All in the Family

I wanted to share some of the fun we had as a family on Christmas. I love my family!

Adam, Kasey and Ady. And Blake, doing what he does best:)

This next section is for my cute nieces and nephew. I'll pretty much let the pictures and videos do the talking. They are so very cute and so much fun.

Ady, the surfer chick!

Carissa, the drama queen!

Landon -the chunk- Haddock!

After a year of not seeing each other, Carissa and Ady had a lot of playing and hugging to make up on. I'm sure they will be great friends and it's so fun to watch them grow up.

Also part of the family, the puppies! They are so adorable (part lab, part hound). The girl's had so much fun with them.







The best part of Christmas is getting presents, especially ones you can eat!

And of course getting to be spoiled by Grandma!

Christmas Eve Fun

Here are some videos during Christmas Eve:

Notice Carissa dancing in the background- she's very talented and not afraid to show it off.

Just a room full some of the family waiting for the entertainment to begin.

Work and Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone! I know it has been a while (forever) since I last updated our blog and I apologize. I'll give you some of my excuses now and you can see the rest as you read up on the latest blogs:)
December has been a crazy month with work and travel and holidays. First, Ryan finished his finals for school the beginning of December, then he came to work for me at the University of Chicago as a temp working in the Humanities Division. And quite frankly, I was grateful for the help (He's competent and cute). I was grateful for any help! Work was hectic. The application deadline for all applicants was Dec. 15th, and we received 2197 applicants in the Humanities. I am in charge of organizing the effort of creating files, coordinating the temp employees, making sure the online application and our database are updated, opening mail and sorting mail, filing all applicant's materials into their files and filing the files in the right place, making sure things are done correctly and thoroughly and on time, all while continuing with my regular work duties. So as you can see, I have been quite busy and just a little stressed. Anyway, enough about work, let's get on to the fun:

Ryan and I traveled to Utah on Dec. 18th to spend some time with family and friends. Thanks to my brother and his wife for letting us stay with them. (Side note: I also borrowed one of Jennifer's library books, or should I say graphic novel: Rapunzel's Revenge. I thought it was quite cute and enjoyed it) Also, thanks to my parent's for always being so great to let us stay with them (and for letting me take over:).

As usual, we spent our Christmas Eve at my Grandma Clark's. It always such a fun time with LOTS of family. I love it!

My cousin, Chris, brought his team of Belgians to give a hay ride to the family. Christmas and Horses- you can't go wrong!

My Grandma's Kitchen, preparing for the Feast. Notice how the guys are just standing around?

Me and my cute, cute niece Ady. With Patrice, Kenzie, Ellissa, Sadie and Shelayne hanging out in the back (left to right).

My cousins (left to right) Chloe, Hayley, Cecily, Hannah, Ellissa. They performed a cute song and dance routine at the party.

Here are my neices Carrissa and Ady again. From the looks of it, they will grow up to be the best of friends.

Christmas, Christmas Time is Here!

Ryan and I finally got a Christmas Tree! I am so excited. Of course it's nothing fancy but it works, especially since we have such a small apartment:)

I also got Ryan an early Christmas present.

It's the Laser Game by Khet. We've already played several times. Six to be exact, and I won 5 of those times!

Booyah!

Ryan loves it anyway. We're bringing it with us so Ryan can get lots of practice playing against all of you. He needs it!

I am the Champion!

My victory!

Zoo Lights!

Ryan and I were invited by the Madsen's to go see the Zoo Lights. We are so glad we went because we had such a great time and we got the coolest 3-D glasses. Okay, so I don't know if they're considered '3-D' glasses, but that's what they remind me of. They were so much fun because when you put them on, the lights were turned into snowmen. Just look at the pictures to see what I mean:)

The Zoo lights were held at the Lincoln Park Zoo, in Lincoln Park just north of Chicago.

Here are the lights without the 'special glasses'

Here are the lights with the glasses on! Check out the snowmen. It was really so much fun!

More lights:)

Barbie and Me in front of a snowglobe.

Josh, Barbie and Me sporting our cool glasses!

We didn't see too many live animals since it was cold and dark, but we did see plenty of 'light animals'


We hope you all get a chance to see some beautiful Holiday lights this year.

Merry Christmas!

Tis the Season...

To go shopping!

Ryan and I have been doing some shopping over the weekends and all the stores are ready for Christmas with their decorations, Christmas gifts and steep prices. Not only can the stores get into the Holiday spirit, but all of Chicagoland can too. It snowed yesterday here in Chicago! Now it really does feel like Christmas.

Here I am in Macy's

Here is one of my favorite displays- Candy Land!

Ryan really liked it too!

The Nutcracker!


This on Ryan's wish list! Just keep writing Santa

Thanksgiving in Review

Okay all, here is some photographic evidence that Melanie is by far the greatest cook/chef in the world! For Thanksgiving dinner she made turkey, stuffing, potatoes, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce (from scratch), green bean casserole, rolls, bread, and jello with fruit and marshmallows. She even made key lime and pumpkin pies for dessert! Talk about the best meal ever! I actually helped and did dishes so Mel could cook. I also sliced mushrooms for the casserole, put marshmallows on the jello, rolled dough into balls for the rolls, and made the potatoes and stuffing (from boxes :) I also helped by going off on my own so Mel could work unhindered.
It was a great time. We really enjoyed not having work and school and getting to spend the day together. In conclusion, Mel is the Best!