My eldest brother, Jeremy, invited us all to his bachelor pad in the city.
I didn't think he was serious as first when he said his house would be big enough for the enormous Knickerbocker family -- along with their spouses and kiddos. Nor did I think he knew what he was getting into having 5 little kids running around his house, 20+ mouths to feed for each meal, and the whole gambit.
But let me tell you something -- he thought it ALL through and then some! He had Christmas crafts for the kids, outings planned in the city, and fabulous food like we've never eaten before. But half the credit, if not more, should go to his girlfriend Corinne. We hope to see more of her at other family gatherings!
While it was stressful having to think about not being at our own home on Christmas morning, it was nice to get pampered and enjoy the Christmas holiday. I'll take it anytime!!!
Our festivities included shopping on Michigan Avenue while stopping to watch all the street performers, touring all the surrounding 'hoods, eating too much popcorn at Jarrett's (or deep dish pizza/hot dogs/food, etc), seeing Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo (disappointing, all the animals were sleeping), seeing plethora of animals the next day at Shedd's Aquarium.
Interesting moments included seeing homeless man walking around with cardboard shoes -- only later to find out he was just a scam. And attending Christmas at the local LDS church where our family trippled the attendance and only one speaker, the Bishop, showed up to speak.
Otherwise, we nestled around the homestead and ate yummy food, play games, and enjoy one anothers company. The stuff holidays are made of!
Christmas Eve
Best cousins -- Tanner and Mason (i.e. my Mas-y)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas reading by Grandpop
Part of the gang
Yummy snacks for Santa Claus and kiddos. Seriously, Corinne totally outdid herself.
This is just one of the 100+ yummy things she made!!!
A huge smile right before bedtime
"Pretending" to be asleep on Christmas Eve
While we had spent a lot of time talking about Christmas and gearing up for the big day, I don't think we really ever talked much about Santa Claus. While part of it was intentional to focus on Christ's birth, the other part was more accidental. Before bedtime, Tanner finally started thinking it through and had a million plus questions. How is Santa Claus going to come through the chimney? Won't he get stuck? Will he know I'm not at my house? etc. Eventually, we got him to go to sleep.
Christmas Morning
They didn't waste any time getting to the stockings!!
Oh yeah! Tanner got so excited about everything!!
Matching cars in stocking. One of their favorite toys. It's the little things that make such a big big difference!
Look at that tongue. You can tell he's really concentrating...
Tanner has one minor obsessions. Legos.
Tanner must have been on the "nice list" cause he got just what he wanted.
Seriously, one very lucky little boy
Love the Quincy smiles!! She just wanted to "eat" her presents.
A big thank you to Jeremy for all this hard work and mad Santa-skills.!
And another thanks to Nanny who always goes overboard at Christmas time!!
Umm, yummm!!
Shedd's Aquarium
This fish was sucking on the glass
A snake can always get Tanner's attention
Row, row, row your boat. This was Tanner's favorite part...
We had a great time and will come back anytime. Thanks to a great family for making this Christmas so memorable!
