Grandma with Meg and Zach

This weekend Grandma Chris made the trek to Chicago through all the mounds of snow. We all went to a birthday party for friends of Meg and Zach at Enchanted Castle. To get an idea of how grand enchanted castle is think of about 5 Chuckie Cheeses bound together by a banquet hall, go karts, mini golf, and laser tag.

Saturday night after mass we enjoyed some delicious Chicago Style deep dish from Giordanos and watched one of our family's favorite movies, Matlida.

Sunday, Meg's school had their annual Open house. Meg a wonderful time showing off her school to Zach and meeting the 1st grade teachers.

Zach, Doggy Doc

This weekend we headed over to the Hammel Family zoo to escape the cold (-22 with wind chill yikes!). Meg and Zach had a great time playing dress up. Meg was a doctor working hard on a young horse. Zach after saving a dog's life went back to working the phones as the Zoo Director.

We spent most of the rest of the weekend indoors. so on Sunday night we had our neighbors over to play a little Wii bowling.

A quick update

Meg lost her first tooth last week!

This weekend we had fun, but it was pretty busy...

Saturday

• Cleaned & put away Christmas
  
• Meg went to an Open Gym at Flying High
  
• Zach took a nap
  
• Chris and Elizabeth Sang at Mass
  
• Meg's friend came over for pizza and a movie
  
• Elizabeth is now on the St. Cletus School Board!
  

Sunday

• Elizabeth cantored 11am Mass
  
• Play Practice
  
• Chris, Meg & Zach got hair cuts
  

Christmas Whirlwind

We had another whirlwind Christmas. The kids had fun coming to work the morning of Christmas Eve. Then we headed down to Indy. Meg and Zach loved seeing their cousins and Grandma and Grandpa McLean. We got back to Grandma Chris’ house around 9pm that night. While Chris and the kids slept we went to Midnight Mass.

Christmas morning the kids were excited. They got lots of presents and they were very happy. Overall, it was a good Christmas, but too short. We were back home by 5:30pm Christmas night. Luckily our favorite Mexican restaurant was open so we could get some dinner before collapsing on the couch.

An Early Christmas Visitor

Grandpa Goellner drove up from St. Louis this weekend to spend some holiday time with the kids. On Thursday he saw Meg perform in her schools holiday show (click here). For Friday Elizabeth took the day off to hang out. Then Saturday we all went to the arboretum to enjoy the last bits of snow before they melted. That night we did our weekly pizza and a movie ritual. This week we watched Star Wars Episode 1. Meg and Zach got into it but Zach did say that he didn't like the guy with horns on his head (Darth Maul).

Check back on Christmas for our pictures of the kids ripping through brightly colored paper!

School Mass and LPC PJ Party

Friday was an exciting day for the kids. Meg's Kindergarten class sang during the All School Advent Mass and then had a party that afternoon.

Zach's class had a Polar Express PJ Party. Later that afternoon they did a book exchange. Zach gave his friend Piper the book "What are you so Grumpy about?" by Tom Lichtenheld. We met the author at a book signing this fall and loved his funny writing and entertaining illustrations.

Sunday Sledding Crew

This morning we headed out to the sledding hill in LaGrange. Meg and Zach had been ready to do some sledding since the snow first fell on Friday but this was our first chance to get out to the hill. One of Meg and Zach's friends Ryan met us there so the group had fun having races and cramming onto one sled. when everyone got cold we headed bac to the house for some warm strawberry milk.

Later today we got together with friends to make (and eat) some cookies. Mom's chocolate chip cookies were a hit with the kids and the rum balls were a hit with parents.

The Neighborhood Santa

The Dr. Todd at the dentist's office that is a few blocks from our house is very generous through the seasons. For the fall he had a little party and gave away pumpkins and now for Christmas they had Santa. Well the kids are suckers for cookies, hot chocolate, jolly Saint Nick so after playing in the snow a bit we headed down to say hi and have some sweets.

Later Saturday Elizabeth was asked to perform with the Bending Towards the Light jazz nativity group at the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights. It was a great place to watch the show and the kids got front row seats so they could really see all the dancing, instruments, and most important, Mom. Bill, Christa and little Will also stopped by to enjoy the show. I took a small video clip form the show and hope to post the video later this week.