Kriskindle Market

We enjoyed visiting the Kriskindle Market today with my parents, despite a little rain. I'd been dying to get my dad there ever since I discovered it during my first year in Chicago, finding it remarkably similar to the Kriskindle Markets we visited when we lived in Stuttgart, Germany during my high school years. Sure enough, my parents loved it...the Nuremburger wursts, gloggwein, gingerbread, and brightly striped awnings on the tiny booths where ornaments and chocolate are sold.

Thanksgiving

We're enjoying a busy Thanksgiving week filled with lots of family time, food, and shopping! It's been so nice to spend a full week with my parents and I've actually been able to get some long-neglected shopping errands accomplished while I have help. Seriously, I had not bought a single Christmas present (completely unlike me...I like to be done by the time December rolls around) and was in desperate need of a warm winter coat. I'd been putting off this project for two year--ever since I was pregnant--so I was glad to get that done.

Yay for grandparents!

It's been fun to see Gavin interact with so many people he feels comfortable with over the past week, especially as he spent time with both sets of grandparents over Thanksgiving. He is definitely showing off for my parents, running around house and laughing and singing every song he knows (not a big repertoire yet, but he's working on it). And I think he shocked my mother by singing the ABC song all the way through. Those first borns are over-achievers, right?

It's been a great week and helps make up for the fact that we won't be traveling to Utah for a while due to Joe's crazy work/school schedule. One day of vacation left!

Favorite Photos

Orlando

I took a last-minute trip to Orlando a couple of weekends ago to be a part of a 90th birthday celebration for grandfather. Several of my family members flew in from across the country for the party, held at my grandparent's church. It was great to be a part of the celebration and to visit not only with my grandparents, but my parents and brother in from Utah, and my aunt, uncle, and cousin in from Virginia.

Joe and Gavin stayed home for this one and I traveled by myself, so I was able to really get some good visiting in. We also fit in visits to every chain restaurant on International Drive. Can anyone say Denny's?

Anyway, it was a festive weekend and as you will see from the pictures above, my brother and I both know how to Smize.

Daddy Adoration

So, Gavin is in love with his Daddy. Mind you, I am not complaining, especially when his modeling and adoration influences him to do useful things like taking out the garbage.

Even so, I can't help but feel a pang of jealousy when Joe walks through the door after work and Gavin immediately wants to play with "Da Da." In fact, he shrugs me off if I try to pick him up when Joe is home and says, "No! Da Da!" I am the Invisible Mother when my husband is around. Does anyone else find this to be true in your household? Does this shift back to mom at some point? Right now I feel like the chief bottom wiper and cook without the fun benefits.

However, I did get a heart-melting little kiss this morning and Daddy did not, so, nanny nanny, boo boo!

Birthday

Those who know me well know that I am a BIG fan of my birthday (to put it mildly). Birthdays weren't a super big deal in my family growing up, so it took me a while to figure out where this passion came from. The best I can determine is that from the time I moved out of the house to go to college when I was 18 years old, I always celebrated big with my friends and it just sort of stuck. In fact, I have friends who encourage my birthday behavior and revel in their own birthdays with just as much gusto. We collect tiaras as we go and I hope we never stop (Larisa).

Because last year was such a milestone throwdown (thanks to my fabulous husband), this year's birthday celebration was a bit more chill. Just a great evening with a few friends dining at a newish restaurant called Mixteco. The food was delicious, and the company even better, which is all you can ask on your birthday. You've got to celebrate...or at least, I do.