Visit to Springfield

Last weekend we took a short, yet excellent trip to Springfield to visit one of our dear friends from middle school and her husband. Actually, I think Laura and Geoff have known each other since elementary school, but Laura and I became just the best of friends while both participating in the Science Olympiad team in 8th grade. Dorks, I know, but how many people can say they are still friends with someone from middle school?

Saturday was a day of rest and relaxation. After lunch, the girls took great naps, while all the adults watched college basketball. Then Chad, Laura's husband took us to his restaurant, Smokey Bones, for a delicious dinner. We had never been, and it was interesting to see the General Manager at work! After our delightful dinner, we headed over to Schells, a HUGE sporting goods store. This place was so big it had a ferris wheel in the middle, bowling alleys, shooting ranges, driving range, and a mountain of stuffed animals in the middle. Lauren LOVED her ride on the ferris wheel with Geoff and Annie screamed for joy and waved each time she saw them go around!

Chad had to work early Sunday morning, but we really appreciated him taking Saturday off to spend some time with us. So, Laura and the Hanson family headed over to the Lincoln Museum before heading back to Chicago. What a fantastic museum! You always know a good museum when everyone, ages 1-32 enjoyed themselves for over two hours. The exhibits were so well done and informative. They even had an area called, Mrs. Lincoln's attic with dress up clothes and toys from the Lincoln era for girls to play with.


Photo shoot with the Lincoln family on their way to the White House.



Lauren checking out Tad, Lincoln's youngest son.



Serving Laura lunch. Lauren would even act as if she was cracking the eggs on the wooden shelf, before serving them.



Annie LOVED playing with this doll house, especially Fido, Lincoln's dog.



Doesn't she look like ET here? After Lauren put on a dress-up outift, Annie wanted to do the same so I put on the smallest jacket I could find. Watching her try to walk around with this on was just so cute.

Thanks again to Laura and Chad for such a fantastic weekend! Not only was it great to check out Springfield, but so much fun to spend time together.

We Have a Walker!!!

Annie took her first few steps on Sunday, Jan. 15th and hasn't slowed down since! She loves her new talent and is just so proud of herself. The only problem is she tries to keep up with Lauren and just can't quite move that fast yet. So, she takes a few steps, falls down, says "dawwwn", laughs, and then gets back up again. Way to go, Banana!

Florida Fun

Right after we arrived all Lauren wanted to do was go to the beach. So even though it was a bit chilly and getting dark, Grandma and Grandpa took Lauren for a walk on the beach. They had so much fun collecting shells and running from the waves.



Grandma Hanson had a great cooking project all lined up for Lauren. She explained to Lauren how to make a "Florida Snowman". Here, I'm helping Lauren with the frosting.



Lauren's finished products - "Florida Snowman" Get it, they are melting... Not only did Lauren enjoy this project, but all the adults enjoyed the dessert too. Funny thing was, the girls didn't like the marshmallows.



Lauren and Grandma took many morning walks along the beach. One morning I looked out the patio to see Lauren and Grandma writing in the sand.



Grandma and Grandpa had a wonderful idea to take a sunset family photo of us. So on our last evening in Florida, we walked down the beach and had a little photo shoot before the best lobster dinner of my life. Notice the full moon in the background?



What a great shot of Grandpa, Daddy and the girls!

Happy New Year 2012

We spent New Year's Eve at my job-share partner, Diana's house and what a wonderful time we had! The girls loved going to a party in their PJs and Geoff and I were happy to spend the evening with friends and the girls.


It took a little bit, but once Lauren figured out how to blow the noise makers, she was a pro.


Annie loved dressing up in bunny ears.



Both girls enjoyed jumping on Logan and Cora's trampoline. What a great way to tire the kiddos out before bed.


Diana took care of story time before bed for all four kiddos. Can you tell their moms are reading teachers? Listening to the stories was the calmest part of the entire evening.

After the little ones were asleep, the adults rocked out to Rock Band and enjoyed the count down to 2012.

Here's to another exciting year! Wonder what might be in store for us this year?

Merry Christmas 2011

All dressed up for church and of course Annie is making her token face! We had wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas celebrations with Grandma and Grandpa Hanson. The girls were fabulous in church, all of the meals were absolutely delicious, and we had so much fun opening and playing with all our new presents.



Annie loved wearing her fancy dress.



"I just always wanted these pajamas," exclaimed Lauren. She was so excited that she put these PJs on right over her Christmas dress.



Lauren and Daddy trying to figure out Lauren's new camera. Of course, the child who was raised with numerous photos taken of her each day wants a camera for Christmas when she is only three.



Lauren and Annie LOVE this little house Mommy and Daddy got for Annie. We are so glad the Craigslist gift is such a hit!



Opening presents and eating Goldfish in this box was great fun for both girls.



Our evening concluded with a lovely concert by Geoff. Mom and Dad Hanson had Geoff's trombone refurbished for him as a Christmas present. We were all amazed at how well he could still play.

Decorating Christmas Cookies

One week before Christmas, us ladies enjoyed a wonderful evening of decorating Christmas cookies together (notice Wilma even made this picture). Geoff was around too and he made us a fabulous panini dinner. We missed Jon, but he was busy working in California.



Aunt Stephanie and Annie. Annie did a great job of quality control.


Mommy and Lauren. I love the drip of frosting on her chin.


Quality control...


My favorite cookie decorated by Lauren. This was her first one and I am pretty sure the entire bottle of sprinkles made its way onto this cookie.


Our finished cookies.


This pic has nothing to do with decorating cookies, but I love both of the smiles! I randomly took this photo a few weeks ago on a Monday morning when both girls were just having so much fun playing together on the kitchen floor. I love PJ photos!

The Polar Express

On Christmas Eve, we took our yearly Polar Express train ride. This year was extra special because the girls were able to wear their PJs on the train. Just like Lauren's first year on the train, Annie LOVED watching out the windows. Lauren was very interested in the conductor and even wanted me to ask him if he was planning to serve hot chocolate.



Mommy reading The Polar Express.



Annie was so proud of herself when she was able to sit on the train seat all by herself.



Sisterly love! The girls loved giving hugs and looking out the window together.

What a wonderful trip we had. This was our third year participating in this tradition and we plan to continue for many years to come.