What's Cooler Than Being Cool?...ICE COLD!! (Trip to Chicago & 1st Thanksgiving)

Back in July while we were visiting my parents, they said "What do you guys think about having our family Thanksgiving in Chicago?" It took Reagan and I less than a second to jump on that opportunity. It had been almost 18months since we had been back...way too long!!

We stayed with our friends the Mikitka's while we were in the city. I lived with them for about a month before we got married so it felt just like the old days...only now Reagan and I have an amazing son and Jeff & Katie have 2 adorable twin girls (Ainsley & Amelia). We all had an absolute blast!! The kids were worn out every night from playing all day long and the "adults" had a great time catching up. Reagan really enjoyed spending the days with Katie going to a Bible Study, playing at the park, and getting their nails done!! Jeff and I wanted to make sure the girls had plenty of time to talk each night so we got in a few dozen games on PlayStation.

Amelia & Ashton

Ashton, Ainsley & Amelia

One night while in town we were able to catch up with the Thomas' for dinner. JT and I had been roommates during the year leading up to his wedding and we've stayed good friends ever since. They have 2 cute little girls too. Marcella is going on 3 this spring and Liliana is a couple of months younger than Ashton. Needless to say, Ashton got to play with a bunch of beautiful ladies while he was in town!!

Marcella, Ashton, & Liliana

One random thought...On our way to JT & Renee's, Ashton got to take his first cab ride (see picture below). It's funny, I lived in Chicago for over 6 years and never once did I give a thought to how you take a baby in a cab. I guess my life & perspective has changed (in a good way) since then!!

Ashton's 1st Cab Ride

On Wednesday morning my parents fought the traffic into the city and picked us all up to drive down to my sister Lisa's to spend the holiday with her family in Bloomington. You can imagine the traffic after they picked us up wasn't much better heading out of the city either! I didn't mind the drive because it had been a while since we had all seen my parents. Ashton was quite taken with them!! We finally made our way down to Bloomington and had a great couple of days with Lisa, David & Lauryn. The food was amazing and the nap afterward was pretty darn good too! It was really nice to just hang out with my parents and sister's family to relax and catch up.

Aunt Lisa Giving Ashton Some Love!!

Enjoying his 1st Thanksgiving Dinner...Cheerios & Squash

Cousin Lauryn helped with Bath Time after Thanksgiving Dinner

After a great Thanksgiving, our entire family made our way back to the city to spend Friday and Saturday enjoying the Christmas Season in Chicago. There really isn't anything like walking down Michigan Ave. with all of the Christmas lights and checking out all of the shops. After a long day of walking around shopping (fortunately not buying!), we all went out and had one of the best steak dinners I've had in quite a while.

While we were shopping I realized again how quickly living in the south had turned my blood thin. The 30degree weather was one thing, but the wind whipping off that lake sure made me wonder how I ever made it though a winter up there!! I thought back to the night before we left when I said to Reagan, "just take your fleece, you'll be fine!" Fortunately my sister was nice enough to loan her a ski jacket, hat and gloves or I would have been in a bit of trouble!!

All Bundled Up for the COLD Windy City!!

Heading back to the Hotel after a Long Day

Grandmommy & Ashton...Quality Time

Saturday was a quick breakfast, a few minutes of the Michigan State vs. Penn State game (BIG 10 CHAMPS!!), and off to the airport. As we were sitting in the airport, Reagan and I both commented on how truly blessed we are to have such great friends and family. We will remember Ashton's 1st Thanksgiving and our trip to Chicago for a very long time.

Wiped Out!!!