Black Friday in Chicago and a birthday cake

Steve and I made a little day trip to Chicago the day after Thanksgiving to see the Art Institute of Chicago. We got there before it opened so we hung out in Millennium Park for a while. Sorry my pictures aren't in order, I'll never be able to do this right. Being home was a lot of fun!

This was the cake we had for Steve's birthday. It was my idea (since Steve turned 25) but I did not decorate it, my sister in law Rachel did. I think it turned out great.
My favorite painting at the Art Institute
Our house in case anyone was wondering how is was holding up

Famous Sunday in the park (not the actual title) painting, it was HUGE!

They had all these miniature rooms that were so cool, probably my favorite thing there. They were so tiny and behind glass (if you look you can see our reflections) :)
The granddaddy of all paperweights. The paperweight display was my second favorite
Stained glass
The Bean

Jazella's first Thanksgiving

We spent our first Thanksgiving with Will's family. Everyone loved seeing little Jazella. She was a good girl and pretty much slept all day. Her cute little outfit is thanks to Grandma Szilagyi. Thanks Grandma!

Our first family picture

It took us almost five weeks, but we finally got all gussied up and took a picture. Just thought I'd share it with all of you.

Thanksgiving in Rockton

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Ben made his fabulous Turkey again.  I did the pie and potatoes and then had to call it quits, leaving Ben with the rest of the sides.  Recovery is tricky . . . some days I feel great . . . some days I feel beat up.

Baby slept through the whole meal.  That was sweet of him.

We hope you all had a feast as tasty as ours.

3D Sounds

Go get yourself a pair of headphones and listen to this!

If you've been wondering . . .

 how Ben's parenting skills are.  Have no more fears or doubts.  He bonds very well with his son.  This is a game we call, "how much postage does it take to ship a baby?"

It was all fun and games until Reid stuck his tongue out and got stuck.  I love my boys!

My spoiled baby girl

Cute little baby Jazzie. She is only happy while being held though. As I am typing this, I am only using one hand because the other is occupied holding a sleeping baby. I wish I had grandma back to help hold her. :,-( I have a funny little story for all of you. Sunday morning I was changing Jazella's diaper and just as I was switching old diaper for new one she pooped all over her clothes, her legs, my hands, my shirt. And to make it worse I didn't have any wipes, so I had to yell for Will to come help me. It was a mess but I kinda feel like I've been officially introduced into motherhood. Gotta love babies!

Home Sweet Home

Look out Martha..

I made a wreath this morning with my glue gun, some hemp, and some things I found on the ground in my backyard when I was raking. The purple things are juniper berries that had fallen off the tree, pretty cool..That is my front door.

Jazelle

Desert Island Music

I was inspired by this NPR article to think of my 5 "desert island" CD's (i.e., what music you'd want if you were stranded on a desert island for an extended period of time). And ignoring any of the logical inconsistencies of how you would actually listen to music without electricity, I thought it would be fun to see what everyone would pick. Though it was hard to decide, here's my list.

1. Burnin' (Deluxe Edition) by Bob Marley
2. Kid A by Radiohead
3. Live by Rusted Root
4. The Best of Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin
5. Surrender by The Chemical Brothers

Runner up: Discovery by Daft Punk

P.S. I know that #3-4 are kind of cheating because they're compilations but I just couldn't choose one album so deal with it.

Steve's Birthday

Jazzy Pictures

Bennie Budala at 2 days old

Simon Got Glasses!

Now he looks like a real nerd! :)

San Antonio

39 years in Dec

Mom, Tammy, Jimmy

Mom by one of many Mosaics

Flowers along the river

What kind of duck? $10

The tress along the river are over 100 years old

This is a theater on the river, stage is across the river

This is the oldest courthouse in Texas

This bridge was built in 1890