Christmas Tree Cutting

The first time I ever cut a real live Christmas tree was with Ryan and his family, way back in (probably 2008).  We visited a farm they had been going to for many years called Sinninnippi Tree Farm.  We cut there for a few years until they closed the doors and stopped selling trees.  That put us on the hunt for a new farm and some new traditions.  We roamed around nothern Illinois, trying out a few farms over the years and moving on when they got too busy or too thinned out.  About 3 (?) years ago we heard that Sinninnippi reopened their farm and this year we decided to head down south to see what we could find out.

We LOVED the trees - they were fat and full and beautiful.  The farm isn't actually the same farm we cut on years ago, but it's adjacent and owned by another family.  Turns out Dan and Erin actually know the family  (and their daughter who did musical theater with Erin way back when) and they live in Geneva.  

And...I can't help but share our beautifully decorated house along with one of my favorite Christmas season signs Erin made for me over the weekend while she was here with us.

1 Family x 12 (Nov)

 

We tried out a different farm this year and we love the trees!  Ryan commented three times on the sharpness of the saws (in a very Ryan way).  HAHAH!  I'm pretty sure we'll be back next year.

Thanksgiving

After 3 years we're finally back to Thanksgiving as usual!!!  Last year Mom and Dad hosted but Erin and Dan headed to southern Illinois to be with the McGrath side...so this year we were finally all back together.  Just missing one, Aunt Peggy.  She was, and will always be missed.  It's just not the same without her there.  But, I did my best to recreate her stuffing (I even have a hand written 2 page recipe/letter she sent me during COVID).  

Just look at my beautiful family.  I sure am one lucky girl!

*This photo might just be my blog book cover for 2022.

Our Thanksgiving weekend always includes gingerbread houses.  This was the first year that the kids did it mostly on their own.  Each available grown up was given a bag of frosting to warm up while Joey and I unwrapped and unboxed everything.  That made it so much easier for the kids to work solo.

McMyer Wine Weekend

Thanks to both my parents and Dan, Ryan and I were able to take a few days away with Jamie and Zach (just us adults...no kids!).  Having a few days away from the house, the kids, and work was just what my soul needed to prepare for the crazy/fun/busy holiday season that is just moments away.  

Jamie and Zach invited us to join them for a 4 day weekend away to southern Illinois, the Shawnee National Forest area and the wineries that have sprung up in that region.  They did a similar trip last year and invited us along the trip this year.  

We popped the kids on the bus Thursday morning and headed out around 8:30 that morning.  We drove for most of the day but landed in Missouri at a winery inside a cave.  Well, if I'm honest, it was a drinking room inside the cave, not the actual winery...but it was still cool and a fun way to start the trip.  

I can't remember all of the wineries we visited but I attribute that more to the fact that Zach did literally ALL of the planning for this trip and we were just along for the ride.  It was strange and also lovely to just be along for whatever the day brought.  We visited a ton of wineries, hiked for a few hours each morning, drove all over (or at least it seemed like we did), had beers, wines and even found a cool cocktail bar one afternoon.  Oh, and the boys even got in a round of golf while Jamie and I hung out a nearby winery.

The weather was perfect, though if you ask Zach, he was disappointed that we missed most of the leaf change.  It was warm enough that we all had a hard time packing.  You needed to dress in layers so you could add/remove through out the day.  Add in the mix of activities - hiking and sitting around drinking...and I think we all packed a little heavier than needed.  LOL!

The hikes we did were beautiful - Zach, you did a great job picking them out.  We saw all kinds of cool rock formations.  It's too bad it's such a far drive, we hiked a hike the kids would have LOVED on Sunday morning before we struck out for home.  It included hiking down a (very small) waterfall and back up again in (very small) river.  The kids love anything that includes a little challenge and the opportunity to get wet.  

We had an amazing weekend away, making memories that'll last a life time, and I'm so glad to have such a great group of friends. 

1 Family x 12 (October)

 

These monthly family photos are always my favorites of the entire year, but the last 3 months of the year...these ones are gold!

Halloween 2023

 

Halloween 2022 might have been my favorite one yet!  We finally got the whole group on board to do a big group costume and I can't tell you how happy this photo makes me.  We decided on a zoo theme and let each of the kids pick whatever animal they wanted.  I personally opted for the adult onesie route and truly, this may be the only type of costume you see me in from here on out! 

Ryan's giant blow up squid costume sealed the deal on this theme.  I mean...come on!  It's hilarious.

Beth was adorable in the zoo keeper outfit and she really helped to tie our group together by giving us one "human" to be in charge of the circus.  

And Zach's giant sloth made the funniest video.  Jamie got one of him slowly waddling behind the trailer full of kids as we walked around the block.  

I don't know how many more years we'll have of the kids wanting to dress up (and do group costumes) so for now we're soaking it all up and making as many memories as we can.  

My beautiful girls.  I love them so darn much!

And, a rare Sadie/Ryan photo.  Somehow photos of just the two of us are hard to come by.  This one will make it into a frame I think.

I love this group of people so so so much and I'm thankful to be doing life right along side them.  Another Halloween in the books!