Winter Fun

The last month was pretty low key.  Jack lost more teeth, Ella played basketball (she was voted an all-star this year!), and the kids started ski lessons.  Below are a few videos of the ski season. The kids did great.   We officially had Simon for a year.  Liz took him for his annual vet checkup and he did great.  We also watched the 49ers lose the Superbowl (SOB) but Jack was happy as he has made it a habit to root again the team that I like. 

First Ski Lessons!

Chillin with Simon. 

Ella made a bowling alley, equipped with a ball return. 

Ella made and outfit for Maeve

Saturday starbucks trip. 

Working on pottery.  These ended up being gifts for Simon. 

I thought the sequence was funny. 

We made out "our" chocolate.  Ella melted real chocolate and added some cocoa powder and Hershey syrup. 

Jack was 100% original.  Cocoa powder, sugar, marshmallows,  flour...

He was super excited to ski. 

They made the trek to work with me on a day off from school 

Jack at the top of the mountain.  Video below. 

World Famous Three Amigo Cookies. 

Watching Ella play basketball.  Jack found a new family to sit by. 

Daughter / Daddy Dance. 

Art by Ella and Maeve. 

This photo doesn't do it justice.  Maeve wanted tattoos like her mom so she colored herself with marker.  

Christmas and Ella's Birthday

We had a great Christmas in Chicago with the Collins side of the family, and then celebrated in Iowa with the Bushaw crew. This past weekend, Ella turned nine! She's sure growing up to be an amazing kid. All she wanted to do to celebrate was have her old friend, Harper, spend the night. Ella and Harper became friends early on, as they share the same birthday and were born in the same hospital. Her family moved to the suburbs a few years ago, so we don't see them often, but the girls are still close and had a great weekend together.

How is this baby nine years old?! 

What a sweet kid.

Alice loved sleeping in Ella and Maeve's room over Christmas.

Ella and Jerry.

What a happy guy!

Fun with Grandma at Winter Wonderfest on Christmas Eve.

Reading The Night Before Christmas.

I decided we needed matching Christmas jammies with the kids this year.

Waiting to come down on Christmas morning.

Unloading the stockings.

Attempts at a family Christmas photo - plus Alice:)

We finally held the family hors' d'oeuvres wars again!

Cousins at Christmas in Iowa.

Maeve with Great Grandma Venteicher.

Jack telling Grandpa Rich and Great Grandma all about skyscrapers (he received a pretty cool skyscraper book from Grandpa).

This guy pulled both of his front teeth over break!

Simon really wanted to come skiing.

Jack and Ella getting their first lesson.

Maeve was a natural! 

Birthday twins, Harper and Ella, with their cookie cake "pizza."

She's been begging me for a unitard for gymnastics, and this one seemed perfect. 

Ella and Harper at Skyzone.

The amazing weather over Christmas allowed for plenty of alley fun.

Lindsay and the kids at Winter Wonderfest - they sure love her!

Uncle Sam and Ella ice skating.

Riding the Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier.

Decorating Christmas cookies.

Jeritt prepared an amazing Christmas Eve meal for the two of us. When I left my seat for a moment, Simon tried to take it. 

Playing some Wii.

Maeve and her friend, Ada, on New Year's Eve.

Starbucks run with Dad.

She got herself on the conveyor belt by herself!

Sunday snuggles.