THANKSGIVING in DALLAS
Sam and I spent Thanksgiving this year in Dallas with his sister Chloe, her husband Tyler, and their new little baby Kellen.
Is he adorable, or what? This little cutie was even born on my birthday, so I am extra partial to him.
Chloe humored me and dressed him in this little hat I knit for him.
This was the first Thanksgiving dinner Chloe and I ever made, so we were proud of ourselves that EVERYTHING turned out. There was sure a lot of food for the 4 of us.
One afternoon we took a picnic / walk around a local lake. (I don't remember the name, but it was pretty.)
We also visited the place where JFK was shot.
BEARS FOOTBALL GAME in CHICAGO
Sam got his Christmas present early this year - he got to go to a Chicago Bears football game LIVE in CHICAGO. This has always been a dream of his, and it was fun to watch him as his dream came true. I don't think I've ever seen him more excited. Just look at him. That big happy smile tells all.
While we were in Chicago we took a day to do some sightseeing too.
We checked out the Navy Pier.
And of course we had to take a walk down Michigan Avenue - Chicago's Magnificent Mile.
(This picture of the Omni Hotel is for my mom, because "Guests of the Oprah Winfrey show stay at the Omni Hotel, in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile!" -I love you, Mom!)
Sam's favorite part of the Magnificent Mile was the Dunkin Donuts.
He LOVES Dunkin Donuts, and they don't have one in KC, so getting a donut was must!
And a trip to Chicago wouldn't be complete without seeing the famous Chicago Bean, or whatever this thing is!
(Our reflection in the bean.)
We also visited the Museum of Science and Industry.
The museum had a special "Christmas Around the World" exhibit. This tree is the tree to signify England.
It's hard to read the plaque, so this is what it says.
"In England Father Christmas fills stockings or pillowcases with gifts for children. Youngsters pop open Chirstmas crackers filled with chocolate golf coins or a trinket to signify good fortune. English tables overflow with dishes including mince pie, Christmas cake and Christmas pudding. The first Christmas card is said to have been sent from England in 1843."
Now I know why Sam's family has some of the Christmas traditions they do. I can't want for the Christmas crackers and mince pies!
This is the only picture I got with my friend Stephanie.
Thanks again Stephanie (and Ben) for letting us come and stay with you and for showing us a good time. We had a BLAST!!!
A SURPRISE GETAWAY for SAM
I LOVE surprises. I love getting surprises, and I love planning surprises.
Sam was getting a bit overwhelmed with everything on his plate, so a couple of weeks ago I planned a surprise night away for us.
I picked him up that night from work and blindfolded him. He was a good sport to stay blindfolded on our way to the.....
GREAT WOLF LODGE!
The indoor waterpark at the lodge was AWESOME. Whoever said this place was meantfor kids was way wrong.
Is he adorable, or what? This little cutie was even born on my birthday, so I am extra partial to him.
This was the first Thanksgiving dinner Chloe and I ever made, so we were proud of ourselves that EVERYTHING turned out. There was sure a lot of food for the 4 of us.
One afternoon we took a picnic / walk around a local lake. (I don't remember the name, but it was pretty.) 
We also visited the place where JFK was shot.
While we were in Chicago we took a day to do some sightseeing too.
And of course we had to take a walk down Michigan Avenue - Chicago's Magnificent Mile.
(This picture of the Omni Hotel is for my mom, because "Guests of the Oprah Winfrey show stay at the Omni Hotel, in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile!" -I love you, Mom!)
Sam's favorite part of the Magnificent Mile was the Dunkin Donuts. 
And a trip to Chicago wouldn't be complete without seeing the famous Chicago Bean, or whatever this thing is!
(Our reflection in the bean.)
The museum had a special "Christmas Around the World" exhibit. This tree is the tree to signify England.
It's hard to read the plaque, so this is what it says. 
This is the only picture I got with my friend Stephanie. 
GREAT WOLF LODGE!
The indoor waterpark at the lodge was AWESOME. Whoever said this place was meantfor kids was way wrong. 
