Some Holiday Cheer..

It's been a few weeks already since my last post... Time flies by so quickly. Finished my third class in my Health care Management program and it feels great!! Only to be reminded that it's on to the next class....Stats. UGH!! Had a great Thanksgiving weekend, and did some serious shopping on Black Friday!!! Went to bed at 1:50 am and was up to stand in line at Target by 2:55!! Overall, I did pretty good on roughly an hour of sleep!!! Ran to electronics when the doors opened at 4 AM at Target to score the very last two Garmin's. One for Craig and I and the other for his very pregnant sister Shelley. Took the time this weekend to start ( and finish) decorating the house!! My husband's newest holiday purchase, a 9 foot Christmas tree was a beast to put up all alone, ( next year we are doing that together!!) and ended up getting everything up by Sunday night!! Pretty good if I do say so myself!! The countdown is on, only 12 days till the party!! Tree pictures to come...
Night!!!

MY GRANDMOTHER, WHAT BIG TEETH YOU HAVE...and other Halloween Adventures

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Ahhh, Halloween!! One of my two favorite holidays each year... Sorry Craig, it is still so that I despise Christmas, despite your constant efforts!! Even with last minute plans, it turned out great. We had a lot of fun and some moments were definetely memorable!!! They will partake in many future funny reminiscences I'm sure...

Little Red Riding Hood and Big Bad Wolf

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Having fun at RED9

Oscar the Bat

So CUTE!!!

A portrait of the un-fun we experienced earlier in the day as we finished bagging the piles from the back yard.

Yep, that's 33 bags total... and

this is only a portion of 33 lawn bags filled with leaves...

Yeah there are that many leaves in our yard!!

YUCK....

Did I mention I HATE raking in the first place... It was the most loathed job as a child... I'm sure my sisters can recall "Momster" and the raking day extravaganza!!!

Ready for the Trick-or-Treaters!!

He is loving all the attention!!

Our First Trick-or-Treaters of the night

Aidan the Police man and Sammy as the prisoner!!

They are such cuties!!!

The Palik's on Halloween 2010

Aidan's excellent photography skills!!

The best one of the night!! I love how this one

portrays emotions of craziness and the disbelief  only siblings could feel!!

They are so funny and constant entertainment to be around!!

We love you Aidan & Sam!!

Chicago

As is has become, we have made a it a yearly ritual to venture out east to cheer on my husband's beloved Notre Dame. On our way back it has also become ritual to cheer on Megan as she shops till she drops on Michigan Avenue. Although, Craig is not the one doing the cheering as he is less that enthused with shopping in the first place. Guess most of the cheering comes from me, as I find great deals from some of the best shopping on the planet!!  However, Chicago has become very near and dear to both of our hearts as we traveled our first year in 2006 to a Irish home game and then visited Chicago for the first time together and got ENGAGED our last night there. October 1st, 2006, it seems like six months ago and a decade ago all at the same time... Here is a few memories of our current trip back to where the road to married life all began....

The Engagement

October 1st, 2006

Craig & Megan by Chicago's Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park



Lego Land invades Michigan Avenue..

Our hotel the Intercontinental Chicago

Meg on Michigan Avenue

Craig is in pizza heaven at Lou Malnati's

Our room

Craig by a indoor retired WWII submarine at the

Museum of Science and Industry

Meg by the sub and a torpedo

A view from the top

Meg by a mist made tornado

The pink Chicago skyline

Buckingham Fountain October 2010



At Buckingham Fountain

Four years later

Navy Pier Ferris wheel

Craig in love with his Garrett popcorn at Navy Pier

The damage...

We had a great time and look forward to returning next year. It is funny how we have been five times now and each time we still find plenty to do.. I guess that is what makes Chicago so great. This year we accomplished staying on Michigan Avenue, some serious shopping, Lou Malnati's Chicago deep dish pizza, Garrett's popcorn at Navy Pier (that one is not new, just a must for Craig), visiting the science museum,  and after our GPS got us seriously lost, that sentence just doesn't seem right, we finally made it to SuperDawg, an hour and a half later. It was worth it though. Then  after a blunder in our first order for Craig, I guess a cheesy is a cheesey hamburger, who knew!! We both ended up loving their hot dogs!! I can't believe I would say that, but they were seriously that good. Here's to next year and a whole new set of adventures.....

Cheer, Cheer for ole' Notre Dame....

And so they were on down the road......

Our annual trip to cheer on our favorite Notre Dame Fighting Irish for a FOURTH straight year and fifth game together (2006-2010)!! We had a great time, and even though the weather was a little warmer than we planned, the pep rally,tail gating, grilling and game was an amazing time!!

 Craig having fun tailgating!!

Craig & Megan in front of Notre Dame Stadium..

Touchdown Jesus..

Right before we go into the game

They won!! beating Pittsburgh  23 to 17!!

The game was blazing hot and we faced the sun the whole time, so much for a perfect fall football Saturday. But hey, it could have been raining or freezing cold, so I will count my blessing where they come!! Can't wait for next year!!

Our Family Blog..

So in an attempt to "get with it" and connect more with family and friends, our story, life, triumphs, success's and adventures are going out into cyber space for you all to enjoy along with us!!!
Hope this is fun :o)