Home for Christmas

Not able to fly to Washington and/or Florida this year, we stayed in Wilmette for our very first Christmas in our new home. It was a quiet, yet festive weekend with just the 3.85 of us + Mora.

Our stockings...

The tree...

Our attempt at a family shot in front of the tree on Christmas Eve...

Matilda opening one gift the night before Christmas...

Heading up to bed...

Matilda's Christmas morning smile...

opening gifts...

packing around the baby brother's gifts...

joining her 'baby' in her cradle

reading a new book with the daddy...

Tea time!

Afternoon sledding session

Mora thoroughly enjoying her gift

Matilda and Blaze, her new horse.

You can watch Matilda and Blaze in action here:

Sledding

Hello Wilmette!

We love, love, LOVE our new home and now that we are getting settled, we will start posting more pics and videos of Matilda before February hits and we suddenly don't have time again. :)

Goodbye Logan Square

While we will miss strolling the Boulevards, playing in Palmer Square, dining at Lula and picking our produce at the Sunday market, we are very excited about our move to Wilmette.

Here are a few pictures that were taken before the big move.

Matilda sure loves her Mora

Playing in the backyard before the snowfall

Ready For Winter

Fall Visit to Washington

A couple of weeks ago, Matilda and I made a trip out west. We had a great time and I know the family loved having her around!

Matilda and Grandma taking a stroll through the park...

Matilda bundles up as Grandma rocks her shades!

In Leavenworth, Matilda and Grandma stopped and smelled the flowers. After a delicious Bavarian lunch, we decided to check out some of the shops. We went into one and heard 'Waltzing Matilda' playing overhead. We of course had to continue browsing in this shop until the end of the song.

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One day, we drove up to Camano Island to visit with Grandpa Raymond and MaryLou. Here is a cute picture of the three of them after lunch

Picking up leaves

Out by the woodshed

Matilda loved hanging out with her cousins Jayden, Ryan and Alexis. Here is a picture of Matilda with uncle Michael and cousin Alexis.

We had a great time and are looking forward to going back soon!

Halloween

Friday night was the neighborhood Halloween parade. When we arrived at the square, there were hundreds of kids, babies, dogs and parents dressed ready to spook. It took Matilda a little time to take it all in. And then we caught her yawning...several times. Thinking that she would not make it past the first turn in the parade route, we carried her for the first few blocks. Then she insisted on walking. Her walk turned into a steady march and we even started passing people. By the end of the parade, Matilda was totally in her element and ready to party! She enjoyed two gingerbread cookies and knocked back a cup of warm apple cider. A great time for sure!!!