Chili and Cocoa at Auntie Sarah's

Thursday night, (I'm almost up to date!!!!) we went to Auntie Sarah's house for Chili and Hot Chocolate! It was fun getting into the holiday sprit with our friends and family. I'm still so thankful to live so close to them! Thanks for a yummy dinner Sarah! Amelia read to Curious George, while Jessie had me photographing her, Bell and the Little Mirmaid chick. Jessie, you're going to have to help me know all the names. I'm still learning. After dinner...we headed to First Christian Church for the Drive Thru LIVE Nativity, which of course we walked:)

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Amelia got her first Christmas ornament from Grandma and Grandpa. She got it ready to be hung on the tree. I can't believe how long it takes to decorate a tree! It was fun though. I love decorating for Christmas. I wish we could keep it up all year long.

Amelia's first Christmas Tree...

After seeing Santa on Main Street, we headed to Target to pick out our Christmas Tree! YEAH!!!!!!! Auntie Sarah and Dean joined us. They were being silly. Dean "Sarah have you been a good little girl?" Sarah "Ha ha ha, of course" Amelia "What? good? Auntie Sarah?"

Santa's arrival on Main Street in HB

Mr. and Mrs. Clause came down Main Street on a fire truck. Santa was sporting his Hawiian shirt. We waited for the Main Street snowflakes to light up, as we listened to Christmas music, sipping hot chocolate. Mom and Dad bought us all a flashing snowflake. We plan on taking them to church Christmas Eve:) It's so wonderful being close to family!!!!!

Santa Paws in the Park...

What a great morning!

Memory Lane....

The Red Barn is where we would go as a kid. They had this big slide we'd go down and lots of animals to pet. Chicago Pizza at Monicals is a must!!! YUMMMY. The theater is where my Grandparents met. Roberts Jewelry is where dad bought mom her wedding ring. Roberts...hummmmmm Krista is it a sign?

Shopping at Prarie Gardens...

Shopping at Prarie Gardens, my shopping heaven!!!! I HAVE to go to Prarie Gardens each time I go home. It's a decorators dream store!!! We had such a blast. The smell of pine trees outside was so wonderful. I love it, Dad running to get photos. I got some cool photos of Krista in action...I wish I could do a slideshow. It was crazy

Illini Snow

I'm slacking on the photos. I wanted to share some snow for those Californian's. Grandpa and Amelia sleeping. She's so cute. She has to touch you when you're sleeping next to her. She's a lover!

Bulgarian Christmas Eve

That's right! We are having a Bulgarian Christmas Eve!!!! Every year Straty likes to create a themed Christmas Eve dinner. I better do my research! We are FINALLY getting our tree on Sunday. This is very unusual for the Hadj home. Due to our travels and Ame being under the weather, we decided to go during the day, in hopes it's warm for Amelia to be outside. She has an ear infection and cold. Speaking of... I can't believe it's almost been a year since our little girl entered this world! We are celebrating her birthday with a butterfly bash on the 17th! She's growing so fast! She's so wanting to talk. I love how she points her way through the house. If she wants food or beverage she'll point me to the frig. If she wants play, she points to her toys in the living room, or if she wants to pick one of her stuffed animals in her room she of course points. What a doll:)

Sweet Home California, where the skies are blue

Thank you Lord, we made it home safe and sound. We got to the Champagne Airport in the nick of time! I was standing at the ticket counter and in walks the pilot Amelia and I sat on the plane with from Phili to Chicago. I couldn't get his attention, but it was funny seeing him there. Then we loaded up into the plane. I look over in the pilot seat and there he was! I leaned in and asked if he could just fly the plane to California. At first he didn't recognize us, but I think Ame's smile got him. He laughed. As we sat the down, the lady announced we were getting ready to leave. But here came the pilot of the plane walking our way. He came to say hello to Amelia. They had such a fun time playing on the plane. He was surprised at how good she was. Not a fit on any of the 6 flights!!!! Thank you Lord!!!! Anyway, it was great to see Pilot Scott. Hopefully we'll get to see him again.

I'm sitting here at the dining room table, mentally making a list of to do's. The house is in desparate need of cleaning, laundry which in process is piled in the garage, Christmas needs some fine tuning and a TREE!!!!! The electricity went off twice this morning???? Anyway, it's good to be home, in our own beds, with the hounds and hubby:) I did love seeing both sides of the family! Thank you for making the trip so enjoyable!!! Now, you all have to make your way to CA!!! XOXO