Too Cute

This is my niece...she's gorgeous and will probably be a famous actress someday!

xoxo

Sunny Days

I just realized today that we've been back in Arizona for almost two weeks and I've never even mentioned the fact that we moved...  Things have been really hectic this last month and even though the decision wasn't out of the blue, it was definitely a difficult decision to make.  We loved so many things about Chicago and met some really great people.  It will always be a special place in our hearts!  On the flipside...we have desperately missed our family and friends in Phoenix these last two years and are excited to be back.  We also come back to Phoenix changed.  We were forced out of our comfort zone and learned a great deal about ourselves individually, as a couple and as a family.  We now see Phoenix through different eyes and will appreciate it more than ever.  Every city has it's faults and although we miss Chicago we certainly don't mind all the sun we're getting!

I thought I'd share some pictures of the kids enjoying the sunny days...

Max swinging at grandma's

Suki enjoying the swing

our little bunny - she loves carrots!

waiting for the train

monkey girl!

The midwest really shows in the next few pictures...instead of "snow angels" they make "sand angels"!

Holiday Fun

The holidays came and went way too quickly this year.  As the kids get older it just gets more fun and more special.  I would love for it to last just a little bit longer.  We are trying to create new traditions while embracing the ones we had as children and we try to take advantage of all the amazing things this city has to offer this time of year.  I wanted to share some pictures of our holiday fun...brace yourselves though because there are ALOT of photos.


Christmas tree at Marshall Fields on State Street



Suki, right before going to see Santa

Christmas tree at the Chicago Botanic Gardens



Max laughing at the Chicago Botanic Gardens' train exhibit



This is pretty typical when I try to get them together for a picture

Their favorite part of making cookies

Suki and I went to a gingerbread making class at a local bakery

Santa was good to us this year!

The kids both got Kickboard USA scooters and Paul Frank helmets

Max's train set from grandma (i love the look on Suki's face in the background)

Camping

This past weekend Four Wilsons and a Dog went camping.  This was the first time we've been camping by ourselves, it was the first time Max had been camping and it was the first time we have ever camped at a campground!  It was quite a different experience than camping at Stoneman Lake or Williams, AZ but we all had a great time and are looking forward to going again (when it's a little warmer).  We went to this amazing state park in Indiana called Potato Creek.  They have a lake with boat rentals, a beach, nature center, bike rentals and tons of trails.  Our trip was too short to take advantage of most of these amenities but there's always next time... 

We were only 15 miles away from South Bend, Indiana so we had to take a drive to see Notre Dame University.  Max was asleep in the car so we didn't get out but it is a beautiful campus.

GRallery

Today we went to a neighborhood festival called "The GRallery".  It kicked off with a kiddie bike parade and had tons of fun stuff to do.  The kids mostly loved the music....Max especially.  Fun (but cold) day!