Ice-skating with Daddy

Morgan's first experience standing on skates, and she did a really good job.

She hung onto daddy slipping and sliding around with the occasional skating action in there.

I'm not sure who's idea it was for Morgan to be carried... Was Morgan tired, or were Ben's arms and back tired of her hanging on him? but she got to go around at least once a little faster. Until the ice ring guy said Ben couldn't hold her. (safety thing...?)

All in all don't they look good out there on skates! :) Wish I had good enough balance with this Huge pregnant belly to join them!

Aunt Abby's visit

Abby came all the way from Singapore just to see us! (well for the first week anyway) It was so good to see her! But the poor girl had to endure our freezing cold weather and a 2-yr-old's energy while adjusting time zones...

We dragged her to the field museum where Morgan ran around saying look at this... and look at that... I think she had a good time. I know We did.

We also, went shopping, sledding and down town.

I got a fun video of Ben, Morgan and Abby sledding but sadly I can't get it to work on here.

It was a lot of fun having Abby around.

Morgan sure misses her now that she's gone!

Gingerbread house

Ben brought home a gingerbread house kit for us to make this year. He explained it to Morgan as a house you can eat! Sounded great as far as she was concerned!

She then had to be explained that we had to build the house first. She was really good and patient while I figured out the directions.

And put all the walls and roof together.

She was happier though when we pulled out the candy decorations! I'm not sure if they used more on the house or eat more... But she did a really good job! (and so did Ben)

Then when it was finished she wasn't very happy when she was told she couldn't eat it right away! Can you tell by the face she's making?

Finally a few days later Morgan got her wish... we "eat" the gingerbread house. Well, what we could anyway. I don't think we've ever been so sick!! Most of the house found it's way to the trash.

Cookie Time

Morgan and I baked Cookies! We slaved in the kitchen for hours and hours and hours.......

Or maybe we just opened premade cookie dough and stuck it on the pan. :)

But who can argue when they taste great and you get a look like this from your daughter?

Christmas decorating

As soon as we could pull our act together after getting back from our fun Thanksgiving vacation, we got out our Christmas Decorations!

Morgan enjoyed checking them out and discovering what to her were new toys to run around with.

Ben did most of the work this year! Morgan tried to help, I just sat on the couch and "encouraged".

I bet Ben really appreciated our prelit tree this year!!

Tree made it up! Ornaments even!

I'm so thankful for Ben who did most of the work! (not in our pictures, lights up out side, and fun decorations around the rest of the house!)

Monkey Joe's!

While we were in Florida we made a wonderful discovery! There's this place called Monkey Joe's! And they even have some in Chicago land! We are going to have to find them!

Morgan got to bounce, jump, slide, fall, and be crazy in all the bouncy houses they had there

(and there were a lot!).

This one was her favorite! She went down that slide over and over and over for about 1/2 hr! Then she took a short break and tried others only to come back to this one again.

Ben got to play too! He played air hockey for about 2 seconds. I'm surprised I got a picture before she founds something else to do.

Ben got to go in the bouncy houses with Morgan as her "assist". I'm pretty sure it was more of an excuse than an assist!

This next one was a huge challenge for Morgan! She climbed up with enthusiasm and then got stuck up at the top for quite a while, too nervous to slide down.

She then slid down only because the stairs got blocked and she couldn't climb down. I have never seen her cheeks so red!! Needless to say she went back to the other small yellow slide after that.

She did other things there when she needed a jumping break including: pretending to drive...

Hugging Monkey Joe...

and hitting mice...

I think Ben eventually got tired as well!

And then the ride back to Grandma and Poppop's.

We had a really fun morning with her there! Not sure she could have lasted all day.

Thanksgiving and Florida Fun!

Turkey Day! Finally here!

Thanksgiving food was definitely one of the foods I have craved the most being pregnant! Now to eat as much as I can before it's all gone.

Ben's Mom made a delicious turkey with all the fixings! I helped with the mashed potatoes and Ben made the stuffing. Yummy Thanksgiving food, worthy of giving thanks!

Morgan was pretty excited as well! I mean a plate full of mashed potatoes couldn't get any better, except when you add gravy, and cranberries on the side.

But Before we could eat we got to enjoy some Florida fun! We were able to walk around a beautiful lake (name? that's pregnancy brain for you!)

Morgan got to play on the play ground with Poppop! I think she convinced him to swing her for at least 20 minutes or longer.

oh yeah, Ben joined in on the fun too.

We also went on a boat cruise and enjoyed the sun shine while getting to see some beautiful sights and homes.

Fun times!