Navy Pier Winter Wonderfest

We went to one of our favorite Christmas events again this year, Winter Wonderfest. We went during the week with a few of our friends and some of their little brothers. It is magical and a complete Christmas wonderland filled with trees and lights and games and music.

the carousel

Eloise rode the ferris wheel...it was fast!

thankfully we have a few years to practice before driving really starts

policewomen
choo choo
decorating sugar cookies

friends

Santa Express - CTA Christmas Train

We rode the Santa Express on the brown line from Armitage to the Loop on Saturday. Although it was packed, we could still enjoy the festive decor; including lights, garland, bows, holiday music and even Santa upholstered seats. Santa himself rode on his sleigh with his reindeer in the open car in the middle of the train (he must've been freezing his beard off in the wind, cold weather and rain) and he announced all of the stops himself. So exciting!

Waiting on the platform. Santa Express was late, but finally here it comes!

Inside the train

An elf handing out candy canes

Santa and his reindeer

Christmas party at the Field Museum

Eloise, Drake and the Field mouse

Santa gave up his seat for our girl

sharing secrets with Santa

*hugs*

George met Santa for the first time

watching the Sugar Plum Fairy and Nutcracker pas de deux,

and offering the girl next to her a hankie from her gingerbread handbag

bf's and leopard sisters

We started a new holiday tradition. We loved the Christmas party at the Field Museum, hosted by their woman's board. Santa making his entrance down the grand staircase, fantastic holiday crafts, Nutcracker ballet dancers, cookies and ice cream, the Jesse White tumblers, a gift bag of a 3 year old's dreams...all underfoot of Sue the dinosaur and the impressively gigantic elephants. Oh what fun it is!

Gingerbread House

Decorate

Eat

Decorate

Last weekend

Sweet home Chicago

writing a letter to Santa Claus at Macy's

her wants and Mommy's wants (her idea, not mine...I promise)

mailing her letter to the North Pole

Macy's tree

walking back home with Boppa

Elle's snowman

Sasha's snowman

Eloise helped Sasha build (and smash down and rebuild)

Urban Burger Bar

Burgers with Boppa (and Hamma too)

Butch McGuire's...a Christmas season must

Thanksgiving in Michigan

Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday. 4 days from work. Special time with family. Reflecting on our many blessings. Eating. Drinking. Nights out with high school friends. Kicking off the Christmas season. Oh so thankful.

Nonna sure knows how to dress a table, dress a bird, and host a party.

Grandpa Walker and George

Cousin Kara and her girls

The Hamm brothers

Looks good, doesn't it?

Boppa and his grandchildren reading about Bimbos

Maize taking a forbidden nap in the living room

The whole Hamm famn damily

Beep beep

A glimpse of what we will see 15 years and 7 months from now