Family, friends, food and fun

Let me start by saying I didn't nearly take as many photos as I had planned over the holidays. But I did get a couple of group shots and a few present opening shots. We left on the 18th of December and flew into Chicago. We got to visit with the O'Tooles in Chicago and stayed on Michigan Avenue (Priceline is always good to us!). The next morning we headed down to Milford to visit with the Anderson side of the family. Hannah got to help build her first snowman while we were there. We got to visit with the Mitchells (Phil, Katrina, Molly, Noah and Caleb) and spend some time with Great Grandma Lillian. Hannah ran around the house yelling for "Poppy" better known as Grandpa and had fun bathtime with Grandma Diane. She also practiced saying Jonny Mo for her Uncle Jon. Dan and Andy also went out to the pasture to spread Ruby's ashes - we know she always loved it there and loved playing in the water...it seemed more fitting than CT. We also got to touch base with Nathan and got to meet Clay's twins.

Checking each other out

In her new Elmo backpack

On to Kalamazoo to visit the Olson side of the family. Hannah loved playing hide and seek with her cousins Ayden and Aria. She enjoyed puzzles and coloring with Grandma and got to spend some time with Uncle Bil and Aunt Gretchen. We attempted to get a photo of the three kids but Hannah was having nothing to do with it. We still ordered a photo with Ayden and Aria nicely smiling and Hannah crying in the middle...maybe we will have better luck next year. We also got to visit some friends while in town: the Prescotts (who shared the fun of Wii with us and fulfilled our need for Schwarma King), Michele (who made time to see us even though life was hectic), the Thorntons (we got to meet new baby Izzy and see how much Mak has grown), the Whitneys, Jess (for a cup of coffee before she and Todd headed upnorth) and Nabil (who had just gotten back from visiting his dad). I did get my wishes of Jimmy John's and Qdoba and also managed to squeeze in a funny taco at Taco Bob's.

If it isn't one CLOWN, it is ANOTHER!

We stayed our final night in Chicago before our flight. Priceline once again did us proud with a nice hotel with a great view AND it was only three blocks from West Egg Cafe, a great breakfast place.

We were all happy to get home and sleep in our own beds. Hannah could not get enough of her toys once she got home...