Zoo Lights and Windows!

After our third attempt to making it downtown to see the Christmas windows at Macy's, the weather finally cooperated. Our family visits the window displays and Zoo Lights every year and for the past few years we have been going with Aunt Rita and Uncle JP.

This year the Christmas story that was on display was rather unusual, in fact no one really understood the storyline! It was about a Christmas tale in a futuristic city, we think!
After the windows we stop to see the City's gigantic Christmas tree in Daley's Plaza! We love smelling the wonderful scents of pine! Then, we head over to Lincoln park soon for the awesome light displays and a quick dinner. This year they had two cool Christmas light shows, the lights flickered to the music! By the seals' tank, there were two rows of Christmas Trees that were lit up with different colored lights that flickered to music being sung by a choir, so it looked like a choir of singing trees! It was very cool!

Each year we stop by the ice sculptures. Unfortunately, the men who carve the ice had just finished, so we only got to see the finished product not actually see them carve the ice. Each ice sculpture was beautiful! I wonder what I could make out of an ice cube?

Until next year...

Have a Happy New Year!!!

A Hammy Christmas, part 2

On Saturday we celebrated Christmas at Papa Bob and Nana's house with all of our Aunts, Uncles and Great-Grandma Miller.

We spent the entire day, playing with each other, with all 3 dogs, eating a yummy dinner and of course opening more presents!
Amelia is becoming an expert at ripping open presents that she is lending her new found skill with Nana as she opened one of her gifts.

Auntie Rita and Uncle JP bought me my very first pair of real hockey skates! I can't wait to go skating for the first time. Daddy is going to take me to get pads, gloves and a helmet so we can hit the rink ASAP!
Thanks again Uncle JP and Auntie Rita!

Now, it is time for a nap!

Christmas Day

After we made a quick stop by Nana and Papa Bob's house to wish them a Merry Christmas, we hopped the fence and spent our Christmas Day with Grandma Judy and Papa.

Uncle Jim and I are just taking a little rest before we open more presents!

Grandma Judy and I are playing one of my new games she and Papa gave me. This is a cool ducky game that we were playing together. We were looking for matching shapes hidden under the duck's belly.
Thanks for a wonderful Christmas and a delicious Christmas dinner Papa and Grandma Judy!

Christmas Morning

"Look! The cookies are all gone!"

Santa left us a special note!

Oh cool! My own tool work bench!

"Hot Cross Buns!"

What else might there be in my stocking?!

This thing rocks! There is so many things to press on and place blocks in!


Wow, Christmas morning is so much fun!

Christmas Eve

Here's a quick recap of our Christmas Eve spent with our family in the City.

It's loud, crazy and a whole lot a fun! It is great to be a part of such a large family.

Great-Grandpa Mike, Daddy and Amelia



Maria and I taking a moment to pose by the lighted tree.

One of the best parts of the night is that Santa comes to visit us. This year he said I was a good boy again so he gave me a cute little sleeping Christmas Bear.
"Thanks Santa, I promise to be good all next year, too!"

Amelia was just not too sure of the "real" Santa. She wanted to stay in Daddy's arms the whole time. Santa gave her a cute winter bear wearing a red jacket.

Even Grandma Grace got to sit on Santa's lap this year. I wonder if she was on the "Naughty or Nice"list?

The "Nice" list of course!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Love,

The Hammy Family

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

It is still snowing!!!

One of a Kind Giftwrap

I made my own gift bags to put my swirl painted ornaments. I am going to give one to each of my Aunts and Uncles for Christmas. I got to stamp cool Christmas things and stick sparkly snowmen and trees on each of the white bags.
Look Mommy!!!


I can't wait to hand them out to everyone!

Getting Ready to Hit the Sled Hill

OK, Mommy has totally over dressed me! I can't move my arms!

I know she wants to make sure I don't freeze to death, but really?!

2 pairs of socks

sweat pants

snow pants

boots

long sleeve sweatshirt

jacket

2 pairs of gloves

hat

hood, wrapped over my face!

I had soooo much fun sledding!!! First, we did a practice run by only sledding down the bottom half of the hill. After, one try I was ready for the big hill. Daddy placed me on my own tube, gave me a gentle nudge and Yaah-Whoo! I went racing down the hill all by myself!!!

I loved it!!! Everyone must give this sledding thing a try!!!

Thanks Daddy for taking me sledding for the first time! When can we go again???

Elf in Training

I have been watching my Mommy wrap gifts using this pretty paper, so I figured I should give her a hand.
Now how about some tape???

Curiosity of Christmas

After Mommy finally had enough of our at home photo shoot, she secretly snapped a few more.

"Over, under and now they are hooked."

"Shake them, shake them real hard."

"I did it!!! OK, now what do I do with them?"

Misson: Christmas Card Photo

"I GIVE UP!!!"

"Maybe, next year we will get them professionally done!"

O' Little Christmas Tree

Shortly, after we put up our big, family Christmas tree, Mommy and Daddy surprised us with our very own Christmas tree. I got to decorate my own all by myself.

I love it!

Now, do you think Santa will leave little presents under our little trees too?




Amelia's Tree

Her tree is a "girly, girl" tree. It has pink ornaments all over it, with a pink beaded star on top.

Amelia loves to fall asleep to the gentle Christmas lights.

Advent Activities

We have been rather busy at the Hammy house, doing all sorts of fun Christmas activities. Here are a few that Mommy took pics of:

Ornament swirl painting

(fun, but did not turn out as well as we expected)

Daddy and I played the Christmas tree shape game a few more times.

We decorated gingerbread cookies, yum! We all had important jobs; Mommy piped the white outlines and the faces, Daddy put the eyes on and I got to put on the buttons.

So far the cookies are getting great reviews!

A Perfect Play Date

Monday, we had our friends, Lauren, Ryan, Liz, Joshua and Heather over for an afternoon play date. We had a wonderful time being loud, and crazy with each other. First, we had a yummy lunch of Chicken fingers and noodles. Ryan and I had a lovely time holding hands for a little while as we ate.
Then, it was play time! Joshers and Baby Ryan had a great time playing together. Aren't they so cute!!! (Shh, don't tell my Daddy I said that!)

Later on, Lauren, Josh and James made a parade together! Here they come now!
Thanks everyone for spending the afternoon with us, we really had a great time!

Bows, Bows and More BOWS!!!

"Um, Amelia what are you doing???"

"Nothing, Mama!"

"I think this is the best place for all of those shiny bows...
in the garbage!"