Merry Christmas!

Santa came to our house! The girls slept in later than me, Matt and Milo! We were up waiting for them to wake up... oh, how times change!

Milo was ready to pounce on any stray paper!

He "helped" as much as he could!

Morgan asked for Ugg Tasmans and was very excited to get them!

The girls main gifts this year were Uggs, Birkenstocks, hoodies, sweatpants, nail/hair/skin care items, and pajamas. They both also got a new Kendra Scott item - they love that jewelry!

The girls got me a Brrr basket! Candy, socks, cozy blanket, puffer vest, bath gel, Yeti coffee mug and a bleacher chair... so many fun gifts!

The girls got Matt a few fun gifts... one didn't arrive, one looks almost identical to what we got him last year (must've thought it looked like him!) and a Bears hat that was one size fits most, but just not him! Ha! We also got him a Japanese chef's knife and a chicken shredder :)

Milo got a sniffing mat, which he loved!

Morgan is turning into quite the screenager - ha!

Avery loves her new Dr. Pepper shirt!

Grandma Ruth stopped by for brunch... she's getting shorter! ;)

In the afternoon, all of my family joined us for presents and dinner.

Avery was really excited to get her new dance bag!

Calvin sporting all his new drip!

Avery and Grandma opening presents!

Erin got these mixtiles for Matt... I love them!

Matt made a delicious dinner for us all... lasagna! We also had so many tasty treats courtesy of my mom and brother!

It was a very Merry Christmas... and over way too fast!

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at Erin's house in our Christmas Jammies!

Aunt Erin had some fun games or everyone to play. There was an Escape Room for the kids.

And then a white elephant gift game for everyone. Morgan really wanted to end up with one of these two gifts!

When we got home, the neighborhood was lit up with luminaries - so pretty, even in the rain!

Christmas Eve Eve

We went over to Erin's house to decorate gingerbread houses with the boys and Grandma and Gandpa.

That evening, we picked up some hot chocolate and drove around looking at all the pretty holiday lights. The girls had put on their new hair masks, so they sported their bonnets for the drive! :)

Check out the score for this ONE word!

Nutcracker

We went to see the Nutcracker at the College of DuPage put on by the Salt Creek Ballet. My aunts have season tickets to this theater but were able to get extra tickets for the Nutcracker performance. We all went over to their house afterwards for dinner.

Santa made an appearance at the Nutcracker

Go Bears!

They look a little pink in the pictures, but the lights are orange and blue.

Winter Dance Showcase

Avery's dance school had a winter recital. It was scaled back from the one they hold in June - no costumes, just t-shirts and leggings for all. There were separate recitals for each age group. Avery did three dances - jazz, lyrical ballet and hip hop.

Milo is ready for the holidays!

Milo got groomed, so he's ready for his close-up! :)

Before - a little scruffy!

After - so cute!

O, Christmas Tree!

I finally finished decorating the tree! We've all been so busy that the ornaments just sat on the coffee table for two weeks!

Let's celebrate the winning season!

The girls basketball team got together for a pizza party to celebrate their success and 4th place finish in the state tournament.

Brrr Basket Party

The girls' friends had a Brrr Basket party. It was originally a Secret Santa type of party, but of course, the girls told each other who they got. So, no longer a secret!

They exchanged baskets and then decorated gingerbread houses.

Morgan and Cara added a special decoration (aka a Dorito!) to their house. :)

Rachel's younger sister, Olivia, judged the gingerbread houses. Avery and Lizzie's creation won 1st place. Morgan and Cara were in second! :)