Mueller family Christmas.

Santa made a special visit to Aunt Tooties!
Loving all of the presents.

Playing with Amber.

Hanging out with Avery.

The final stop on our Christmas extravaganza was at Aunt Tooties to celebrate with the Mueller family (and to celebrate Chrissy's birthday!). Santa made a guest appearance. Eli was taking a much needed nap during Santa's visit so he missed out. Nathan was a little nervous and wouldn't sit on Santa's lap. Of course, he did accept the present that Santa brought for him! We had more great food and enjoyed our short visit. All of us had a great time and are so blessed with such wonderful families.

Christmas with the May Family.

Daddy and his boys.

Eli and Andrew comparing their loot.

Look at all my new toys!

Aunt Stephanie and Gloria help Eli open his presents.

It was great to see everyone at Grandma and Grampa May's house. The boys love seeing Grandma and Grandpa, their aunts and uncles and their cousins. They laughed, they cried, they ran around, they opened a lot of presents. We need to address some space issues in our basement as a result of all these new toys.

The many Christmas' of the May family. Christmas at home

Our Christmas tree for 2010

Nathan gets a new scooter!

We had our family Christmas before we left to see Grandma and Grampa May. Nathan and Eli couldn't have been more excited and loved their new toys. LIttle did the know that this was just the beginning of lot more presents!

It's a pillow, it's a pet. It's a pillow pet!

Nathan had been asking over and over again for a Pillow Pet. Every time he saw the commercial he would sing the song and get so excited. So when the boys opened up their Pillow Pets you can only imagine the excitement in our house! They ran around the basement together with the Pillow Pets and did all sorts of crazy things.

Happy birthday Miss Kelly

The boys helping to blow out the candles.
Eli...how did your hair end up like that?

HA!

We are lucky enough to spend time with my good friend Kelly and her two boys, Zach and AJ. Kelly recently had a birthday (29 again!) so Nathan and I made some cupcakes for a little celebration. As you can see, everyone enjoyed the cupcakes!

Avery's big day!

Proud sponsors.

It didn't take long for Avery to win over Annie's heart.

Grandma's new little girl.

A happy, thankful family.

Nathan wasn't real keen on the pictures - even Amber couldn't get him to stay put!

We were so excited to witness and be a part of Avery's bapitism! She's a tough little girl who has already been through so much, but she's doing great now, and we're all blessed and thankful for her. Nathan of course talked all day about the fact that there would be cake at the party!

They all fall down from the coconut tree.

Nathan is obsessed with the book Chicka, Chicka 1,2,3 and Chicka, Chicka A B C. His obsession is getting pretty ridiculous! He took over our mini-Christmas tree for the entire season performing live re-enactments of the book.

Christmas photo shoot...the out takes

Not so happy.
Enough already!


Ok...maybe this isn't so bad.

This is Nathan's "say cheese" photo face.

"Helping" me hang the ornaments.

He didn't do that bad of a job!

Zoo Lights

Nathan didn't really like the sleet/snow...or getting his picture taken.




Nathan looked at this picture and thought that there were fireworks in the background!

The other weekend we all went out for an early dinner and headed over to the Lincoln Park Zoo to see the Zoo lights. For the last couple of years I've seen them setting the lights up, but we've never made it over to see them in full effect. I was amazed! I now understand why the exhibit is sponsored by ComEd! It's crazy how many lights they have. Eli and Nathan LOVED all the lights and seeing the animals at night.

Smiles

Cozmuel 2010

Cashed out.

This first plane ride is pretty cool!


Eli is a little water bug -he loves swimming and is unafraid of the water.

He's also unafraid of fish. He loved diving right in to touch, grab and play with the fish that would swarm around us when we threw bread in the water.

Sometimes a boy just needs to air things out a little.

A happy family at sunset.

A tired, but happy family before dinner.

Nathan honed is golf swing on the mini golf course, but was more enamored with the numbers on each hole.

I get this whole popsicle to myself!

Needless to say, sand was everywhere and very difficult to clean up!

Helping me pack for vacation!

Big smiles for our little guy!
Of course the wanted in the suitcase!

We are about to head out with the Mueller Family to Cozumel for Thanksgiving! Joel is working crazy hours so the boys are helping me pack! We can't wait for some family time and fun in the pool.

Eli's first hair cut.