p.s. Sorry Uncle Jason

Don't know why you got cut off in the picture below but I don't know how to fix it! If you click on the picture you can see the whole thing. 

A Christmas Story, Part 1

We’re back from Florida and you won’t even believe how much stuff I have to blog about. So much, in fact, I need to start by telling you about things that happened before we even left Illinois!! I had such a great first Christmas. I guess I was a pretty good boy this year because Santa was very good to me! I’m so excited about all my new toys, books, and clothes. Thanks to everyone for all my presents! I know Mom and Dad really enjoyed being home in Florida and visiting with everyone. They miss you all and can’t wait to come back soon.

Now, on with my news. First, I promised news from before we left. The day before we left for Florida, the three of us headed down to the city to meet up with some friends who were in town for the weekend. Despite a big snowstorm the night before we were able to make it down to Navy Pier for Winter WonderFest, where there were tons of rides and slides and stuff.

 We all went on a train ride:

I also went on the Ferris wheel with Mom and Dad—a real, big people Ferris wheel. We were so high up!!! I also loved sliding down the slides with Mom and Dad. Here are Dad and I atop North Pole Mountain: 

And then coming down:

We had a great time visiting with Mark & William at Navy Pier, but we were all a little anxious because the very next day was FLORIDA DAY!!!!  We escaped Illinois in between snowstorms and counted our blessings that we were able to get out.

 We spent the first few days of our trip at Yia Yia’s house. Yia Yia had some cool toys waiting for me:

I had a great time exploring Yia Yia’s house, especially the playroom. Yia Yia and Pappou even let me sleep in their room!! (Mom and Dad say thanks for that, by the way).  I was a great helper on our trip. Here I am helping Yia Yia wrap presents:

The first night at Yia Yia’s house we went to a very special party. A Chanukah party!! My cousin Caitlyn’s mom and grandparents are Jewish so they celebrate Chanukah each year. At the party we ate yummy Chanukah food like potato latkes and listened to the story of Chanukah. Caitlyn did a great job reading the prayers. Dad learned how to play the dreidel game. I even got some Chanukah presents. What a great thing it was to learn about and help to celebrate Chanukah!!

On Christmas Eve lots of people came over to celebrate with us.  Here are some pictures of our family before church that night:

After church, we went home to open presents. Knowing that Santa would be very busy that night, I decided to give him some help from Snurgle Claus:

I got lots of great things that night like a toy guitar and a red rocket for me to ride on! Mom and Dad say they also got some great stuff, most especially their new Ipod Touches from Yia Yia. Thanks again for all my great stuff, everyone!

By the end of night I was pretty tired so Mom and Dad and I packed up and headed for Grammie’s house where we spent Christmas and the remainder of our trip. 

I’ll blog about that and all the cool stuff Santa brought me in my next post. So check back and have a Happy New Years!

Happy Christmas to All!!!

Did you know those are the actual words to end The Night Before Christmas? (i.e. not "Merry Christmas...") Mom and I have been reading it and she has been noticing how a lot of the words we generally think we know are a little different in the original text. 

Our family is getting ready to go to Florida for Christmas. Mom and Dad say this trip could not come at a better time because we are COLD!!!! We had a big snow storm on Tuesday and Mom had to drive through it. She did great, though. We are looking forward to another storm tonight. Yikes!

I went to visit Santa Claus at the mall the other day. Mom and Dad told me all about Santa before we went and I really liked him. The picture isn't very good of me but Mom says she was just glad I didn't freak out!

I probably won't post anything else until we get back home after Christmas. I hope everyone has a great Christmas. I know mine will be. It's my first!!!

...and to all a goodnight!!!

Grammie, come back!! We miss you!!!

Grammie came to visit me this weekend. Her visit was way too short but we had a great time while she was here.  No worries, though, because I'm going to see her again in only 12 days when we go to Florida for Christmas!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a super Thanksgiving and thought a lot about what they're thankful for. We went to Minnesota for a few days and had a great time. I tasted lots of yummy Thanksgiving food like turkey, cranberries, dressing, and sweet potatoes. Dad even gave me a bite of pumpkin pie! (And I liked it, too.) 

Hey you know what I'm thankful for? Everyone who reads my blog! I especially like hearing about my readers who are friends of Mom and Dad (Hi Erin! Hi Eva! Hi Ann!). I hope everyone enjoys reading my blog as much as I like telling the stories and taking pictures. Speaking of pictures, here are a few pictures from our trip to Minnesota!

Thanksgiving morning:

Our family before Thanksgiving dinner:

Uncle Jason and I getting pumped for the Vikings game:

Clearly, my cuteness helped spur the Vikings to a decisive victory: