Hello darlin'. nice to see. ya it's been a long time, you're just as lovely as you used to be

We went to the Christmas party at Conway Farms with Grandma and Grandpa Funke and Aunt Mary Ellen this afternoon. Characters from the Wizard of Oz were there as well as Santa.

Grace dancing with Dorothy.

Posing with the gang.

She wouldn't sit on Santa's lap but she gave him a hug and told him what she wanted for Christmas.

Grace and Mom in front of the tree.

Getting a rainbow painted on her face by Dorothy.


Eating a Christmas cookie.

Getting a balloon cat on a leash from Glinda the Good Witch.



There was a little show with all the characters doing tricks and songs. Grace was scared or shy during most of it, choosing to quietly watch. But when the Scarecrow came out with a bag of bells and asked for volunteers, Grace walked up and stood in the line ignorant of the fact that she hadn't actually been chosen. She's all the way on the left. I think she did better than he expected her to.

Getting Ready For Christmas

Grace and Baba decorating a gingerbread house.

The finished product.

Jake looking for a place to pee where the snow doesn't come up to his neck this morning.

Should have taken a before picture. This is the girls old dollhouse which we are tuning up and giving to Grace for Christmas this year.


At the Libertyville tree lighting ceremony.

Decorating the tree.

Downtown at the Navy Pier Christmas thingamajig.

Bookapalooza

Grace, Baba and Mom went downtown to Bookapalooza at the Harold Washington Library.

This is Grace with "Corduroy."

Grace and Baba looking at her swag.

Listening to something.

This is Grace with that stupid greedy mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

I don't know what that thing is.

Thanksgiving

Uncle Tony and Aunt Heidi came over for Thanksgiving dinner this year (Scott made a brief appearance as well).

Funke Baby Robot Election Day Special

Dad and Grace voted before work/Ms. Penny's today. Check out the change-my-diaper-crotch-grab at the beginning of the video.

Grace and Kaitlyn Reading The Thee Little Pigs

This was taken just before they went trick or treating.

First you traded the Cadillac in for a microphone. Then you lied to me about the band. And now you're gonna put me right back in the joint!

We had some friends over for a post-Halloween-wear-their-costumes-one-more-time party tonight.

Kaitlyn and Grace going crazy in their matching PJs.

When we bought this hat she would never wear it. Now that we've tried to put it away in storage she can't live without it. Here it replaces the Minnie Mouse ears she refuses to wear until we try to put them away in storage.

Liam checking out his work on the train table. You can't tell from the picture but he's dressed as Diego.

Paul made some crafts at the craft table while the kids were playing.

Party animal

They're on a mission from god.

If we went to a Halloween party dressed as Batman and Robin, I'd go as Robin. That's how much you mean to me...

Halloween Continues!

Grace and Olivia riding the train at the Highland Park Halloween party.

On the pony ride in Highland Park.


In her Minnie Mouse costume at her playgroup's Halloween party.


Even baby had to wear a costume.

Probably the only time she wore the Minnie ears.

We went to Kaitlyn's house for trick or treating.

The stairs were a little tough for Grace.

With Sophia and Andrew in downtown Libertyville.

Scooping the guts out of our pumpkin.

She carried it all by herself.

Raking Leaves

A Very Busy Weekend

Grace is passed out in bed right now and will probably sleep in tomorrow after 3 days in a row of excitement and only 1 nap.

Here she is with mom and Robin Preiss-Glasser, illustrator of the Fancy Nancy books at a book signing at The Book Stall.

On Friday night we drove down to Glenview for their park district's Halloween party. T here was lots to do. Here's Grace showing off the spider someone painted on her hand.


Here she is with a couple of really tall balloons.

Here she is showing off the latest in balloon butterfly support garments.


After playing this fishing game she was very excited to win...

Stick on earrings!!!

Then on Saturday, Grace and Kaitlyn went to the Lincoln Park Zoo to do a little trick or treating. This is what they did when the moms asked them to put their arms around each other.

Yes, she has more than one costume. There's a third one that will probably show up here next week.

New Table

Grandma and Grandpa Funke were cleaning out a storage closet and found Aunt Mary Ellen's old American Girl Doll table and chair set so they passed it down to Grace who is enjoying it immensely.

Jake's Weekend

Because every one else was in Philly, Jake and I had the pleasure of hosting Emma for the weekend. It's hard to get this on film because by the time you get the camera she's done but imagine this going on for a couple of minutes every couple of hours and you'll understand why Jake will be sleeping through the day today. I should also mention that this was taken a couple hours after we'd walked a mile or two at the dog park. You'd think she'd be tired.