feeding the duckies

Christmas Comes Early to Naperville

Last year we conceded that there would be no reasonable way for our family to drive or fly to Buffalo for a December Christmas celebration with the Jaromin side of the family. The solution: host everyone at our house in October for an early family Christmas!

The Shedd Aquarium

On Thursday Mom and Dad, and my sister Julie with her family arrived. Friday morning Sue and her family flew in to Midway — and were immediately taken downtown where everyone met up for a day out at the Shedd Aquarium.

Clockwise starting @left: Patrick, Suzy, Sue, Scott, Julie, Joe, Shea, Jacob, Josh, Morgan, Samantha, Annalise, Sean, Nathan.

We took in the aquatic show and watched the Beluga whales and dolphins perform. We took in the sharks and saw fish in the “Wild Reef” and the kids got a chance to dress up like penguins — a definite highlight.

Penguins Shea and Josh

While Suzy and I drove the kids home, their parents experienced pizza at Gino's East.

American Girls, Cutting Boards, and Christmas Dinner

While the girls headed out to the American Girl store in downtown Chicago, I worked with Scott and Joe on cutting boards in my shop. Later that evening there were Christmas presents and an Italian Christmas dinner courtesy of Mom (and Biaggi’s)!

The American Girls

Making Joe's cutting board

Christmas Dinner

Swimming in October

The weather for the entire weekend was absolutely beautiful, and Sunday was no exception. In fact, we hit 80+ degrees and decided to haul the pool out of storage.

The kids enjoy the unseasonably hot weather

Girlfriends. Annalise and Samantha spent much of the weekend playing together.

Scott wanted his own cutting board, so we headed back into the shop on Sunday to build one — naturally it had to be bigger than Joe’s. I designed a cherry/walnut/purpleheart and a cherry/walnut/purpleheart/ash board.

Scott sands his manly cutting board

Mom runs the Wii Sports obstacle course

Morgan did her “community service” by taking excellent care of baby Emma for the duration. Unfortunately, Chris, Amy and family were unable to make it. Otherwise it was a nearly perfect “Christmas” weekend!