As always, our Illinois Christmas trip was exhausting but so so SO much fun!! We are grateful for so much special family time during our week.
Saturday, December 21:
We left midday on Saturday the 21st. We entertained ourselves in the airport with card tricks and hangman. Our flight was on time but was the bumpiest, most turbulent flight any of us (including Roger) has ever been on. Our first stop, after safely landing, was Portillos!
Sunday, December 22:
We spent Sunday with Uncle Randy, Aunt Nicole, Emmett and Grandma. Some highlights included church together, the creative maze box Uncle Randy & Aunt Nicole used for the boys' Christmas money, making pretzel jello salad with Grandma, the best video games ever and obsessing over sweet Emmett. My kids were in his face non stop. One of Cruz and Cora's best memories is doing an obstacle course on an exercise ball with Uncle Randy.
Monday, December 23:
Grandpa and Deona joined us all for a fun day! Grandma made a delicious ham, some of the group worked pretty much non stop on a puzzle that Rog got from Randy & Nicole, we opened lots of fun gifts and celebrated Jesus and Aunt Nicole's birthdays. There were also more Emmett snuggles for all!
Tuesday, December 24:
Today was our special family day downtown. We spent the day at the Museum of Science and Industry. It was a ton of fun and beautifully decorated for Christmas. The model trains, original Tesla and baby chicks were some favorites. We ended the day with our traditional Christmas Eve dinner at Morton's Steakhouse and a night time stay at the Blackstone.
Wednesday, December 25:
We woke up on Wednesday and got ready to head to my Aunt Marianne's house. Before we headed there, we took advantage of the super quiet Chicago streets and made a quick stop at Wrigley Field. We enjoyed Aunt Mar's amazing lasagna, time with Great Grandpa at his nursing home and games of Rummikub, coloring and musical chairs with our girl cousins!
Thursday, December 26:
We had a blast celebrating with Grampy, Grammy and the O'Connor fam! Highlights included time playing on the plasma cars, ping pong, playing, opening gifts, lots of magic card tricks and my very favorite Nick's pizza for dinner!!
Friday, December 27:
Our final Christmas celebration included my parents, the O'Connors, GeeGee (my dad's mom), my dad's siblings and their spouses. We SO SO missed our cousins and their families who couldn't make it. It definitely wasn't the same this year. We had a great lunch at Lou Malnati's, the girls received little purses from GeeGee's collection, there were gifts, desserts and a ping pong tournament in which Rowan beat Roger for the first time.
The only pics I currently have are these two of my sweet family.
Saturday, December 28:
We wrapped up and headed to the airport. In typical Chicago fashion, our flight was delayed and we didn't get home until after 11:00pm. We wouldn't change a thing though. Our week was so fun and so packed full of family. We are so grateful for all of you and how you generously showered us with love, food and gifts all week long.
