Merry Christmas

Our family dressed and getting ready to go to church on Christmas Eve. As I look at this picture it still amazes me that I am a mother of two beautiful, healthy & happy little guys! We truly had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends and feel so blessed to have such generous and loving people in our lives. This year was extra exciting because it was Gavin's 1st Christmas and Carter is at that age now were he started to understand Christmas traditions and got excited about Santa and just loved singing "Jingle Bells" all season long.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year~
Love, Dana, Darrell, Carter & Gavin

Gavi & Gabby on their 1st lunch date at Applebee's. What cutie pies they are! Bean & I got together over Christmas to visit and go out for lunch. We played it smart though and decided to leave the big brothers at their grandma's so that we were able to actually enjoy our lunch and conversation. The baby's were so well behaved and it was too cute watching them stare at each other, share toys and even hold hands!

Random picture, but it is of a beautiful gingerbread house that was at the Mulligan's country club. I just love gingerbread houses and I am always amazed by how a bunch of sugary candy can make up such a lovely holiday display!

It's a "Carter concert" at our house these days. This picture is my boys on Christmas morning when Carter got his favorite gift from Santa....his very own GUITAR!

One happy Carty with his 2 new favorite trucks!!! Santa surprised him and brought him a garbage truck that actually has a mini belt that lifts the garbage cans up and dumps the trash in the back of the truck!

Thank you Noni & Grandpa Micheli for Carter's new kitchen set!~ We have been cooking in it all week long! Aunt Knee-Knee got him some cool fake McDonald's food to go with his kitchen so he is sure to fix you up something yummy to eat!

Our little rock star!

Baby G was more interested in bows and ribbons than gifts~ He just sat looking all cute in his new GAP sweater hat that Aunt Knee Knee got him!

Gavin's BIG Christmas present from Santa was a barnyard Jumperoo! He absolutely loves this toy. This is a picture of him in it for the first time on Christmas morning.

Christmas morning and Gavin is checking out another Santa present. This one is a cool symphony textile toy.

Merry 1st Christmas baby G!!! WOW....Noni sure does have a pretty tree. Let me just yank one more ornament off of it! I am sure she hasn't noticed the one I have in my lap yet!

Gavin's first time visiting Santa & Mrs. Claus at the Mulligan's country club Christmas party.

Christmas Eve at Noonie & Papa's house. Carter got a cement mixer truck...aka..."a papa truck"

Not sure who liked it more Carter or Papa. What a cool truck. It was so real life looking, even Gavin was interested in it.

Chill Out

A dear family friend Mary Scheri sent the boys a Pajama Gram for Christmas this year. It was the cutest gift! It came with a matching pair of winter pj's with a polar bear on them that said "Chill Out" a pair of warm fuzzy red slippers and a soft and cuddly little stuffed dog. Thanks Mary! You have always been so generous and kind to me and my boys~ The boys loved their gift! Merry Christmas!

Quote of the Week #2

"Changing a diaper is a lot like getting a present from your grandmother -- you're not sure what you've got but you're pretty sure you're not going to like it.” -Jeff Foxworthy

Quote of the Week...

"People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one." ~Leo J. Burke

SAHM's 1st Annual Christmas Party

"It's not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it." ~From the television show The Golden Girls

Last night we had a wonderful Christmas party at Jack's Wine Bar. Myself and a few of my "mommy" friends decided that we should start up a new tradition where we have a holiday party for all of us hardworking stay at home moms and our wonderful hubby's! It was great to chat (without children tugging at your feet or interrrupting your every word), get to meet the spouses and just get to know each other in more of a social way. Although we have been meeeting every Tuesday now for over 2 years, are conversations are generally about toddler tantrums and baby schedules. Not to mention the fact that there is generally 15 children in one room when we do meet so it is definitely kind of hard to hear! Honestly though, I have some amazing, supportive and fun ladies in my life! Getting involved in this playgroup has been the best thing I have done since having Carter. We all had a nice night filled of lots of wine, some shots and smokes! A very much so well deserved night out for all~ And....a very BIG thanks to my sister Kendra for displaying the UTMOST patiences while watching our beloved Carter last night so that we could enjoy ourselves. We appreciate you more than you know.

Common Man Christmas Party

This year the annual Common Man Christmas Party was held at Maggiano's Italian Restaurant at the beautiful Oakbrook Mall. Common Man then treated all the couples to a nice hotel room over at the Marriott. It sure was a treat for Darrell and I to have not only a nice night out, but great food, great company and a nice cozy hotel bed to sleep in alone. We really took advantage of that and slept till 9am and had breakfast in bed. Thank you Noonie & Papa for watching the boys for us. We had a great time! AND....a BIG thanks to my husband for all his hardwork and success this year.

Merry 1st Christmas Baby Gavin

Tis the Season

Meet the latest addition to our family....Oily the Elf. The Micheli family has started a new Christmas tradition. It is called the "Elf on the Shelf." Mommy had been hearing lots of "hype" about this great elf thing to try out at home. So we got one for our house. Carter named the elf "Oily" not too much to my surprise. Our cleaning lady who Carter is obsessed with is named "Oily" or at least that is the shortened version of her Russian name. So "Oily" the elf arrived at our house this week and is on the look out to see who is being "naughty" and who is being "nice." Every night Oily flies back to the North Pole and reports back to Santa on whether or not the boys, Carter in particular has been good that day. Mommy is keeping her fingers crossed that this works this holiday season and all of them there after.

Mommy's cute little reindeer!

Bath Time Fun

Gavin is officially in the big boy tub now. He took his first bath last night with Carter and had a fun bubbly time!

Playgroup Holiday Party

Could this picture get anymore hilarous? Yep, we tried to get a "good" picture of all our little kiddos at the playgroup holiday party. Kate, Ryder and Graham Marnell hosted a very fun and festive morning brunch/Secret Santa gift exchange party. Poor Gavin had to miss it because he had a bit of a fever and was fussy from his immunizations from the day before. However, Carter was excited about it and dressed up in his holiday best. Merry Christmas to all~

Sleeeeeeeeeepy Boys

Oh how mommy just loves this "minute"......... Two tired little guys after a fun filled day at Navy Pier.

Navy Pier's Winter Wonderland

Walking in a winter wonderland.......The boys, mom, Kendra & I went to the Navy Pier's Winter Wonderland. It was honestly one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. As an adult, I was memorized by all the neat decorations, tree lights, festive rides and the North Pole "feeling" you got when you walked in the door. Carter absolutely loved all the rides and Gavin loved just looking at all the colorful lights. This is definitely something we plan on doing annually now. Except next year, Papa and Daddy have to come too!

We are Thankful for.....our families

Thanksgiving at Micah & Kim's. They just got a new sectional couch that week so EVERYONE had room to sit on it. Yep, count it. 13 family members hanging out after dinner.

Happy 1st Thanksgiving to our "little turkey." Gavin had on a cute shirt that said he is "thankful" for mommy, daddy, turkey and football!

Carter and cousin Lily watching the Macy's Day parade. The two of them just LOVED dancing and singing along to the music. I think the Sesame Street parade balloons and little song/dance was their favorite part of the parade! I have to admit, this was the first year I actually sat down to watch it and it was very entertaining.

The Boys with Grandpa & Noni Micheli

The Boys with Noonie & Papa Cruz

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

We hope that this Thanksgiving holiday that you all were blessed with good food and loving family and friends to share it with!

~Love, Darrell, Dana, Carter & Gavin

Playing Dress Up

Carter pretending to be a "Donalds" worker! One large french fry please!

I guess he was pretending to be me in this pic??? At least that is what he said. My robe, my diaper bag and my favorite hat. What a great combination!

Guess who????? Pretending now to be Darrell! This kid is always pretending to do or be something or someone!

Mr. Peddler

Carter stopping for little peddeling break. Carter is doing a fantastic job at riding his big boy bike. Darrell has nicknamed him "zigzag" because he hasn't quite figured out how to steer yet!


Mommy and Gavin came out to the River Walk to watch Carter ride his bike while the weather was nice out!

Gavin's new stuff

Our little Gavin enjoying the exersaucer that Noonie has let us borrow. I think "Santa" is bringing him a new one this season! Gavin also just loves sitting in his big boy highchair that Noonie and Papa gave him as an early Christmas gift. Gavin loves to gobble up his two favorite foods while in his chair. Carrots & Bananas!!!