Christmas Eve

Deb took Jadon to see Polar Express 3D during the day. That evening we had a nice Surf 'n Turf dinner at home before heading out to a Candlelight service at our church. When we got home we exchanged presents with Deb and enjoyed eggnog and cookies.

Christmas Morning at Home

This was our first Christmas morning at home with just us and the kids and it was so fun! Jadon was especially excited to see if Santa had left presents under the tree. The kids enjoyed opening their gifts and stockings and we enjoyed eating monkey bread, playing, and relaxing all morning.

Jones Christmas

We gathered with the Jones family Christmas afternoon for a nice dinner and gift exchange. It was cute to see all the kids dressed up and running around and we enjoyed visiting with everyone.

Pins Christmas

We arrived at my parent's house in Gurnee at 7:30 Christmas night. The adults hung out and exchanged gifts that evening. On Saturday we gave gifts to the kids and they enjoyed playing with them all day. That night, my parents watched the kids and sent us siblings and spouses to a fancy restaurant in Libertyville, the Tavern. We enjoyed a gourmet dinner and shared a lot of laughs. On Sunday, Brian and Flint took the older kids to a movie while Steph and I went shopping with Leah. That evening my mom, sister, and I went to a movie. It was a fun weekend together.

Dubuque for Christmas

On the Monday after Christmas, my family, Steph's family, and my parents drove to Dubuque to celebrate with Grandma Pins and our aunts and uncles. Sue and Les are always so hospitable and the kids had fun playing at their house. We had to leave early to get on the road, but we were ready to get home anyway. It was a great to see all of our friends and family this Christmas season!

Santa Run

Yesterday I went for a fun run with some members of the running club. We jogged around town and passed out treats to children. We got lots of honks and it was very festive! I'm the "elf" in green. Am I really that short??

Augie Friends Christmas Gathering

Remember my college roommates that all had babies in '08? Well, we reunited this past Saturday and had a little Christmas party at my house. Everyone seems to be healthy, happy, and quite busy working and taking care of little ones. Kim is even expecting baby #2.

Joaquin entertained us as he jammed on the piano and Alec took a break from the trains to join him.

Aiden, Anna, and Jadon were more interested in technology. We were impressed with how well the kids played while us moms visited.

Christmas Party Playdate

This morning some of my fellow stay-at-home moms and their kids came over for a Christmas playdate. The boys really enjoyed playing with our remote-control Christmas train. For a special activity I read 2 Gingerbread books by Jan Brett, Gingerbread Baby and Gingerbread Friends. I highly recommend both. Then the kids decorated and ate gingerbread cookies that Anita had baked. We finished up with some Christmas Carols, thanks to Lori. It was a fun morning!

My "Ugly" Christmas Sweater

OK, there's a part of me that likes glitzy, cheesy Christmas sweaters. They're so festive! I gave my ugly Christmas sweater an encore performance at a little playdate Christmas party I hosted for my stay-at-home mom friends and their kids. I even posed with my trophy.

Do You Want to Sit on Santa's Lap?

We went to 2 Christmas parties today, Jadon's preschool party and Brian's work party. Jadon was so intimidated by all the parents in his classroom that he did not perform any of the songs or poems and he wouldn't sit on Santa's lap either, but he was very adorable in his shy way. We had more luck at Brian's work party and he did make it onto Santa's lap. WalMart provided a nice lunch and Brian even got to come home early.

Jadon with his 2 best buds, Brecken and Luke.

"I shy."

"I can do anything with my dad by my side and a bag of candy for a reward."

2nd Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

We had a Christmas Party with our friends, Sarah and Greg Gunderson, Jeff and Charity Rouse, and Julie Roper. We all met at the Gunderson's new home in Middleton, WI. Greg taught us how to make his Italian grandfather's pizza dough, we played games, and caught up on each other's lives. On Sunday morning we went to church and then had a nice lunch.

Do you see the gold Nutcracker trophy in front of Sarah? Oh yeah, I won that. My sweater bedazzled them all.

Jeff is not a lush, he just likes to pose for incriminating pictures. His sweater was good looking AND functional.

A beautiful pizza made with Grandpa Joe Alfonso Dough.

First Snow Day of the Season

Yesterday was our first snow day this year. The kids and I went out and shoveled, threw snowballs, and made a snowman. Jadon loved it, but Leah felt uneasy and limited. In addition to playing outside, it was fun to have a day to ourselves to catch up on some things.

Afterwards we came inside for hot cocoa and Christmas cookies.

Pins Birthday Party

Jordyn and I have birthdays one week apart, so on Sunday night my parents threw us a little party. We had a delicious meal, talked, and exchanged presents.

Chicago at Christmastime

This past weekend Brian and I went downtown while my parents watched the kids. On Saturday, we shopped, went to Christkindel Market, had dinner at the Italian Village, and went to Moody's Candlelight Carols. After the performance we went back to our hotel and hung out in the chocolate lounge. On Sunday we shopped some more and then headed down to Chinatown for Dim Sum. We took in the sights and sounds of the city at Christmastime and enjoyed some time together without the kids. Thanks Mom and Dad for making it possible!

Christkindel Market was crowded, but the hot spiced wine made it very enjoyable!

We stayed at the beautiful Palmer House.

Here are some of the tasty creations we enjoyed at the chocolate lounge.

Brian at the Chinatown Mall.

Aunt T's 100th Birthday

My grandpa's sister "T" turned 100 and there was a big party for her this past Saturday at Timmerman's Restaurant in Dubuque, IA. She's an amazing lady who still lives alone and it was a happy reason to reunite with my extended family.

In the center is my dad's mom, Helen Pins, and she is surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The only ones missing were my uncle Jack's family and my sister Stephanie's family.

My mom, brother, sister-in-law, and dad looked pretty sharp.

Aunt T blew out all her candles in 1 breath.