Christmas Part 5: A Day in the Windy City

I cannot believe it’s almost February…and I still haven’t finished posting about our mini trip to Chicago while we were on Christmas vacation in Michigan. I have always wanted to travel somewhere like New York or Chicago simply because I have never been a big city girl, nor have I ever spent much time in a big city kind of world. The hustle and the bustle of Michigan Avenue in Chicago was a culture shock to me. Michigan Avenue is also known as The Magnificent Mile…and my favorite TV show host Oprah has Harpo Studios located just minutes from where we stayed. Everywhere the eye could see…there were people…people everywhere. In Texas, when you walk down the street you make eye contact, you nod your head or say hello…right? No way, no how in Chicago…it was like out of sight out of mind…pay no attention to your neighbor on the sidewalk…just act as if they don’t exist! This was totally strange…for a born and raised Texas girl. I couldn’t get over how “unfriendly” the people seemed, but I’m sure they could get over how “overly” friendly Texans can be! Anyhow, the experience was memorable that is for sure…and I think I prefer small West Texas living any day of the week. The shopping was OVERWHELMING…every store was at least 2 or 3 stories tall…and packed to the brim with merchandise. We were only in Chicago for 24 hours so I chose only to hit the stores that are truly my favorite. I could have stayed in any one single store for a couple of hours…no doubt…but we were merely skimming the surface and moving on to the next place. The prices were a little out of my budget, but it sure was fun walking around and looking at such a beautiful city. The weather was just amazing too…it was a light fluffy snow for most of the day, but surprisingly the temperatures were not too cold. The streets and the windows were all still decked out for Christmas…and it kept the holiday spirit lingering. Here are some of my favorite shots from our whirlwing Chicago adventure :)

Mom and Penny at Starbucks...

Me and the Hubs...enjoying our favorite White Chocolate Mocha's...

Beautiful snow covered Chicago...

Where all the EXCITEMENT happens...

View from the lobby of our hotel...The Omni (where Oprah puts all of her guests!)

View from our room in the Omni...

The only picture I got of all three of us...and Aunt Penny's eyes are shut :(

One of my favorites...Forever 21...it was GIGANTIC...

Shopping Sisters...

Historic Water Tower...

Up Close...

This was a HUGE Christmas tree all lit up outside of a shopping plaza...it was so pretty all lit up while the snow fell :)

YUMMY...Chicago Pizza...

The Pizza Pie...

Pen and Mitch...

Grammy and Poppy...

Andy and Mitchel...if you are wondering where I was...I didnt get to go to Giordano's because I had a 2 year old that was being slightly out of hand...so I stayed with her in the hotel room :(

There you have it...a very quick review of our mini trip to Chicago! There are so many things that have happened between now and then...and I am so behind on blogging. Student teaching is going AWESOME...and I ADORE my cooperating teacher. I will catch you up on that just as soon as I can :)

Meet the Newest Victoria's Secret Angel...

O yea...thats what I said! My little punky pie is gonna make mama lots of money someday when she hits the covers of Victoria's Secret magazine! Ha Ha...totally kidding...but these pictures were just to darn cute...not to share. Her Daddy thinks she is a little young to be the next big thing in lingerie at the ripe old age of 2 :) These were the sweetest dress up clothes that she got for her birthday...and she was really being a little ham when she was trying it all on. That is a new "phase" we are going thru. She is loving playing dress up with lots of jewelry and tiara's, wands, snazzy handbags and cell phones! She is da-bomb-dot-com!

"What...you've never seen a naked angel before?"

Covering up the chi-chi's :)

Prissy Pants :)

Here's Jolea playing dress up with her sweet friend Jillian...

All "dolled" up...

and looking like a rockstar...

Sweet Girl Jillian...we LOVE this little girl

Best Buds...Jolea and Jilly

Speaking of buds...I have grown so fond of Jillian's precious mama...Johanna. We have so much in common and I am so blessed to have a new friend in my life! God is so Good! Its the funnest thing for the Mama's to get together and let the "kiddos" play. Good for them and Good for us! On this particular night we got to have a "Grown Ups Only Double Date Night" it was FANTABULOUS :) Thanks for the company Johanna and CJ...we look forward to having lots of fun with you guys :)

Sorry about the big pictures...I was having some "issues" with blogger...but hey whats new? I have so much more that I still need to catch up on...maybe sometime this week I can at least get our Chicago trip covered...and then I will at least be blogging about things that have actually happened in January :)

Who Knew January 18th Would Be the Best Day of My Life?

It was on this day 29 years ago that would mark one of the best days of my life. I didnt know it then, but boy-o-boy do I know it now. My sweet hubby turns 29 today and because he has been known to check out this blog; I thought I would dedicate a special post…just for him

Honey…here are just a few things that make you so special to me:

1. You are an amazing man and sometimes I forget that you don't already know that. I promise to remind you of this more often.

2. You are my best friend which sometimes makes it difficult when I want to complain to my best friend about my husband. (wink wink)

3. You are the best father that I could have ever asked for to our only daughter. The love that you show our Jolea girl makes my heart melt EVERY SINGLE DAY. And perhaps that is why she loves you so much more than she loves me right now!

4. You sacrifice so much of the things that you want so I can have the things that I want.

5. You tell me that I am beautiful even when we both know I need a shower and have seen better days.

6. And finally... there is nobody else I would want to share my life, my fears, my stresses, or my dreams with than you. The path we have taken might not be the path for everyone, but it is our path and we will make it to the end together.

Thank-you for being you and making my life better!

Join me as we take a trip down memory lane watching this sweet little boy who stole my heart...GROW

And Grow...

And Grow...

And Grow...

And Grow...

And Grow...

And finally to my favorite...the Man that you have become :)

Have a wonderful 29th honey. I love you!!

Happy Birthday Daddy...

Of all the men in the whole wide world,
Whose praises are sung out loud,

There is no man whom I respect more,

Or of whom I am more proud.

Throughout the years, you’ve worked so hard

To provide us a happy life;

You’ve been there to help and give advice,

And you did it without strife.

That is why on this day each year,

I pray all your wishes come true;

Today we celebrate your life,

So Dad, Happy Birthday to you.

 

Dear Daddy,

 

You have been my hero for a long time now...I love you, I appreciate you, I look up to you and simply put I adore you! What a blessed little girl I have been all my life to have a Daddy like you! Thank you for always working so hard to provide for us and giving us a happy life and a happy home. Thank you for loving our mother the way a real man should, and Thank you for teaching me what a responsible adult looks and acts like. I have learned more from watching you, than you will EVER know. Happy Birthday Dad...I love you!

 

My Dad...the Football Stud

My Dad the Track Stud

My Dad...My hero...My friend

~Happy Birthday With Lots and Lots of Love~

Birthday Fun and a "Duh" moment...

Happy Birthday to my Daddy, my handsome hubby and Jolea's sweet friend Chloe! What could be more fun than spending the whole weekend partying? Actually we partied early...My Daddy turns 51 tomorrow, the hubs turns 29 on Monday and our friend Chloe turned 2, or at least had her party today! What a fun weekend!

As always...we made our reservations at Perini's for some "Chuckwagon" Goondess...and it was "Delish" in every sense of the word. It cracks me up to look back on this blog and see just how many times we have eaten at Perini's over the last year! And...on top of that I always get the same thing...so even the pictures repeat themselves.

We were seated right by the fireplace this time....So NICE

Grammy and her fruity martini...YUM

The Hubs and Me...

Me and my Mama...

Its always so hard to buy for my Dad on his birthday. This year was no different and he got the "good ol Lowes card!" Its his favorite thing to get...he saves them up and then goes to buy himself something really nice. Andy on the other hand received an awesome NorthFace fleece from my sweet Aunt Penny...but I am sad to report that its too small...and I know his heart is broken too :( Maybe it will fit me :) He also got a really nice Nike football shirt...I picked it out...but Grammy bought it for him :) He doesnt get his gifts from me till its his birthday...for REAL!

Today we went to our friend Chole's birthday at Primetime. It was a Disney party...and it was lots of fun! Now, let me explain to you that Jolea kinda has this syndrome where anytime she sees a "present," no matter where we are and no matter who we are with she automatically thinks it's hers. Do any of your precious angels out there have this problem? Is there treatment? So with all that being said, we did have a teenie bit of trouble at the party, but we worked through it...and I think my little Minnie Mouse had a really good time...and so did this Mommy! Here are some pics of the sweet girls that we partied with today :)

My favorite Little Mouse...

Hands folded...patiently waiting on BROWNIES, COOKIES and CHEESE

Its Chloe...the Birthday Girl

Our Buddy Clara Girl...

Arent little girls just so precious? I did a pretty lousy job of taking pictures...so I missed several of the other kids that were there...too bad. They played and played till their hearts were content...and lucky for me, I had one pooped out little girl tonite! She was actually ready for lights out...got up, grabbed the blankeys and headed to her room. Sleep tight my little angel baby.

UGH...UGH...UGH...did I have a DUH...DUH...DUH...moment tonite! First off let me just say how much I hate going grocery shopping...YUCKORAMA...I hate it. Well tonite I knew I needed to hit Walmart because we didnt have any coffee for in the morning.

Andy+Terah-Coffee= Really Bad Things!

So I went to Walmart...looked at this...looked at that...took my time...grocery shopped and headed to the check out lane! The clerk is just scanning away as I watch the monitor price increasing with every single "beep" that goes by. I loaded all my bags into my cart...went to grab my purse...put my hand down into the purse to realize...

SHREEK...I had left my wallet at home on the computer desk!!!

I was mortified...and I had no clue what I was going to do. I mean dont get me wrong, I have done some really silly things in my life...but nothing like this! Thankfully the lady that was checking me out said we could "suspend" the transaction while I ran home to get my wally! Can you say...DUH TERAH...so I ran home, got the wally from the hubby who was standing out in the driveway laughing at me...then headed back to Walmart to get my goods :) I told them how sorry I was...and they told me it happens all the time!

Do any of you have any DUH moments that you DARE to share online? If so lets hear them!

My Last Semester of College: Student Teaching

FINALLY...its almost over, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I am almost DONE! I begin my LAST semester of student teaching starting TODAY!

I have chosen to do my student teaching at...

The principal, Mr. Brian Hunt approached me in the stands earlier this year at a football game and asked me if I would be interested in coming to Hawley for my student teaching semester. I thought to myself..."What a kind gesture" and then I thought to myself..."Since my hubs already works there...then Why Not?" So today is the first day of my last semester...and I am so THRILLED that I wont have boat loads of homework to do in the next few months. I know it will be hard work and a BUSY semester, but I welcome the oppurtunity to learn and grow. Once I graduate...I will be hitting the pavement and looking for my first job...how FUN!

Okay off to get ready for the day that lies ahead :)

Christmas Part 4: Sweet St. Joseph and Dreaming of a White Christmas

"Im Dreaming of a White Christmas...just like the ones I used to know"

Ahem....wait just a minute, I have never ever in my life seen a white christmas...but I LOVE that song, so it was fitting.

Moving on to the next leg of our Christmas adventure will take us all the way to St. Joseph Michigan and the home of Aunt Penny and Uncle Mitch. Its quite funny actually because as a kid I can remember the trips that my mom would take me on all the way to Arizona. Thats where they used to live. Arizona to Michigan...now thats quite a difference.

We left bright and early on Christmas morning...5:30 in the AM to be exact. We were all thrilled and shocked that our plane would be taking off on time, considering the blizzard that had taken place the day before. Here is a picture of Jolea enjoying her on board beverage of choice...apple juice of course :)

And here she is crashed out...and looking oh so peaceful.

We didnt have one single delay or problem during out travels on Christmas Day...and that was a blessing in itself. We flew into Chicago Midway (WAY smaller than O'Hare of course...and Thank Goodness) but we still had to rent a car...Ooops...I mean a 12 passenger van (which I totally forgot to get a picture of) it was quite FUNNY actually. Thge Budget rental car kiosk had given our mini-van to someone else and they compensated us with the Big Kahuna...it was actually NICE.

We got to Penny's on Christmas evening, just in time to enjoy a sweet and delicious meal she had prepared for us. Scrumptious honey ham, taters, green beans, rolls and MUCH more. After a long day of traveling it was nice to get a full belly. Thanks Aunt Pen for all that you did for us that week :)

Here is the table...all decked out

And the PERFECT Christmas tree that her and Mitch cut down themselves at a Christmas Tree farm...how sweet is that?

After supper it was time for PRESENTS...and Jolea was thrilled. By this late in the holiday season, she had become pretty used to the idea of getting a gift just about anywhere we went. Santa was a busy man this year...and we all got some great presents.

Here is Aunt Penny and my cousin Amber...opening their gifts from Muah...

Remember in an earlier post when I mentioned "hitting the jackpot" at Hobby Lobby with gifts? Well here they are in all their glory...

It's a product that is identical to the Scentsy burner. White for my Aunt Pen because she is so "shabby chic" and Fleur De Lis for Amber...because I just loved it and had to buy it for someone special. I think they both really liked their burners...and one of the scents that Pen burned while we were there smelled so delish.

Here is the Hubs...opening some of his gifts...

A new Fossil wallet...very Nice

And some ADORABLE undies from American Eagle (he will kill me for posting this!)

Grammy is a huge fan of the Pioneer Woman...so Jolea bought the cookbook for her...maybe we will get a hot meal out of the deal!

I got the houndstooth coat I have been waiting for, a new CHI, a sports watch and lots of other GREAT stuff. THANK YOU to everyone for a Wonderful White Christmas...I will Never forget it.

Well since we spent the whole week visiting...I have lots more to talk about.

First, allow me to introduce you to Baby Logan a.k.a Logey Bear. This is Amber's little boy, and he was such a joy, such a sweet baby while we were there. My Mom has been my lifesaver keeping Jolea and my Aunt Pen plays the same role for her sweet grandbaby...Thank Goodness for Grandmothers!

He had a minor incident with the baby powder here...ha...so cute :)

We relaxed as much as we could while we were there...and these are some of the things we did and the places we went while visiting St. Joseph.

A yummy cup of coffee to get the day started...MAN...my hair is big in this picture...it must have been the weather :)

Here we are in downtown St. Jo...it was so pretty all covered in white glistening snow and the little shops were so quaint and inviting. Typically St. Joseph is a summer time tourist spot and it is perfectly located right on beautiful Lake Michigan.

Group shot in front of the Chocolate Cafe...we had a nice lunch of soups and sandwiches...but oddly enough we didnt get anything chocolate.

Sisters...Pam and Penny...all bundled up

Mommy and Jolea at the Toy Company...Jolea was in heaven with all the sweet toys and games

Jolea and the Giant Daddy...I love this picture

Mommy and Daddy on the streets of St. Joseph...Brrr... Baby its cold outside

Me and the Hubs at the Chocolate Factory enjoying a "soul warming" lunch

This was the most adorable specialty chocolate shop that was located across the street from the Chocolate Cafe...I guess these people really like their chocolate...dont they?

Step inside Kilwins Chocolate...Aunt Penny's motto for this place was "Kilwin's Will Kill Ya" I fell in love the minute we walked through the door...

Look at those apples...Ahem...we bought one...and it was the best apple I have ever put in my mouth!

CHOCOLATE!!! CHOCOLATE...EVERYWHERE!!!

Here I am standing outside in the cold waiting to go inside...Kilwin's is also famous for their ice cream...but I couldnt bear the thought of eating ice cream when it was so cold outside...so I took a picture instead.

Here is Grammy with her gigantic chocolate covered caramel apple with nuts on top...we ALL enjoyed it...it was HUGE!

Here is Jolea girl enjoying her treat...I think she liked it...ALOT

Mommy and baby girl doing the famous "cheese face" and it freaks me out how much I think we look alike here...my smile is much gummier than hers...Ugh I hate that!

We had lots of  "snow" to enjoy and we took as many outside pictures as we could stand!

Mom and Pen...again

Family Shot...again

Silly self portrait...

Jolea goin down the slide...and by the way...this didnt end well! Face first right into the snow...and she wanted to go home after that!

Penny and Mitchell...this one is my favorite :)

Me and Andy

ME!

Daddy and Daughter...look at that grin would ya?

Mommy's Snow Angel...

She was trying to "pack" a snowball like the big people...but the snow was so fine and dusty it was hard to roll a good ball.

Penny Lynn...looks like she has a snowball ready to aim and fire!

Look at all the beautiful snow covered scenery we were blessed with!

I LOVE THIS ONE...

These pictures were from our second snow day. We were determined to build a snowman before we left Michigan...and we DID...Thanks to Andy's hard work! He was the cutest little "Frosty" ever and it was such a neat thing to share with my family!

Beautiful Blue Skies were showing on this day...the snow was sparkling and it was a perfect moment.

Daddy and his princess...

Mommy on the vintage sled...

Mommy and Jolea

Here is Daddy working on Frosty's bottom :)

The finished product

So there wasnt a corn-cob pipe or a button nose or two eyes made out of coal...but he still turned out CUTE!

His red grin was made out of hot tamales candy...clever thinking Aunt Penny :)

One night we all loaded into the van and headed to a local italian restaurant called Papa Vino's. It was comparable to Johnny Carino's and my favorite part of the meal was the bruschetta bread and the salad. They have a dressing that is to-die-for and we bought 6 bottles to bring home with us! I also enjoyed a refreshing peach bellini with Grammy! Jolea Dru was such an angel while we were eating out! I was very proud of her!

Aunt Pen and Sweet Jolea Girl...

Girls will be girls...

The 2 LOVES of my life...

The Snyder's

Mom and Daughter

What a silly kid...

Yummy Peach Bellini's

Papa Vino's salad...

Papa Vino's Bruschetta Bread...

In between our relaxing days of playing in the snow...we did a little shopping where I scored these bad boys...

At a fabulous TJ Maxx kind of price!

The boys spent one whole day here...

doing a little gambling! Andy and I are too poor for much gambling...but I think they had a GREAT time and they ate at a buffet that was out of this world!

The girls also had a date to the movies to see this...

We all really liked it...except I would have hoped for a much better ending. My Aunt Penny absolutely loves the movies, but she never has the time or the company to go with! Therefore this was my special treat to her...and I think she had a good time...I know I did!

It was a Christmas to remember...thats for sure...and there are so many things that I havent even mentioned. We dont get to see Aunt Pen very often and I really enjoyed my time with her and catching up. Her and Mitch opened up their hearts and their home to us this holiday season and we are so Thankful for the memories we got to make. Jolea may never see snow like that again...but we will always have these pictures to remind her!

This trip is still far from over...up next...a day in Chicago on the Magnificent Mile! Stay Tuned!