November 2016

November 1 brought us an unseasonably warm day, so what better way to take advantage than an after school ice cream treat and some time at the park?!

November 1 is also one of our fave's birthdays!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GRAN! 

The kids picked out Cubs cupcakes, because, duh...

I've been trying to get back to going to the gym, and these two can't ever resist climbing the wall when we leave and asking for a picture...

Learning all kinds of things at school this year... here is the worksheet Rudy brought home

Mom and Dad took a chili trip that ended quick for chili, but not for the time they had booked on the beach!  They sent this picture to me one day and I was lol'ing - couldn't resist including it on the blog :)

Green Day for Avery's class

And a picture with the tapestry the classed helped to complete..

I needed to test out my fancy camera for Rudy's upcoming basketball season... I have been getting braver and braver with it and wanted to take it off "auto" and attempt the "sports" settings. 

I needed some action to practice with, so I asked the kids to dance around for me...

Ben was grumpy at first

But he couldn't stay that way for long!

And to the basketball game we go...

I still need some work on MY shooting skills!

John was tasked with hanging Christmas lights!  Finally!  A house and year that it worked out!!

The kids were excited to help, of course. 

I held my breath while John let them on the roof with him... Avery ran right up, no prob, no fear.  Rudy was cracking us up!  He got stuck here for a loooong time.  Up and down, talking himself up, then talking himself down - "I can do this!  I can't do this!" 

He finally made it up and still proudly talks about the day his dad helped him be brave and climb on the roof

Christmas in November!

We had our big Cicci Family trip to Chicago the weekend after Thanksgiving.  Ray and LeeAnn both turned 70 during the year, and their kids wanted to plan a trip the whole family could enjoy... Grandma LeeAnn is a lover of Christmastime in Chicago - and there is plenty to do for all!

Greeting Aunt Maria

Posing in the hotel lobby

We braved our first Broadway show with the whole clan - we didn't make it through the whole show and by the end everyone around has had moved seats - but it was a great production!

The girls before our first Broadway show, Peter Pan.

The next morning at "A Charlie Brown Christmas" play - much more our speed!

We spent some time shopping downtown - the girls split off, as we had lunch reservations at American Girl Café.

And it was quite the treat! 

We also had a family visit with Santa

Another hotel lobby photo op

Our last morning, stopping to visit The Bean and attempt ice skating for the first time.  I don't know why I don't have pictures, but it was HYSTERICAL!  Rudy trying to ice skate was unreal.  Avery was a champ.  Ben just slid around :)

Whaaaat am I going to do with this one?! 

"Mom, look!"