La Cocina de Lola

Santa's Elves (aka Mommy & Daddy) just spent the last 2.5 hours assembling Lola's AWESOME Christmas gift from Grandma, Papa & GiGi. It is absolutely perfect and we know she is going to LOVE "cooking" in it. Even though Southwest is pretty generous with the baggage allowance, we don't think we'd be able to check this on our flight down to Florida so she can open it Christmas morning. So instead, we're going to give it to her on Sunday evening--when she'll get all her Kitchen accessories from Grammy.

THANK YOU-THANK YOU-THANK YOU
Grandma, Papa & GiGi!!!

I have a problem...

...it takes me FOREVER to put pictures up! I finally put the beautiful photos we had taken to mark Lola's 1st Birthday (in August) into frames. The really sad part is that I've had the frames since September! I had the same problem with our wedding photos--it took me over a year to select what we wanted in our wedding album. But when you work with such talented photographers as KRISTINA and RACHEL, they make it very hard to choose!

And a P.S.--These awesome frames were purchased at Kohl's (that place rocks) and they are made from renewable wood.

So, the new additions to our home's decor:

(This photo is so perfect, it deserved to be blow up to an 11x14!)

Sewing 101

(Fabric: Juicy Jungle by Alexander Henry)

I got to do something recently that has been on my "to-do" list for awhile--take a sewing class! My Auntie Joanie was an awesome sewer and I always wanted her to teach me. The Needle Shop in Bucktown offers a 4-hour Sewing 101 class that I highly recommend. They only allow 4 students total in each class, so you really get personal attention from the instructor. I learned the basics of the machine--and then got to make an awesome pillow for Lola. How cute is that fabric?! One of these days when I get some free time (haha), I'm going to break out my Aunt's machine and attempt a solo project. Stay tuned...

Baby Loves Berries

Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries--she l-o-v-e-s them! Lola got to try Blackberries today. Who knew they made you look like you have a beard.

Giving Daddy a sweet, sweet smile.

Christmas Card Pictures

Instead of heading to a studio (and experiencing all the pain that goes along with it)--we enlisted the help of Leah's finance, Phil, to snap a few photos of us for our Christmas card this year. You'll recognize the ones that made the cut--and the ones that didn't! The Oak Park Ave. train station made the perfect background. And the weather was more like a spring day than a winter one!

The adorable dress Lola is wearing is a Tate Peck original. I've been looking forward to Lola wearing it ALL year--ever since Shelby let us borrow it last Christmas. And she's already worn it twice since the pictures! John says she looks like a present--which makes sense because she is the ultimate gift.



"No, Mommy--I don't want to take pictures!"

Tinley got its start in the railroad industry--hence the vintage engine.

Jingle Bells!

And as our card said this year:
"May this Christmas be you most blessed and this New Year be your happiest."
John, Kristen & Lola

Zoo Lights

What a fun weekend we had! We met up with Chris, Tracy & Parker on Sunday night in the city. We stopped at the Brickhouse on Belmont and had some great pizza--and then we headed over to Lincoln Park Zoo to enjoy the "Zoo Lights" display. As if spending time with great friends wasn't enough, we got blessed with some mild weather (40 degrees and no wind off the lake!) to enjoy it all in. But of course we still got Hot Chocolate!

Hugs from Lola...
...and kisses from Parker!
The Stine Trio
Buddies & their Babies.
"La Tortuga" ice sculpture.

He's in the Lion House!
She was all about hanging upside down as we waited in line.
John caught this sweet smile on camera and I love it!

Our little Trio with the jolly ol' fella (who was about our age.)
Parker's reaction is PRICELESS.
Lola was as cool as a cucumber--to the point that she had NO reaction whatsoever!
See!
Here kitty-kitty.

A little bit of bathtime fun this morning.

Be on the look-out for what an Elephant does and what Santa says :)

Happy 30th Tom & Alissa

We had a great night celebrating our dear friends as they turn 30! Lots of drinks and lots of food--the way any party should be. Tom & Alissa used to have a get together in the city once a month, I swear. But those were the days of city living and no children! So it was really fun to have a chance to do it again.

Thankfully, my culinary concoctions were a huge hit. Creating the invitations and making some great food for the party was the very least I could do. Besides being an amazing friend to me ALWAYS, Alissa has help host two showers for me along the way (Bachlorette & Baby). We love you guys!

(And on a side note--Lola dined at Cracker Barrel last night and when I asked how she was, my Dad's response was: "She was perfect. She's MY grand-daughter, what do you expect?!" He's looking forward to taking her out for Lobster as soon as she's ready.)

Tom & Alissa (on the far right) with some of their guests. Would you believe me if I told you Alissa is just shy of entering the Second Trimester of her pregnancy?!

Friends & Family in this picture.

We had a blast chatting with Margaret & Adam all night. Probably because they are native Poles, so naturally, they're awesome.

And for the first time, I realized what a midget I truly look like standing next to my husband. I love that he's such a teddy bear. Makes a girl feel safe!

Lola loves her Papas!

We're about to head over to Tom & Alissa's for their 30th birthday bash. John is home safely from California and we're ready to have some adult fun! Lola is out to dinner with Grandma & Papa--their first time taking her out on their own. I can't wait to hear how that turned out!

Whenever Lola sees her Papas--whether in person or via WebCam--she automatically says "Papa". I think it's adorable! But I feel bad for the Grandmas because they're the ones that actually feed her and change her diapers and spend all day long with her! Oh, well. They get repaid in kisses--and they're not complaining.

A recent one of my Dad and Lola I just stole off Sue's camera.
And me, ready to go out and drink too much wine!

Lola's Yogurt Philosophy...

...why eat it when you can paint yourself and your pretty dress with it?!

She entertained herself and even managed to get some of it in her mouth for dinner using the spoon. Oh, the joys of learning how to feed yourself. Who knew it could keep a 16-month old entertained for 45 minutes!
Yes, the Elmo slippers are worn all day long.



Not even going to think about how many hearts these brown eyes are going to break along the way.