Christmasy Fun & Remembering Oma Bosch

We've been keeping plenty busy round here. I get this urge to incorporate as many Christmasy festivities into our life as possible around this time of year. This year that meant voyaging out to White Fence Farm. If you're not from here for Chicago, you know not of this phenomenon. It's a sprawling land of farm animals, outdoor and indoor playgrounds that amaze even the adult folk, stores to shop in and the best fried chicken to be found in the state. The wait time was over an hour, but the random activities available kept us plenty busy. Our friends Joe, Michelle and Izzy joined us in discovering this treasure. We all walked away feeling like Grandma had cooked us up a fine dinner and were impressed with the overall outcome of the evening.

 What seems like our 15th trip to see Santa.  He was conveniently hanging out with no line, so Dude took full advantage.  Without even asking permission.  He is, once again, asking for "Dumbo."

 The rock star playground.  They didn't care that it was 29 degrees.  No time for being cold.

Next was our annual Syers night o fun.  This year they hosted us in their newish house, which was just lovely.  By lovely I mean 5 kids running, screaming, tackling, whining, crying, laughing, giggling, eating, drinking, spilling, tackling some more, opening gifts, eating wrapping paper, climbing....you get the idea.  We embrace the chaos.  However, at 6:00 we handed the little rascals off to 2 high school girls, said a loud and exuberant "SEEE YA" and dined at our favorite Italian spot.  Just the 4 of us big people.  It was perfection. 

 Clothes for Squirt, Mama's favorite gift.

 Lando got some big boy shoes since he's cruising around like a 2 year old. 

 Drum roll please....Dude is opening......DUMBO!!!!!!  His greatest Christmas desire. 

 We bought PR & Brady capes to match Dudes.  We LOVE this gift idea.  Thanks to our bud Avery for starting the tradition with ours!

Following dinner I headed to the airport to pick up my Mama, who came to town last minute for the funeral services of our dear Oma Bosch.  She passed away last week at the amazing age of 94, the very same day that her granddaughter Abby and grandson Mark had their 3rd baby boy, Brooks.  Its been a sad week of remembering one of the most humble, genuine, caring, gracious women I will ever know.  And I've been privileged to know her my whole life.  Never a bad word about anyone, never a complaint, never a day unappreciated and always a smile and a "thank you".  She was a gem and her memory makes me look hard at myself and what people will say about me when I'm gone.  Certainly not all those things.  But I can work on it.  And in Oma's memory, I'm going to do my best. 

 Dude loved sitting with Oma B, helping her choose egg colors for our annual egg hunt at Easter.  She was the head of the games for as long as I can remember.

What a beauty, inside and out.  We'll miss you Oma!