New Years with the fam in Chicago

Happy New Year! Its always a great start to the new year when you get to spend it with family! We had such a great time with everyone this year. It was great to have Trevor back and two new members of the family- Thomas and Landon!



6 grandkids? When did that happen? ;0)


Since we had everyone together we had to do some family pictures!

With so many kids around we made it a goal to get them out of the house for a fun activity at least once a day...or more! They got a lot of train experiences: Lunch at the train cafe,
and a visit to a family friend's house who has a whole train city!

Everyone had such thoughtful gifts this year, too. My dad made this clock for us-just stunning! He's getting so talented with his woodworking hobby!

He shared his talents with all the guys and they each made a chess board. I love that is a totally unique one of a kind, complete with our family letter- S!

We had so many good times: treasure hunt to the troll's bridge, running from the troll (who sounded alot like Trevor I might add) after stealing all his chocolate coins!, playing at the park, reading stories, laughing, playing games,

celebrating birthdays, and more birthdays, oh and one more birthday, kids New Year party, Adult New Year party, reading last years predictions, writing new ones, bunco, fondue, white elephant, the kids begging to watch pinocchio over and over again, and lots of sewing and woodworking creations in Santas Little Workshop, AKA my parents basement.