Lil' Tagger

Since Mila is currently really into markers and crafts, Mommy thought it would be fun to let her decorate the name tags for all of our Christmas gifts...

She worked really hard turning blank address labels into

abstract works of modern art!

"How many more, Mommy? I'm pooped!"

Cookie Monsters

Mila went to her friend Saya's house to decorate Christmas cookies!

The girls loved spreading the icing and the sprinkles were a big hit...

Saya took advantage of the situation and ate as many cookies as her Mommy would allow, but Mila didn't want one bite! Mommy tried to show her they were yummy--yeah, that's what she was doing when she had her third one ;) --but Mila took it all very seriously and just looked at her like, "Why would I want to eat my art project, silly?"

Here are a few of her finished beauties:

Happy Holidays with Grandma

Grandma Lynn came to visit Mila last week and brought with her wonderful presents and yummy almond and meringue cookies :)

Mila fell asleep right before we dropped Grandma off at the airport and the first word out of her mouth when she woke up at home was "Gamma?" She misses her already!

Bookworm

Today Mila and Mommy went to the Bucktown library for the first time. Mila seemed drawn to the biggest books on the shelf.

We read the first few pages of a dozen different books, with so many choices around her it was hard for our little wiggle worm to concentrate on a full story, but we both had a great time.

Riding In Style

MQ rocks her rain boots on the rocking horse!

Tree Lighting Parade

Last weekend we bundled up and went downtown for the

Michigan Avenue tree lighting parade. Mila was completley enchanted and the festivities put us all in a jolly Christmas mood that lasted until...we got stuck in the terrible traffic coming home!

Guess who?

Just when Mommy was thinking MQ was starting to look more like her, Daddy dug up some old pictures. What do you think? (Mommy's on the left; Daddy's on the right.)

Banana-rama

She's got her banana, her teddy and what is clearly her very favorite

show on TV (Sesame Street). All is right in Mila's little world!

Booty-ful

Mila's latest must-have accessory: BOOTS! She pulls on a pair (often on the wrong feet) within seconds of waking up. Here she is fresh out of an after-dinner bath sporting winter boots over her PJs.

The other day, at her insistence,

she even took a nap wearing rubber rain boots!

A GREAT Grandmother

This week we recognize and celebrate Mila's

namesake and Great-Grandma Mimi's 79th birthday.

She's the prettiest, funniest, most caring

great-grandmother we know.

We love you!

Flapper Toddler

As Mommy dressed for a 1920s themed party,

Mila found the head piece of

her costume and took a liking to it.

We put it on her and that little dame

really thought she was the bee's knees!

Happy Halloween!

For the 2nd year in a row we took Mila to the Roscoe Village children's parade. Last year she could barely sit on her own, this year she was all over the place!

Our baby caterpillar has blossomed into a sweet little butterfly!

Watching the costume parade on Daddy's shoulders.

Candy on the brain!

"I don't wanna wear this silly hat anymore!"

Butterfly Girls

Don't be fooled--

even though this looks like Brian Wilson of the SF Giants,

it is really Daddy :)

Happy Feet

When we are in the car, Mila ALWAYS removes her right shoe and usually the sock as well. We haven't figured out why she never does it to the left foot...but anyway, she really hams it up when we turn to look at her. She'll do anything to make us laugh--sniff her foot, holds it up for us, she even tries to put it behind her head!

Not For Sale

She may be hanging out by a for sale sign, but this little sweetie is priceless :)

Little Miss Florida Sunshine

Last week we made a trip down to Ft. Myers to visit "Gamma" Lynn:

We spent our time soaking up the sun, playing games, preparing food on beach side grills, boating and swimming. We also toured ECHO farm, an important organization working to reduce global hunger.

We took turns steering the pontoon boat we rented for an afternoon.

Even though Mommy was afraid of the gators,

Mila wanted to jump in the lake so badly we all went in with her,
even Grandma!

Taking advantage of Grandma Lynn as babysitter,
"Mr & Mrs Brown" went on a date :)

Mila loves the pool!

Peace out!

Morton Arboretum

We took advantage of the awesome weather and headed out to the Morton Arboretum on Sunday. It is a gorgeous, huge park and we all had a great time spending the day enjoying nature and the fall festivities.

Fall Fun

We checked out a great neighborhood event last weekend called Design Harvest. While local artisans showed off stylish hand-crafted furniture and artwork, the crowds enjoyed live music, apples, a petting zoo for kids and pumpkin beer for adults. We all had a fabulous time...

Daddy-daughter dance.

HAY FIGHT!

Giving Uncle Aaron some love.Watching the square dancing band.

Making a new buddy.

Mommy's little pumpkin.

Vander Vliet Family Picnic

We made a trip to Michigan for the Vander Vliet family picnic.

It was a wet autumn day, but that didn't stop us
from catching up with family, enjoying yummy homemade food and playing in the park.

The real fun began when Aunt Vonna brought out
silly neckties and thick-rimmed glasses for the kids!

Goofy Cousins!

Even though Mila wasn't very happy in this picture with her
Great Grandma Vander Vliet, we had a nice time at the picnic
and enjoyed spending time with family.