Sesame Street Live!

We had front row seats at the Rialto - although we were as far to the left as you could go. Ryan loved the show and Mom was amazed at how the characters dance and dance in those big, hot costumes. Ryan's first "show" and Mom/Dad's first time at the Rialto.

Jump Zone

On Mom's day off, we went to the Jump Zone with the cousins.

Abby and Ryan had fun in the Sesame Street jumpy.


And Jack was flying in the jumpy that looked like a bumble gum machine.


Abby and Ayden went down the big Spider Man slide.


Ryan, Logan (visiting from FL), Abby with Ryleigh, Matthew, Ayden and Jack


Ryan, the red-nosed kid. He took a spill out of the jumpy and got a strawberry on his nose!

A Visit from Santa

When we got home from Gram/Poppy's house, Santa visited our house! And Ryan got some presents from Mom & Dad too.

Here's a baseball lamp for Ryan's big boy room, which we're going to paint this winter. Dad didn't think this was a very exciting gift for a little boy, but Ryan seemed to like it.


And a remote control car from Santa!


And more Thomas stuff from Santa!..... he tore off the paper in a blur!

Merry Christmas!

We traveled over the river and through the sleet to Gram & Poppy's house for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Uncle Chris, Aunt Leslie and Cousin Sarah came for Christmas Eve. We opened presents and Gram made a big dinner.

Ryan was excited to get the Thomas Roundhouse from Gram/Poppy! Now all the trains have somewhere to take a night-night.

And he got some new pants! He wanted to try them on immediately.

And there were lots of treasures in his stocking - including Stanley, a new train!

And Madge...a truck which can carry trains on her bed (yes, it's a girl truck!). Ryan actually misplaced Madge before we left Gram and Poppy's house and even though Dad looked high and low, we had to leave her there. But Gram to the rescue - she located Madge the next day!

Christmas Day was quiet and relaxing. Dad built another gingerbread train and the North Ridge Depot to go with it!

More Christmas Fun

Visiting Santa at Fox Valley Mall

Making cookies with Mom.

These sprinkles are fun!

We better try one and make sure they're ok.....

Building a gingerbread train with Dad.

Christmas at Uncle Jeff/Aunt Steph's house before Grandma/Grandpa went to Arizona. Grandma, Grandpa, Great G'ma Sheila, Great G'ma Murr, and Alex were there. Alex has a Lionel electric train that's really cool!

Polar Express at Blackberry Farm

Ryan was so excited to ride on the Po-wa Eh-spres. Blackberry Farm was lit up with all sorts of Christmas lights, including the train! We even got a gold ticket that the conductor punched. Dad found it ironic that we had to wait in line for an hour to take one loop on the train, but on an 80 degree summer day, you can ride as many times as you want. Ryan endured the wait and enjoyed the ride on the Polar Express.

Here's the line leading to the station to catch the train.


Here comes the train! - it's decorated for Christmas!


Dad and Ryan on the train.

Tiger Club Christmas Party

No tears this year!....when all the cousins saw Santa, I mean. Last year most of them were at the age where they were scared of Santa. Things went much better this year.

Here's Jack, Ryan, Abby & Matthew

The Springborn family...Angie, Abby & Doug

And the Anderson family....Sarah, Jack, Matthew and Josh