Chicago

Dan and I met up with my good friend Angie and her husband Tony and we spent a night in the city. We had a really,really, good time bowling, chatting at dinner and singing at Howl at the Moon. I am so glad we went. It was so great to catch up and relax for a night!

Trip to Illinois

On the 26th Dan, the boys and I flew to Chicago to spend time with my family for a week. We flew Southwest and were very impressed by the customer services all around. They definitely won us over for any future flights! Austin did fine on both flights and Lucas only had a hard time on the way there. He happened to be cutting a tooth that day. = ) Fun times! While we were in Illinois we spent time playing in the snow and visiting with Grandma and Grandpa Noonan. We went to a hockey game with my brother and sister-in-law and spent a night in the city with good friends Angie and Tony. We were only there for 4 full days but we managed to fit it all in! I wish we were able to fly back more often. I don't realize how much I miss some of the things back home until I go back there!

Austin enjoying onion rings from Fred's!



Since Grandma and Grandpa couldn't be here on Austin's birthday they wanted to celebrate with him early. They took him to Chuck E. Cheese for a little party.

Christmas

We had a really nice Christmas with our families in 2010. Austin was very excited for Santa to come and had fun leaving cookies, milk and carrots for Santa and his reindeer! It was equally fun for us to watch him get so into Christmas this year! Santa may have gone a little over board again this year but Dan and I understand his wanting to spoil the kids. = )

This started out as me just taking pictures of the boys playing around. But, the more I took, the more Lucas started posing. It was hillarious! Even though the boys in the background are totally horsing around, Lucas took advantage of the lime light. = )

Lucas and Austin Starting to Interact!!

Austin is starting to be more understanding about Lucas. Yes we have our brotherly un-love moments but I'm excited to see Austin being more interactive with his brother. Last week, Lucas was crying and Austin was wiping the tears from his face using his "Phil." Phil is Austin's sacred blankie and no one can touch it. It was such a nice mommy moment for me!!! There are some random pics below of the boys recently!

We got a carpet for the floor in hopes that Lucas would show some interest in crawling. He gets on his tummy and rolls but crawling is not on his agenda.

My "Smartypants" Austin loves to watch Polar Express and drive the train using that toy in front of him. It has a lever that you pull up and down and the toy lights up. He drives the train with his lever throughout the movie. = )

Kitty Cat

Austin and Kitty Cat are still getting along. Even after he manually turns her head/neck to make her look at him when he talks to her. = ) She puts up with it all. What a great friend.

Surprise Presents!

Austin and Lucas got a surprise box of presents from my good friend Angie back in Illinois! I couldn't believe it when Dan told me. What an unbelievably nice gesture!!!! Austin was excited to open the gifts. We let him open one gift and are making him wait until Christmas morning for the rest. = )

Holiday Party

This year Dan and I attended my work holiday party. It was at a really neat country, western bar/restaurant. The inside had tables for dining and the outside had these personal fire pits all over the place where you can sit with your family and roast marshmallows. We had a great time!