Christmas Family Fun and Traditions

So the tree is gone and all the decorations are put back into storage, and I've finally gone through our many, many pictures.  Christmas this year was so much fun and full of great memories.  We also continued on with the many traditions of past Christmases and even established some new ones.  These include: matching pajamas for the kids, the Silent Night calendar book for the girls, the nativity re-enactment (Lucy said that Mom should be King Herod!), and many others.  We all had a truly blessed time and even managed to feel somewhat relaxed as well.  Happy new year!

December Fun

Thanksgiving and December always seem to fly.  This year Kim and I made a concerted effort to keep things as slow as possible and enjoy our time with the girls.  This included fun with family and our new nephew Leo, cooking projects, taking Lucy to see the Nutcracker, and doing the Santa Trolley excursion run by the Oak Park park district.  With all the possible activities there are plenty to choose from, and we made some great memories. 

Halloween Clown Family

Here's our Halloween pictures.  I really don't need to say much, other than Lila's hair was the inspiration for the whole thing.  We had a ton of fun trick-or-treating with friends and family, and Lila and Lucy even enjoyed some candy as well. 

I think in this one Lila is doing her usual "I eat it?"  I heard this over 100 times that day at every house and she would hold it up to me and say: "I eat it?"  "No Lila, put it in your bucket for later."

Pumpkin Farms Galore!

So as Pumpkin Season comes to an end, here are some pictures of our wild October.  I am convinced that there is an inheritable fall gene which both Kim and Lucy have - they both love fall activities, decorations, and pumpkin farms.  We'll see about Lila but she was a good sport. 

Here we are at Goebbert's where Lucy met a giraffe up close.  Maybe too personal...

Me and my girls.  I need to get more orange clothing.  Kim does such a great job with their festive fall fashions. 

Bird with her new cousin Leo.  She has lately become obsessed with babies.  No wonder why.

Doing a pumpkin painting craft out front.  Lucy does a great job smiling for the cameras now. 

Pumpkin Soup

This is one of Lucy's favorite fall season books.  Apparently the repetition paid off.  Here's a video of her reading it all by herself.  Happy Halloween!

Lila Turns 2!

Last month Lila celebrated her second birthday.  It's hard to believe that it's been two years since she was born (see here for first Lila blog entry: http://lucyvg.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html).  Lila wanted a "piggy cake" for her birthday and Lucy loved helping to make it.  Lila is talking up a storm mostly to get what she wants.  These include "I do it", "a cow", "sippy, please", "guys, guys, guys!", and "a snack."  We love her so much and had a great time focusing on her for her big day.

Summer Fun

Wow, another jam-packed summer full of fun activities.  As it comes to a close, Kim and I recalled all the places we went a people we saw.  They included: blueberry picking, trips to beaches and cottages, camping in Michigan, visits from friends, and sits by the local pool.  Lila is growing up to be a vivacious young girl, and Lucy continues to grow into becoming a loving and serving sister and daughter.  Kim and I are so blessed to have such wonderful girls and to be by so many good friends and family.