It's Sunday Already???

Here is my new recipe that I will make for Christmas morning. Ice Cream Caramel Cinnamon Rolls and yes there is ice cream in these delicious melt-in-mouth rolls. Click here for recipe. They are so EASY!

Michael and I each had a buy one get one meal at Noodles and Company so we took the kids there. The kids and I had never been there and now I know that we will be back. YUMMY!

After lunch we headed to Dylan's first preseason game. He was one of the captains and he scored 4 points. They won 24-14.

Our #52 dribbling down the court

Shooting free throws

Michael and I went on a date last night to Knuckleheads again. Guess who was there! Yes, Chubby Carrier. Who can say that they have been on stage not once but twice with a Grammy nominated band?? I CAN! Chubby grabbed my hand and two other women and we danced on stage. Don't worry my clothes stayed on!! (I forgot that Dylan was on stage with them in May but he has only seen them once) We really hope they win the Grammy! We had lots of fun and did not get home until after 1am. That is late for us. Today I have been trying to catch up on laundry. Does a family of four ever get caught up on laundry? I have only 4 days of work this week because Friday is my annual shopping day with my friends Ann and Sheila and my family is coming Friday so we can celebrate Christmas this weekend. YEA!

2010 Christmas Light Show

Michael has worked very hard for 9 months on our Christmas light show. When you drive by you have to tune your radio to 107.9 and watch the lights dance to music. (There is even a little comedy in the show.) We decided to have some friends and family over for the first showing and make a little party out of it. We had lots of yummy snacks and some hot spiced wine.

This is what is looks like during the daylight hours. The mega tree is behind the arches.

The fire pit was great even though it was not horribly cold.

Everyone waiting for the countdown. 5,4,3,2,1

It worked!!!!

The lights go so fast that I could not get one with the mega tree, arches and the little trees lit up at the same time. Michael already had new ideas for next year. Good job honey! I am so proud of all your hard work even though I am already sick and tired of listening to those darn songs.

Chicago Part 2

Here are the two pictures I forgot to post. They were taken while we were standing on the ledge.

Chicago

We are back from a wonderful trip to Chicago! We took the Amtrak to Chicago with Uncle Robert and Aunt Janice for Thanksgiving!

Tahoe packed and ready to go! We left the house around 5:45am to drive to Union Station to catch the train.

Relaxing on the train

We made it to Chicago after 7 1/2 hours on the train.

We checked into the hotel and then off to eat pizza at Lou Malnati's. It was very good!

They even had a chocolate chip cookie pizza! They bake it half way then they top it with vanilla ice cream and whip cream. DELICIOUS

Wednesday morning we did a little shopping at Navy Pier.

We also bought some Garrett Popcorn. (one of Oprah's favorite things) We only had the caramel corn but the cheese popcorn smelled so good.

There was a juggler at Navy Pier and he wanted Dylan to come up on stage to help.

Dylan was trying really hard to blow up a balloon but I think it was a trick one.

Then they had a sword fight.

Wednesday night we walked down to Christkindlmarket (a German holiday market). I drank hot spiced wine out of an adorable ceramic boot and ate potato pancakes.

We were able to watch the lighting of the tree.

It was so cold and rainy and Dylan's socks were soaked and his little feet were frozen. Here he is soaking his feet in the bathtub.

Thanksgiving morning was nice and relaxing. We walked to Starbucks and enjoyed coffee while watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV and looking through all of the ads to find some good sales. Then we decided to walk back to Chriskindlmarket and try some more German food.

A football game was going on across the street from the market on a big screen and we caught Dylan watching the game.

Cass and Dylan got to meet the Christkind. She was quite beautiful.

Then we walked to Millenium Park. We love looking at the Cloud Gate (we just call it the bean). It is fun to find yourself in it and look at the reflections.

Thanksgiving evening we went to Willis Tower (use to be called Sears Tower). Here is a view from the top.

They have something new called The Ledge. It is 4 glass balconies that are 4.3ft from the building and 1,353ft up. (103rd floor) I actually found something that Michael was not sure about. He took baby steps out onto the ledge. I have to admit, it was a little scary.

I have a great picture of all 6 of us on the ledge but I forgot to put it in the blog. I will update later with it.

4am on Black Friday!!! This is what time we left the hotel to go shopping at Macy's (the old Marshall Fields) What else would you do on Black Friday in Chicago??

Macy's

Later that afternoon we walked out of our hotel and saw this car. VERY CLEVER!!

Last meal before heading home! Dylan with a loaded Chicago dog!

Michael and his favorite sandwich in the world. It is an Italian Sandwich Combo from Portillo's. It is Italian beef and Italian sausage. HE LOVES IT!!!!!

Thanks Robert and Janice for spending Thanksgiving with us. We appreciate the time spent we you and we had so much fun.