Boiler up Illini!?

My little cheerleaders! They both looked super cute, but I could not get a good picture of them!

Daddy's little helper girl!

Claire was very eager to help Matt replace the door stopper. She always assists him with his handyman work. This includes changing the light bulbs and replacing the batteries in toys, remotes, etc. Very heavy duty stuff! She takes her job very seriously and when a light bulb burns out, she is quick to let her dad know! How nice that I don't have to nag him to do it!

Snow is here! Backyard snow hill!

Claire enjoyed sledding down the stairs of our deck! I packed in the snow and did a trial run first! I guided her down and let go of the sled about halfway down the hill and she did great.
Hot chocolate!

Kitty cat earmuffs

Claire LOVES them! I let her wear them to her "school" and when I came to pick her up an hour and a half later, she still had them on! It was funny, but I had a talk with her that they are only to be worn outside when it's cold. I wonder if she heard anything her teacher said! :)

Lincoln Park Zoo (and daddy came too)!

We had an unseasonably warm day and decided to make it a family fun day in Chicago! We enjoyed our morning at the zoo and then headed to Southport Lanes for lunch.
The lions were sleeping right by the window! It was so amazing to see them so close. I kept waiting for them to wake up and scare the heck out of us, but they didn't!
Silly Claire! She is the biggest goof! Note her animal crackers, another zoo tradition!
Dad and daughter
The usual photo, but I got into this one since Matt was along!

Christmas at the condo

The festivities continue through January in this family!! The girls really scored this Christmas! Thanks so much to everyone for the wonderful and considerate presents for us all!

Greg, Mary and Tela, oh wait, Claire!
Allie looking cool!
Claire with her kitty cat earmuffs and Allie with her poodle hat and scarf! Very cute!
Loving their toys from cousin William!

Biscotti dogs and French animals

I told Claire that she had Scotty dogs on her top, and later when I asked her what they were, she told me that they were "Biscotti"! She just so happened to have her first taste of biscotti on New Years day! I also recorded her saying the names of some things in french.