Christmas Time in Illinois

Given Sofia’s disdain for long car rides, we decided to fly to Chicago. We also decided to try out our new portable DVD player and bought an Elmo “Country Songs Special” and Barney “Musical Scrapbook” DVD for the occasion. Sofia did as well as could be expected, alternating between squirming on my lap and Joe’s and shredding the in-flight magazine. She liked the Elmo DVD, when they sang, but was very impatient when there was “too much talking.” Thankfully it’s a short flight.

Overall, Christmas was hectic, as usual, trying to spend as much time as possible with both sides of the family and trying to squeeze in time with friends as well. We did manage to visit Woodfield Mall to spy on Santa in the hopes Sofia might agree to have her picture taken with him. She declined, but here’s a shot of her, at the mall, in her adorable red wool coat.



Friends

Joe and I hung out with friends the first night. I met up with Rosy, Ale, her sister Gabby, Allison and Sara at Adobo Grill in Wicker Park. Joe got pretty intoxicated (thanks, guys!) with Beedon and Keegan. Arling was stuck in LA (he was to have met up with the guys that night), but came over for dinner a few days later.

Here are the girls…Gabby, Ale and Rosy pose:


And Allison, Sara and me:


A few days later, Sofia, my parents and I visited Ale and her boys at their home. The boys are adorable and getting big! Mati is 2 ½ years old and Emi (whom I finally met!) is about 8 months old. Mati shared his toys with Sofia and Serge and Ale fed us Giordano’s. I miss Chicago pizza!!








Here Serge and Ale try to juggle three:


Family
We juggled Christmas Eve between my brother’s, Joe’s family’s and my parents. We had brunch at my brother’s Luis and enjoyed the kids opening their gifts.

We tried getting the kids to pose…Sofia doesn’t seem to like the paparazzi.















And then we tried a family photo. Sofia likes to wiggle.


She finally sat still with the grandparents.




After my brother’s we went to Joe’s uncle Gary’s home. Here Sofia enjoys time with Uncle Steve.



Sofia enjoyed being tickled by Granny:




And Grandpa Joe and Papa Joe:




We visited with my brother’s daughter Aurora on Christmas Day.



Aurora playing with Rudolph.

Cousins Keira and Brendan came over a few days later. Sofia and Keira played together and shared their toys.


The girls "catch up" on girl talk


The girls share baby duties.

Here Sofia gets to know her newest cousin, Brendan.