Winter Break

Audrey bundled up at the outdoor mall in Oakbrook. She is sporting her new coat from Grandpa Ted!!! Thank you!!!

It is nice to be on Winter Break. I am enjoying some extra time with the kiddo and hanging around the home front doing odds and ends and taking naps and snacks in between. The winter has officially arrived, layering us with about three inches of powdery snow for all the neighborhood kids to play in. This is the time of year when I don't mind paying my association fee as it covers all snow removal. :-)

Bath time for Audrey! Splish Splash!

Audrey and I just got back from her 15-month check-up. Unfortunately, she had five different shots that ranged from mumps and measles to H1N1 and the flu. Yuk. She was a brave girl, though, and she is now taking a nap with a little help from Children's Tylenol. On the bright side, she is in "perfect health" as the doctor told us, and is above average on her development (which we all knew, I'm sure).

Playing with her new doll from Nana! Thank You!!!

As for the rest of the day, naps and some play in the snow maybe later this afternoon. I've got a few pictures to frames and get in the mail, and later tomorrow a lunch with some friends. I love the holidays, not because of all the gifts and holiday activity, but because of the extra time I am allowed through my job to spend with my family. I really couldn't ask for anything more.

She's the best gift I could ever hope for.

-a

Happy Hanukah

Audrey Reading with Doll in Chair

Happy Hanukah everyone!

Audrey helping with gifts and boxes during the holidays

It is officially winter here in the Land of Lincoln. Winter, rather than blanketing us with a fresh sheet of snow, has slapped us with a bitter hand and pelts us with rain, sleet, and ice.

Audrey is fascinated with the change in temperature and snowfall. She spots the flocks of Canada Geese flying South for the winter and points them out in the sky.

Tonight is night #2 of Hanukah. Last night was a simple lighting of candles and a gift from Zadie: The Book of King Kong! Audrey was interested in the illustrations, but was not ready to sit down for the reading of the entire volume that evening!

I am looking forward to the Winter Break at the end of next week. Classes at University are finished for the semester, so that is wonderful. It will be nice to just focus on home and school fora little while, and pretty soon not even school!



I hope everyone is finding a warm place to hunker down this holiday season and enjoy time to reflect and give thanks for the many blesings we all have, whether we realize them or not. Here are some recent picts!

-a

A Gift from Zadie!!! What could it be!!!???

Audrey looking at a picture of Zadie

Audrey and Daddy read King Kong for Hanukah.

Some updated pictures

A lazy Sunday is being had by all. Last night we traveled out to Villa Park to see "Beauty and the Beast" performed by several of my previous students. It was a special night to see my former students all grown-up into big sixth graders! Audrey also very much enjoyed seeing "big kids" and took some interest in the performance, although she enjoyed all the attention of audience members around her smiling and waving. I think she might be destined for the lime light!

Here are some pictures from the past couple weeks, as I haven't really posted much. Hopefully Audrey looks familiar, as she seems, to me, to be growing and changing minute-by-minute!

Snoozing in the Car

Laughing in the Kitchen with Grandma

Who ya' Gonna' Call?...


Sleepy time with Phoebe


Helping Decorate the Tree



"Dado" and Audrey

Been A Bit...

Hello Folks,

It's been too long since my last blog. Things are moving swiftly this winter season. I had a beautiful trip to Richmond, Virginia. There I had a chance to spend quality time with my Aunt Irene and Uncle Fred, along with my two cousins, Sam and Emma. Good food, lots of laughs, and much love. This was my 11th year making the trek to Richmond. It is one of the very few traditions I have in my life, and intend to keep it alive as long as possible.

Unfortunately, Kim and Audrey did not attend this year. Kim had to work on Friday, so we didn't want to force the issue of traveling Audrey with one parent during the flu season. I am sure Grandma didn't have a problem spending some fun time with Audrey.

Speaking of...

Audrey is moving all over the place, running, crawling, scooting. I can only imagine the stamina required of us as she becomes even faster! As the snow flurries begin, she is finding great fascination with the holiday lights and trees that are lighting up everywhere!

More later. Time for dinner.

-a