Christmas Day

 Beautiful Christmas morn.  And it snowed!

 Nurse Barbie!

 Aunt Susie looking at her GoGo calendar.

 Jasper's gift.

 Her first special blue box!

 Uncle Dennis showing her around the Dream House!

 Princess Merida letting Jasper out.

 Christmas Belle

 Margaux and her new friend, Holly.

 She played with the Barbie house ALL DAY!

 

A very exhausted Princess Tiana at the end of the day!

 

 

Another nice Christmas for the books!  Aunt Susie, Uncle Dennis and Cousin Drew were here and we opened gifts once Margaux woke up this morning.  So many beautiful, thoughtful gifts were exchanged.  We enjoyed a big, home cooked breakfast and a viewing of Elf before Drew's lovely girlfriend, Natasha, came over to spend the afternoon.  This was the first time we met her, but we just adored her...a really nice, bubbly, pretty girl!  We played the Star Trek themed Catan game and then enjoyed a big ol' fondue feast + desserts!  Food detox starts back tomorrow!  I wish the holiday could stretch a bit longer, but it's back to the grind tomorrow!  So thankful for the love, family and friendship in my life.

Oh Night Divine

 Making cookies for Santa.

 Cousin Drew & Uncle Dennis assemble the Barbie Dream House.

All set for tomorrow morning!

Farewell, Bingo!

 

 

See you next year!

We Wish You

Only one more week until the MOST important birthday of them all!

From our home to yours, WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Up North Christmas

 She was so excited to play in snow, even if it was sparse!

 Snow angel!

 My Pinterest-inspired cupcakes.

 Holiday Girl

The youngest of the Byard generation, minus Baby Alexa.

 The kids + big kid, Sam, enjoying a little pool party at the hotel!

Sleepover!  Alivia & Margaux, great pals when not bickering!  ;)

 

 

We headed up to northern Michigan for a long weekend to celebrate Byard Christmas.  I was hoping there would be more snow up there, for I was not dreaming of a wet, brown Christmas, but we still enjoyed ourselves!  Margaux got some good play time in with her Grandma Byard, and we had a nice little pool & pizza party at the hotel on Friday night.  We like the Odawa Casino Resort Hotel, especially since as a tribal member, it is a great deal for me!  Saturday night we enjoyed a meal and gift exchange with the family.  It was wonderful to see everyone!  We really hope to make it up there again before winter is over.  

 

 





Dear Santa

 As dictated by Margaux herself.

The Santa Mailbox in Oak Park.

"There's lots and lots of letters in there, Mom!"

***Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Aunt Susie today...12/12/12!!!***  ;)

Friends & Fun

 Sophie & GoGo, Michigan Ave. Marriott

Another fun weekend!  Some of our dearest friends, the Wrights', were in Chicago on Saturday, and it was so, so good to hang out with them again!  It had been way too long, and it was nice to be able to pick up where we left off AND pledge to do a better job at staying in touch.  (Me!)  Margaux has long named all of her dolls, stuffed animals, story characters, etc., either Sophie or Alivia, so she was in HEAVEN playing with Miss Sophie! 
I was at work today, but Patrick and Margaux went to a cookie exchange party at our neighbor's house.  Margaux had a blast with the kids, and it sounds like it was a great neighborhood gathering!  The  hosts, Eric and Emily, plus their two little girls, have been a nice addition to our block...just really nice and friendly people who are energetic and like to have fun. 

Budding Ballerina

 GoGo & Mia

 Miss Gina has the patience of a saint, I tell you!

So today and next week are observation days at Margaux's dance school.  Normally, parents are not allowed in the room during class, since it seems to distract the kids more than they already are at this age.  It was a lot of fun to watch Margaux today and see what she has learned since August.  I know I don't have the patience to be a teacher, let alone a DANCE teacher...props to Miss Gina and her assistant, Mia!  ;)

Navy Pier's Winter WonderFest

 Margaux and I rode the ferris wheel.  It's kind of our thing. 

 The ginormous rocking horse!  MVP made friends with this little girl, Jordyn!

 Her favorite ride of the day!

 Cookie decorating!

 We skated around the rink once before Margaux's skates starting hurting her feet.  She did really well with her balance this year!

 Jordyn & Margaux

These cultural "Santa" displays were great!  There were eight different ones from around the world.

 

 

Groupon offered a deal last month for premium wristbands to Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier, so today we went and it was a lot of fun!  It was a very pretty, magical place for children to run about and enjoy the season.  It features all kinds of carnival rides, inflatables, iceskating, cookie decorating and a magic show.  I am really glad that we checked it out and we will certainly go again next year!  (I am very glad that we went on a weekday, and before winter breaks start for school kids!)