The post-Christmas rush

Christmas was far from the end of our adventures in Chicago... altogether we spent a week exploring the area and spending some fun, high-quality time together.

Here Lucas and his Aunt Kathi are smiling for the camera.

We went to a trampoline place filled with wall-to-wall trampolines. It was a blast, even if I didn't get any good pictures...

My parents treated us all to a Harlem Globetrotters game.

Man, those guys are tall....

We ate at Red Robin... one of my absolute, all-time hamburger joints.

Yippeee!!!! (By the way, do you see that wonderful woman in the photo above? I spent a morning with her too, sharing coffee and some much needed chatting time... Our special tradition.)

We spent a few hours at Gameworks.

And, on one of the best days of our entire trip, we ate a wonderful meal cooked by my grandfather. This kitchen holds so many memories....

Christmas in Chicago

For the first time since Nicholas was a baby, we spent Christmas in Chicago with my family -- my mom and dad, Tim, Kathi, Tyson, Samantha and Grandpa. We braved the snowstorm in Scandinavia to fly from Stockholm to Copenhagen (where we spent around two extra hours locked inside the plane, waiting on the tarmac... first for the de-icing, then for the ground crew to fix a "technical problem, and then a second de-icing) to Chicago, arriving late on the evening of the 23rd.

On the 24th, we relaxed, tried to get over the jet lag, wrapped a few presents....

Went to a beautiful children's mass at my parents' church, left out cookies for Santa and an apple for Rudolph...

And went to bed.

The boys woke Christmas morning, were forced to spend 30 minutes or so waiting in the bedroom (yelling "Can we come out yet????") while the adults made some much-needed coffee. As soon as they got word of their release, they came bounding down the stairs with excitement.

Presents!!!!! (do not ask me why Nicholas is wearing that Mario hat... He wore it nearly all day.

 Tim and Kathi in the Christmas spirit.

Mom and dad enjoying the chaos... (it's such a shame, dad, that your freaky Christmas Santa mysteriously disappeared into the garbage can this year after haunting us for 20+ years...)

Present opening continues.

There are so many amazing men in my life, but this guy is one of the most amazing-est.

After demolishing the mound of presents, we spent the day cooking and eating, preparing for our delicious Christmas dinner.

We could have fed an army or two....

The day included a bit of foolishness...

And Nicholas taking over the camera -- he's quite artistic, don't you think?

It was a memorable, unforgettable Christmas that none of us will ever forget.