Snowy in Cicero

We had a playdate at Ayden's today. Everyone stopped to say hello to Ava


Ayden and Ava snuggled up on Cyndi's lap

Abe took a break with Hannah

Ayden demonstrated his peek-a-boo and blink on command skills

Thanks for having us Ayden. We had a great time playing with all of your toys, decorating and undecorationg your tree and eating all of your chips!

Oh, yeah, thanks for letting me kiss your mom, too!


Miss Maddie loved it under the table. It was her own little fort.

Cutest kids at Saint Anne's

In honor of Saint Nicholas, Father Kevin gave all of the kids candy canes. Liam and his friend Ava rushed up to get theirs and then kindly posed in front of the manger for us.


We had lunch with Ava and her mommy and Liam stuffed his face- literally!

Ava showed off her straw skills

Watch out, I am going to plow this thing over!

Liam wasn't fooled by the gate we put up around the tree. He got on his trusty John Deere and prepared for demolition

Saturday night was Chuck's office Christmas party so Liam's grandmother came to spend some time with him while we were out.

Home from our tree farm adventure

When we got home, Liam ran around in his snow pants for awhile and stood at the window watching the birds.

Finally, free of his snow clothes, Liam ran a few laps around the house, a new favorite past time

Page's Farm

The Page family that runs the tree farm that we have been going to for 6 years, rescues and rehabilitates wild animals.

Here is a Cooper's hawk

and, a Peregrine Falcon! She is young and doesn't have her adult plummage but we got to see her eat her dinner, a dead mouse you can see in her talon.

Liam found a chain saw

And we warmed up in the barn with some hot cider, a horse and some chickens.

Bundled up and can't move a muscle

On Saturday morning, we ventured out to the tree farm in the 16 degree weather.
Liam was not very happy about wearing his new snowpants.

He cheered up a bit in the car ride

And got his first sleigh ride on one Page's sleds

Liam helped us find the perfect Christmas tree.

Getting ready for the holidays

Liam decided to check on our stock of mixers for the holidays.

"you need tonic, mom, and some juice for me!"