Christmas Break Trip

As part of the kids Christmas present, we decided to take them on a little experience trip to both Indianapolis and Chicago. The boys went to both a Bucks game and a Bulls game and Ali and I spent some quality time doing some shopping! We left on Wednesday, January 3rd and got to our hotel around 4. We walked to a nearby mall where Ali and I did some clearance shopping at Bath and Body Works, got a pretzel at Auntie Anne's, and found some fun things at TJ Maxx. While we were shopping, the boys headed to the Bucks vs. Pacers game. Ali and I walked back to the hotel and hung out in our hotel room for the rest of the night. On Thursday, January 4th, we ate breakfast at the hotel and headed to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. We spent almost 5 hours there. It was seriously so cool and we all had a great time! We then headed back to our hotel to relax a little bit and then we went out for supper at the Old Spaghetti Factory just down the block from our hotel. It was so yummy and we were all so full! On Friday, January 5th, we ate breakfast at the hotel again and packed up our stuff to head to Chicago. We got to the windy city around 1 and did some shopping on Michigan Avenue after a yummy lunch at the Shake Shack. We walked all the way to the Lego store and then Ali and I decided to go to The American Girl Store. The boys headed back to the hotel to get ready for the game that night. We let Ali pick out a doll for an early birthday present and man did we have a good time. She even picked out a camping set to go along with it. She couldn't wait to get back to the hotel to set everything up. The lady at the store took it out of the box for her and it was super cute to watch her carry it back to the hotel and then when we walked to Taco Bell just down from our hotel. We spent the rest of the night hanging out in the hotel room watching a few movies while the boys watched the Bulls win. On Saturday, January 6th, we woke up and enjoyed Dunkin Donuts while we packed up and headed for home. We got home around 2 and then headed to Grandma D's house at 5:30 to help her celebrate her 93rd birthday! 

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day

We spent another New Year's Eve at the lake house. We headed there around 12:30 after church and lunch. We brought all kinds of games and snacks and of course ordered Alfanos pizza for supper. Mamaw and Papa joined us for supper and a few games. We played Monopoly Chance, Uno, Red Light/Green Light, Lion Guard Pride Lands, and Animal Sequence. Bryce also brought his over the door basketball hoop that kept them very entertained. It was nice to unplug and spend some quality family time together. We didn't do a countdown this year and ended the night watching the VHS Charlotte's Web. 

Bryce and Ali were sitting on the couch together and it reminded me of a picture I had taken of them in this same spot so we decided to recreate it. This was from 3 years! 

Jayla's Birthday

 Jayla turned 13 on December 29th. I cannot believe the girl that made me an aunt is that old! We celebrated with her the night before at Buffalo Wild Wings. Ali and Nora had my phone and they were having fun with an app called Duck Duck Moose. I was surprised to find some super cute and silly pictures on my phone that I just had to post them! 

Christmas Morning and Christmas Night

 Christmas time is such a magical time for our kiddos. I numbered the presents that were wrapped like I have done in years past. They like trying to figure out who gets what number. The last present each of them opened was puzzle pieces. Bryce had a puzzle of the United Center because part of his gift is going to a Bulls Game in Chicago. Blaine's puzzle was a picture of Gainbridge Fieldhouse because we will be going to a Bucks and Pacers game in Indianapolis. Ali's puzzle was a picture of the Children's Museum of Indianapolis because we will be spending a day there. We love giving our kids experience gifts because the last thing they need are more toys. We opened presents and ate homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast. We then made a roast for lunch and I also made sweet potato casserole for that night. We hung around the house and all the grandparents came over to see us during the morning. We then headed to Grandpa Carl and Grandma D's house at 5 for more presents and a yummy Swedish supper. The kids had so much fun playing together and the whole family was together minus Ryan who had to work. Val even brought the ingredients to make the Swedish drinks that we had when we went to Door County. They were delicious and it was so nice to all be together!