Happy New Year! Part II

Christmas in Ohio City

As has been our yearly tradition we spend most of the Christmas break in Chicago, but this year, instead of dragging the girls' gifts to Chicago, we had an early Christmas Day.

The girls pose in their new PJs and robes.

Opening a bag full of goodies they have to share.

Val gave the girls a box of princess high heels.

Road Trip!

After "Christmas Day" opening gifts we joined Alta to celebrate her birthday on our way out of town to Chicago. 

 Here Fiona shows off her favorite expression while playing house with Sophie.

Christmas in Chicago included a trip to the Walnut Room at Marshall Field's to see the beautiful tree and magical window displays.

Abi, Tia Diana and the girls visit the Nativity Scene at Daley Plaza.

We spent Christmas Eve at my brother Luis' home, along with my parents, aunt, grandmother, Elaine's parents, her brother's family, aunt/uncle and grandma.  The kids had a great time playing, making art projects and generally running around.  The adults played charades and chatted.

Time for gifts at cousins' house.

The great-grandkids pose with Bisabi (great-grandma).

Christmas Day was spent at the Boyds'.  Joe suggested jamming and the kids sang Christmas carols and shook maracas, while Joe played trumpet, Brian played guitar and Nola played the piano.  I was on camera duty.

Elaine's Christmas gift was organizing a photo shoot of all the cousins and extended Polanco family.  I took a renegade photo of the photo shoot.

What may become an annual tradition, we rode the Metra train to "Toot Toots", a diner in Glen Ellyn that serves the train on a train that arrives at the booth via railroad tracks.  We went last year and Sofia asked to go back this year.

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Nana Boyd sewed matching dresses for the girls and a vest for Brendan.  We set up a makeshift photo session.

We spent New Year's Eve at my parents at an impromptou party.  The kids enjoyed more time with their cousins and all the great food and music.

Fiona dances with my dad.

Just a cute pic of Fiona.  But doesn't she look older?

Papa Joe and Fiona snuggle.

Random Photo

Shortly before we left for Chicago Joe decided Fiona was ready for a "big girl" bed.  I wasn't so sure, but he went ahead and converted the crib to a toddler bed.  Fiona loved it and so far it seems to be going well.

My next post will be "party" pics of Rosy's birthday and Joe's wild bowling bash.