Lou Meets Santa

Even though it's after Christmas...I HAD to post this picture for our digital records.  When I got back from a quick, long weekend away in Houston, I had the next morning off.  So, Mike and I took the advantage of it being the middle of the week and both of us being home to take Addison to meet Santa at a mall fairly far away.  It's the closest great mall to us.  She did great.  The set up was perfect and Santa was real!

Lou's First Thanksgiving

This year I have SO much to be Thankful for.  We have so much to be thankful for.  Where do we even begin?  This time of year is always a time of reflecting.  Missing those who have left us to be with the Lord.  Thinking about celebrating, starting the gift search and Black Friday.

I spent Thanksgiving with family I am blessed to have through my husband.  I had Thursday and Friday off work...and if I remember correctly, I got out early Wednesday.  A much needed break.  Even more so...much needed time to spend with Addison.  I cannot get over how much she is growing.  I feel like everyday there is a new set of things she can do.  She never looks the same as she did the day before.  She's HUGE now :(

Mike had to work until pretty late Thanksgiving day night.  We had dinner at Mike's grandma and grandpa's house.  It was a feast.  As always, we made too much food.  I cooked egg noodles (a Chalfant family must have) and, as always, nobody was fond of them.  I'd say the majority of them were dumped out.  Next year, I will only made one small bag.  Serving size:  one (me).  Mike arrived, I had pre-made him a plate.  Us ladies were going through the Black Friday ads.   There was nothing I absolutely had to have, so I waited to battle the crowds until Addison woke up Friday morning.  My work focused hubby picked up overtime on Friday night...an overnight of course.  It was a tough day to be alone.  Everyone I knew was with their family.  It's a family time of year.  Up here, it's a day to turn on your fire...bake cookies, put up your tree, outside lights, and decorate the house.  I did my best to keep busy with little Miss, but it was a sad day without Michael.

Oh, and naturally I didn't throw the camera that was charging into my diaper bag :(  Auntie Kim got lots of photos though.  Here she is the day after in all her cuteness:

This year I have SO much to be Thankful for.  We have so much to be thankful for.  Where do we even begin?  This time of year is always a time of reflecting.  Missing those who have left us to be with the Lord.  Thinking about celebrating, starting the gift search and Black Friday. 

I spent Thanksgiving with family I am blessed to have through my husband.  I had Thursday and Friday off work...and if I remember correctly, I got out early Wednesday.  A much needed break.  Even more so...much needed time to spend with Addison.  I cannot get over how much she is growing.  I feel like everyday there is a new set of things she can do.  She never looks the same as she did the day before.  She's HUGE now :(

Mike had to work until pretty late Thanksgiving day night.  We had dinner at Mike's grandma and grandpa's house.  It was a feast.  As always, we made too much food.  I cooked egg noodles (a Chalfant family must have) and, as always, nobody was fond of them.  I'd say the majority of them were dumped out.  Next year, I will only made one small bag.  Serving size:  one (me).  Mike arrived, I had pre-made him a plate.  Us ladies were going through the Black Friday ads.   There was nothing I absolutely had to have, so I waited to battle the crowds until Addison woke up Friday morning.  My work focused hubby picked up overtime on Friday night...an overnight of course.  It was a tough day to be alone.  Everyone I knew was with their family.  It's a family time of year.  Up here, it's a day to turn on your fire...bake cookies, put up your tree, outside lights, and decorate the house.  I did my best to keep busy with little Miss, but it was a sad day without Michael.

Oh, and naturally I didn't throw the camera that was charging into my diaper bag :(  Auntie Kim got lots of photos though.  Here she is the day after in all her cuteness:

{her bow weighing her down?}

{I am thankful for her!!}

{little cheese}

{so serious...}

{big girl snoozing away}

{Addison meets Whinnie the Pooh}

{hello there}

{beautiful}

Surprise Addie Pics!

So, Mike and I kept a little secret from everyone.  We got Addison's 6 month pictures taken 'professionally.'  She was a girl a co-worker recommended.  She did a fairly good job considering the price.  I just wish they weren't all the same pose!

But they were a Christmas surprise for the family...yes, even those of you in Rolla.  I quickly realized that she wasn't going to look the same come December...and that couldn't be more of the truth!  She is SO much bigger.  You can see for yourself:

{without a bow, poor girl looks a little boy-ish}

{little angel, no doubt}

{the first of many tiaras}

{no so sure about it}

{hi baby girl}

{family photo}

{one fav}

{her typical pose at 6 months}

{those baby blues...}

{ah!}

{our little Chicago Bears fan}

{100% pure heaven}

There you have the gist of them...I hope you all enojy!  Sorry they are 3 months late, BUT they were supposed to be a surprise for the Holidays.  Hope it worked :)

Saturday Birthday Celebration

Saturday morning Dad made us my most favorite breakfast...biscuits and gravy!!  YUMMY!  We hung around the house and spent time with Addison.  I ran a few errands solo- which is always nice to get out without the lil one.

We had Kim watch Addison while we went into the city for an evening.  We had dinner reservations fairly late at Gene and Georgetti's.  It was the Festival of Lights down in the city...I thought, "Cool, we can walk down Michigan Ave looking at all the pretty lights and head over to the Hancock building for a few pre-dinner cocktails."  This was before I realized that everyone in Chicago would be attending.  We ended up taking the L.  We got off on the West side of Michigan Ave...there were people everywhere.  We walked up to Michigan Ave and quickly realized there were thousands of people packed like sardines.  We tried to walk the sidewalk for about 5 minutes...then gave up.  We ran the opposite direction.  I had no clue there was a parade...lol.  I'm a Chicago beginner.  I told my Dad and Jenny that one day, when my children are all in grade school, I will know what is going on around me.  (Reality is that I may never have it all together!)  Thank goodness we did not have Addison!

We joined the Smith and Wollensky's Happy Hour crowd as the parade was going on a mere block away.  We saw it on tv actually :)  Once it looked as if the crowd was clearing we headed across Michigan Ave and made the hike up to 95th floor of the John Hancock building.  A little restaurant that has hands down THE BEST view of the city!  Ah!  I was in heaven!  The Signature room wasn't too busy.  We arrived just as a table right up on the glass was leaving and we hustled in.  SO COOL.

Then we jumped in a cab and went to dinner.  The place was small.  Full of older people.  Had an aura of Italian mafia!  The food was fabulous!  Another wonderful experience with my Dad and Jenny on our birthday celebration :)  I didn't see the 'petite' filet on the menu...neither did Jenny, so we had some good meat left over!  They also failed to mention that the meals already came with potatoes...in the future we don't need to order anything but the veggies.  Lesson learned.  We had SO much food left over- I felt terrible!  But it was oh so good.

(pics to come)