Winter Wonderfest

I believe my exact words once we all got in the car were - "We are gonna have a fun filled family day!"  Nate just looked at me and put a big smile on his face.  We looked back at Grey and he was grinning from ear to ear and Sailor - well she was asleep... 

It's true, my heart kind of skips a beat when I get my family of 4 all to myself for the day.  I just love it.  I felt like Clark Griswold the whole way there;)

(Navy Pier)

 

We walked into a winter wonderland that's for sure and all you could see were a gazillion Christmas lights...

The trees and holiday decor were amazing...the lights and scenery really got us into the Christmas spirit even more so than we already were

 

Grey didn't know where to look, but Nate and Sailor grabbed a 'brochure' and decided to check out the activities...

We started with the train.  Grey and I took a little ride on it while Sailor and Nate watched us.

There were christmas trees EVERYWHERE!

and Sailor was as content as could be...bless her little heart

I'm telling you it was like picture mania for me...I was on a high just with my camera;)

We saw quite a few Santas but decided to make a pit stop at Germany

A little fun for Grey and daddy on the jumpy house slide...Nate said he couldn't even keep up with Grey...it was funny...

Gosh I love these two little people
the excitement on their faces make it ALL worth while...

Grey could not wait to get on the big Ferris Wheel which surprised me...

There they go...(for the record Nate does not like ferris wheels but he played it 'cool' in front of Grey)  Sailor and I opted for a fresh strawberry smoothie at this point but every time they came around our way we gave a BIG wave!

and then there was this...

This would be Mo and Shmo getting their skates on...

Let me tell you it was HILARIOUS for Nate and I...

This was a first for Greyson.  Let's just say there was NO letting go on Nate's part.

Grey took a little break and we watched daddy go around a few times.

Took in a jeep ride...and ramped a few bumps in the road

and our last stop was with the carousel of course...Nate was such a trooper and went on everything with Grey...

Sailor wanted to say hi!

I think Grey and Sailor really enjoyed the day...but by the time the carousel ride was over we were ready to grab some cotton candy and make our way through the maze of beautiful Christmas trees...

Tis' the season...

Merry & Bright

Today marks the first day of December and it's been merry and bright here.

Last night we went and got our Christmas tree.  Sailor was in there, you just can't see her.  It was not your ham it up traditional go to a tree farm and chop it down christmas outing.  It was more of a menards trip all rolled into one.

However that did not stop me from taking pics inside the store to capture the 'merry and bright' of it all.  And it didn't stop Nate from purchasing a trusty saw because a real tree always needs a little saw trimming, right Nate?

 

And Grey thought he was leaving with 2 shovels but that certainly was not the case.  We had a minor melt down before checking out which soon ended and the winner was the orange shovel.  It has already been put to good use.  He has been continuously dumping out his bag of legos and then he shovels them up and back into the bag.

We have been rocking the xmas PJs every night...

Grey was super excited to decorate the tree.

He was my special helper and handed me everything we needed to make our tree just right...

and look who joined the party at our house...For the first time we have the elf on the shelf with us...Also known as "Woody"...Grey named him this morning.  He went in the back room with his cup of orange juice, sat down to catch a little Curious George and there on the wall was Woody.

and since today is December 1st we also opened up our Christmas calendar from grammy Ann...he ate his first piece of chocolate out of it....the countdown begins

He wanted to open every door...but that certainly wasn't happening...

I LOVE me some Christmas lights - don't you?! 

We went with colored lights this year and I love how it turned out.  I'm one for switching it up every now and then.

I'm also in love with a little gold sparkle...

and we must NOT forget that special green pickle on the tree

Grey also added the candy cane to #1 today on our little Christmas tree countdown...so much excitement in his little face...I mean he had a lot going on - maybe he was under a lil' holiday 'pressure' - Woody was here to report to Santa, opening up his first chocolate on his calendar, putting the candy cane on his lil' tree, and decorating the big tree...

And Sailor has been BRIGHT eyed with all the christmas lights...and check out her lil' mohawk...I'm diggin' it and so is she...

She had the perfect view - right under the tree

And this would be our collection of Nutcrackers that I love so much...

I also had Nate set up his Nativity which is the icing on the cake for me....definitely makes it at the top of the list...it is just beautiful..

This just might be my favorite thing in our house!

Grey hung all 4 stockings up all by himself

Greyson has his own Nativity just like this but when he gets a bigger room he can set it up there...

and so things are off to a Bright & Merry start here...

 

I hope you are 'decking your halls' and getting ready for Santa as well!