February snow soon...

Vacation days are made for this

Winding down the year

Chicago trip

The weather gods smiled on us for our trip to Chicago and it was nice to see so many relatives. Saturday afternoon we went to the Chicago Botanic Garden for their Winter Wonderland display--which was just fantastic. All of these iconic Chicago buildings made of organic materials. So charming.

And there were train tracks running around the whole thing, some above, some below.

The library there had a whole display of felt figures from literature.  So fun!

That is a lot of poinsettias.

Sue!

Examining Sue's head.

Yes, it's been awhile...

Reading with Papa

We got 6-8 inches of snow last night/this morning.

We had our last music class of the session this morning (8am!!!) and afterward we checked out the new coffee place in downtown Urbana.

A tomte santa from Sweden

Enjoying cake after the CBA holiday show this week

Leo in his usual habitat

Watching Charlie Brown Christmas and eating string cheese

Does this really need a caption?

Checking St. Nick's loot

EasterBirthdaySnowStorm

We went to Wausau this weekend, intending to celebrate Molly's birthday and Easter a week early. We managed to do all of that, baking a cake, decorating eggs, and getting a visit from the Easter Bunny, even though we left a day early. Turns out to have been the right decision, as right now we are getting 1-2" of snow here per hour in Urbana. Happy Spring!

Molly's cake

Molly and GramGram

Leo proud of his tinkertoy creation

Molly and Grandpa Ervin telling jokes

Leo and Grandpa Ervin and Leo's Lego creation

The snow--still in progress 

Still coming down out there.

Meeting a new cousin

Last weekend we went to Ft. Wayne to visit the Houstens and meet their newest addition. Jeff spent Friday and Saturday at a gaming convention and Leo joined him for Sat. afternoon. They both had a good time. Glenn and Carol were able to come down on Saturday, which was good, because Cynthia got the stomach flu.

Leo reading in the children's area at ACPL--he finished that book in one day 

Molly and Sam hecking out the shark in the children's area at ACPL

Sam proves there is just enough snow for some sledding

Short order cook

A Bebop and some grandsons

the Dougan kids with their newest Housten cousin--not the most flattering pic of Will--he is beautiful!

Snow, glorious snow!

Snow girl, just like her mama

Great shoveler; no desire to make snowman

Putting finishing touches on snowman Bob

Learning to make snow angels