great Grandpa drew of her.


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Ballet recital

Today Mia had a little recital today as a wrap up for her semester. Corey was off from work so we all went. Mia did awesome. They did a little dance then demonstrated different games they play to learn different ballet movements and positions.

Here is Mia jumping over the "pond with an alligator in it".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5sVJi5UePs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Mia doing her routine

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Annie - 19 months

Little Annie is growing up so fast. She picks up so much from big sissy it's amazing!! She is just such a pleasure to be with. I seriously tell her everyday how lucky I am to get to spend the entire day with her.

She is saying lots of words. She said "meeeeee ahhh" for the first time yesterday. We went to pick Mia up from school and Annie pointed to the building saying Mia's name. So cute! She is saying mama, dada, cheese, teeth, bosck (bosco), bye, more, please, yea. There is more I'm forgetting. Loves doing woof woof for dogs and ho ho ho for Santa. When something funny happens or falls she does "awwww!" that is super cute!


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Santa and Walnut Room

Last Tuesday Grandma, Mia, Annie and I went to visit Santa at Macy's on State Street. Mia was so brave, went right up and sat on Santa's lap. Annie opted to wait next to me but afterwards went up next to Mia to see Santa. Mia told Santa she wants "barbies and books that I don't have". Afterwards we had lunch in the famous Walnut Room. The girls each were visited by the princess fairies too and made wishes and were sprinkled with Fairy Dust! Since it was nice out we walked over to Daley Plaza to see the Christkindle Market and the nativity scene and Christmas tree. It was a fun afternoon and a fun tradition. We went so early in the season because last year it was insanely crowded. We took the girls before school let out! It makes me sad that Marshall Field's is now Macy's but the Walnut Room hasn't changed and it's a great tradition that the girls will enjoy each Christmas.

fun weekend

We had a really Christmasy weekend. Friday night was our town's tree lighting. We went and took the trolley rides around town. At the Dance Studio in town they had ballerinas dancing in the window and Mia loved it! The weather was perfect and we enjoyed seeing all the Christmas lights in town.

Saturday we got up early and took a hike in Izzac Walton - Dad walked with the girls and I took a nice trail run. Then the girls and I went to Mia's friend's Sophie's birthday party. Then we went to another tree lighting and our traditional Christmas kickoff dinner at the Flossmoor Brewery.

Sunday we officially became members of our church. It was nice to be welcomed by everyone and the girls did great when we had to get in front of the congregation! It was nice.

Mia has been so into the Nativity story (and playing with her Nativity playset) that on Sunday night we walked to a local church that does a live Nativity scene each year - they had real camels, sheep, a horse to carry Mary and told the story of Christmas. We waited in line for awhile but afterwards they had treats and crafts. It was so much fun and a lot of families we know in town where there. The girls had three late nights in a row but it was worth it.

Mia and her friend Jonah at Iron Oaks this week, we had a playdate there


Dad and the girls walking the trails at Izaac Walton





Mia watching the ballerinas

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