Happy New Year!!!

Matt and I spent the holidays with my family in Rochester and Quincy, IL. I actually forgot to bring my camera home, so the only pics I have are from my phone (ie - not that great!). I really can't believe I did that!

I think we've found a new Christmas Eve tradition... my Dad, Ross and Matt fried a chicken and a turkey! So delicious! Considering how accident prone my Dad is, I'm glad there were no injuries and the house remained in one piece.

Safety first... using the welding gloves just in case!

Dad and Ross

Matt liked the finished product

Christmas Day was spent opening loads of great presents and spending time with the Otte family.

This Iowa pillow pet has already gotten a lot of use!

Me and Matt on Christmas

Ross and Erin on Christmas

On New Year's Eve Eve, we went to the PO to watch the Iowa bowl game. The place was the most packed I've even seen it! Lots of overflow from Four Shadows, I think. We had a fun time. Dave gave Matt and Brian these Iowa hawkeye hats to wear. They LOVED them!

Love the hats!

Beak fight

It's all fun and games until someone loses a beak!

We spent New Year's Eve at our place with Erin and Ross. It was basically and taco and pajama party. Comfy clothes, good food, fun games = a great way to ring in the New Year! Sofie was the first to pass out again this year! She did get her second wind at midnight.

Sofie kept Matt entertained

Getting ready for the midnight toast - gotta get them all the exact same

One of these years, we'll actually go over to Navy Pier to watch the fireworks in person