Winter Wonderland!

I'm back...blogging again...

Today the Evenson/Grass "crew" headed into the city via the "choo-choo train" and went to the "Winter Wonderland" at Navy Pier. If you haven't been, and have little ones, it is just a great "festive" activity to do with the entire family! It surely makes you feel like "Christmas!" There are jumpy things all over, cookie decorating, slides, train rides, indoor ice-skating, jugglers, theme park rides and so much more! Of course, the kids had a ball, and Ben who's 10 said, "They really ought to make more things for us older kids!" "We like to jump in the jumpy things, too, and pelt balls at each other!" It was just a relaxed, silly, fun day! We needed a little "quiet" break so we headed to the very classy restaurant named Riva. It overlooks Lake Michigan and all the big boats. It was a wonderful peaceful place to eat!! By this time, Fayth was getting a bit tired but she was still doing well. REMEMBER...it's day 7 and we are still trying to adjust our bodies...however; she ate like a "hog" and couldn't wait to get back to the festival. After our lunch we headed back for some more fun in the Winter Wonderland & then walked through the inside of Navy Pier to catch a cab. This is where Fayth fell DEAD A** asleep on Jon's shoulders...it was just hysterical. She had a ball but it was definitely time for a nap!! Can't wait to scrapbook these photos! Then we taxied over to Michigan Avenue to hit NIKE TOWN for the boys of course!! Papa and Jon picked up hats (what else is new) and then we headed to ZARA!!! For those of you who are my Dubai friends, you KNOW I LOVE ZARA and have been complaining we don't have one in the Midwest...Well, recently opened...we now have one in "my neck of the woods" on Michigan Avenue in the city! We made a pit-stop there, I spent my birthday money from Gammy & Papa (got two super cute tops) and then went back to the train station, just in time, to buy Garrett's Popcorn, sodas, Jamba Juice, Auntie's Pretzels, lemonade, Miss Fields Cookies, and more for the train ride home!!! It happened to be a perfectly Wonderful Winter Wonderland!! Can't wait to do it all again another year!!!

Thanks!!!

YES...another blog...Thanks Miss Dana and Max (Alan, too, of course)...I ABSOLUTELY LOVED OUR MATCHING TOPS AND SO DID ALL THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AND PILOTS ON OUR TRIP HOME!! Have a wonderful Christmas...and again, THANKS!! Too stinkin' cute!! Our "look" even got us up in the cockpit!! Fayth thought that was too cool!! I'll be having a great scrapbook page for these photos!! Merry HO HO!!

Lovin' the Snow...

I wasn't going to blog while we were home...but I just had too!! This is mainly for our Dubai friends that are at home hanging out on the beaches!! Our first few days home have involved a lot of fun in the snow NOT (fun in the sun)!! We've gone for walks, made snow angels, gone sledding, had snowball fights, and even made our little "fam of 3" out of snow!! It has been pure bliss for Fayth!! Papa Tom repaired the sleds & toboggan and Gramie bought full "Arctic" attire for Fayth...what does all this equal...my galpal with smiles ear to ear! Her favorite winter activity...eating the SNOW!!! We know all of our Midwestern friends have been doing the same...but for our Dubai friends...you'll have to live through the photos and ,"Oh, how fun it has been!"

Merry Christmas

http://www.dancingsantacard.com/?santa=1215798

We wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season...filled with love, laughter, and lots of cookies!! May 2010 bring you loads of happiness. Please check out our Christmas card at the above link. Merry Christmas!

Christmas X 3

Saturday was spent "celebrating x-mas" with Fayth's 3 best friends. We started out having breakfast with Max, Dana and Alan at our place. The kids exchanged gifts, Dana brought breakfast to us, and Fayth was in heaven. She LOVED her princess craft book filled with crown making, wand constructing and so much more...we spent our "down time" during the day completing lots of the things the book had to offer. She also LOVED her Hello Kitty, eco-friendly, water bottle. She's been peeing all day because she loves using her new canteen!! It was a great morning!!

Then, late afternoon, our "Carnival on the Lawn" got canceled due to the rain so Crue, Miss Cara, and Craig stopped over for awhile so the kids could exchange gifts. Fayth was in heaven receiving two awesome books, Barbie and Belle, and a GORGEOUS pair of 18 carat white gold earrings with pink gemstones. She loved them both and can't wait to try out her new earrings. Her gammy bought her the special pearl earrings, she's had since birth, and we've never changed them. They have matched everything, had special meaning, and have been so sweet in her ears...So now, we will "brave the waters" and give the new pretty pink ones a try!! It was a fun time exchanging with Crue and he loved his new truck book!

Finally, the evening ended with a walk to "The Palace" hotel with our friends Ry Ry, KellyAnne and Glenn. We headed over for a free festive evening of carolers, tree lighting, and a surprise visit from Santa!! It is a very prestigious hotel, in downtown Burj Dubai, and was decorated beautifully. Moms, Dads, strollers and kids were everywhere. We all had the same idea...FREE, FESTIVE, FUN!!! We coordinated to get there early, get a good seat, and allow the kids to exchange their presents at the hotel. Fayth was spoiled once again!! She got a HUGE Barbie veterinarian set, Barbie lip gloss, and a cutie Hello Kitty candy & sticker dispenser. We were given hot mulling spiced wine and yummy treats! Candles were lit everywhere and it was really nice. We joined in the singing, watched the lighting of the tree, saw Santa make his guest appearance. Then we got the "heck outta there" and headed for some Gelato at Souk Al Bahar! It was a picture perfect Christmas in Dubai with our best buds!! Fayth was digging "all the presents!" Lastly, I must tell you...from KA... I got the coolest gift...from Kikki. K...it is a binder for "My Dream House!" The best part...I've been cutting out pictures, furniture, counter tops, etc...for years and years...and NOW I HAVE AN AWESOME BINDER TO ORGANIZE IT ALL...labels and everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Right up my alley...organization!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've always loved looking in the store window at Kikki. K. thinking "that's how I want my future home office." Well, now I have a binder to get me started!!

TO all of our friends...thank you for a wonderful Saturday filled with laughs, love, and good cheer not to mention fabulous gifts!!