Thanksgiving 2009

It was great seeing everyone for Thanksgiving. The meal was wonderful, as always, at Grandma Chris' house. Meg had a fever so she was quarantined upstairs, but she didn't seem to mind as she got to watch movies and play her DS all day.
Friday after some early morning shopping, we visited the McLeans in Indy. We took the kids to Holiday Park where Zach and the cousins had fun playing on the playground and hiking to the river.
Saturday we hiked Happy Hollow park in the morning and had lunch at the Triple XXX. We couldn't believe that after 40 yrs in Lafayette, this was Mom's first trip to the Triple XXX. After lunch we headed home to sing for 5pm Mass and had our traditional pizza and a movie night.
Sunday the kids did their homework and we went to open gym at the park district. We bought a membership, which should come in handy this winter.

Cantigny Trip

The kids were off school Thursday and Friday for Parent Teacher Conferences. Friday Chris took them to Cantigny with some of their friends. That night we had their friends stay for a sleepover, though I would've preferred there was more SLEEPING!

Saturday we had a nice day as a family going to swim lessons, basketball, Mass and then our traditional pizza and a movie night.

Sunday the boys got haircuts and we met some friends for the Children's Theatre of Western Springs production of Bunnicula.

For being a long weekend, Monday sure came up fast.

Friendly Competition

Sunday after singing for Fr. Gallagher's 90th Birthday Mass we met some friends for tennis and frisbee golf. The kids had a great time!

Busy Saturday

-Kids Swim Lessons
-Chris cleaned gutters
-Zach's 1st Basketball practice
-Birthday Party
-Chicago Fire Playoff Game (pictured)

Halloween

The kids had a great time at their class Halloween parties on Friday. Saturday the soccer games were cancelled so we met some friends at the La Grange Halloween walk in the morning. That evening we went trick-or-treating with our usual group.
Sunday at 9:30 Mass Meg got her reconciliation candle. She will make her first reconciliation in January.

Bunch of Pumpkin Heads

On Sunday we headed down to Indy for the annual McLean pumpkin carving. Meg had a great time playing with the Spanglers. Great Grandma McLean was visiting and enjoyed watching the kids carve pumpkins and attack a pinnata.

It was a long drive home but we made it. By the time we got there Elizabeth had some hot pizza and a movie waiting for us. We love you Elizabeth/mom!

Pre Game - I Am An American!

Due to Zach being sick this was a dad & daughter and mom & son bonding weekend.

Meg and I left Elizabeth and Zach in Chicago to head to Lafayette on Saturday. It was the annual reunion game fro Grandma Chris and her college pals. We watched Purdue defeat the Illini on a dreary cold day. Afterwards we caught up, ate lasagna, and celebrating Meg's birthday. Zach and Elizabeth video conferenced in so they could enjoy everything (except the lasagna).

Day 7 - Hollywood Studios

Saturday morning we packed our bags, checked out of the hotel, and headed over to Hollywood Studios.
First stop, of course, was Toy Story Mania. Then we headed to the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. Meg was tall enough to ride so Mom and Dad each took turns riding with her. We also saw Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage and Playhouse Disney—Live on Stage.
Meg was picked to go up on stage for Jedi Training while Zach opted to just watch Meg. We got him a Jedi robe at the Star Wars shop, which wore the whole way home. He didn't take it off until he went to bed Saturday night.
Unfortunately, around 1pm we had to head back to the hotel to catch our ride to the airport. The kids decided that the plane ride home was their "last ride" of the vacation.