Here are a few of my favorite pictures since Thanksgiving. I've been trying to post more updates and pictures, but between work, class, and the sickness that has taken over our household in the past month, it was impossible. Needless to say that after this sick season, I am a whole hearted advocate for the flu shot (which I didn't get)!
In December we went to the Santa Parade in Rockford, a yearly tradition we've had for a few years with the kids. After the parade we always go get our Christmas tree. The parade was great this year, as always.
Here's Adri, before the parade. Her new thing is to pose for pictures. :)
I took a lot of these pictures of her in the hat. One because I love the hat, and two because I love taking pictures of her. I might be a little biased, but I think she's the cutest little girl in the world!
Adri picked out our Christmas tree this year! Sam wanted nothing to do with it because he was tired from all the parade fun.
Adri posing again, this time she's trying to look as forlorn as possible. I think she nailed it!
Mr. Comedian Sam Man wastes no time in getting in on the picture fun. "Take pictures of me Mom!" he tells me as he makes his funniest face!
Adri had to make a funny face too. Unfortunately, I think this might be the ONLY funny face she knows. ;) (FYI: This face is the one she's done since before a year old. This is the "Mommy's Angry" look.) 
The Christmas tree is finished! Here's a kind of picture of the everyone. Kind of because Sam's not looking or smiling and it's half blurry. Better than nothing though!
Sam telling Nana goodbye after decorating the tree...
Bye Nana! I love you!
One Sunday, while I was out, Matt called me to tell me that Sam had found the shaving cream left on the side of the bathtub. He may look like he's not sure what to do with it here...
But he figures it out VERY quickly! At least it was confined to the bathtub!
Cheesy Man made a gingerbread choo choo with Daddy's help. When I say made what I really mean is Matt made the train while Sam ate as much candy as he could before it was taken away. In the end, Sam is a proud little man of his accomplishment!
The final product. Good job Matt! (The peppermints were supposed to be a smoke stack, if you're wondering.)
Adri's beautiful gingerbread house. She spent at least two hours decorating this!!!
Sam is very interested in Adri's house, for one reason only; to find out how much of her candy she is going to use so he can eat the rest!!! Smart little man!
Cutest, sweetest, little man in the WORLD!!!
Christmas came and went so very quickly!!! I'm still not sure how!!! It was a very exciting Christmas with both of the kids understanding Santa and being extremely excited about him visiting!
Papa and Sam attempt to take a picture together. I took so many and if one was looking the other wasn't. :) This was the best one.
Nana and Adri stop opening presents to take a picture together.
My little present. Adri's favorite thing to do is to tell me she has a present for me and then come up and give me hugs and kisses and tell me that she loves me more than anything. The best presents in the world!!!
I love this picture of Adri and Matt!!! She sure loves her Daddy!
Best picture ever taken of these three. All of them are looking AND smiling! WOW!
NEVER give boxing gloves to a 4 1/2 year old. You might regret it later. :)
Little dolly is tired after a few long days of Christmas...Good thing we have two weeks of vacation at home together!!!
Adri's letter to Santa. She told me what to write and then signed her name. Sammy contributed by drawing all over the letter when we were finished.
Sam's room after Christmas. If he doesn't become some kind of construction worker or train conductor some day, I'd be surprised. :)
We visited Breton Village Mall to see the train exhibit. Sam is OBSESSED with everything trains!!!
Daddy and Adri sit in Santa's vacated seat.
The AWESOME Koi fish at the mall.
These two love each other more than anything... (well most of the time)
Our adventure last weekend brought us to Rosa Parks Circle for outdoor ice skating. The place was a madhouse and my hopes weren't very high for anyone being able to skate (especially Matt and I) and stay up on their feet.
Of course, athletic Adri surprised us!!!
Sam wasn't able to stay up, even when he held onto the side, but he could stay up if you held him! (Good thing neither Matt or I had ice skates on or we all would have been on our behinds!)
Adri did take some spills, but once around the rink with the balance walker and she had no problems staying up!!! (I should get Mom of the Year, pausing to take this photo of her falling instead of helping her up. :) Actually, she wouldn't let me help her up, she insisted on doing it herself!)
Adri-isms:
I don't ever want Sam to grow up and have kids. I just want him to be my brother and play with me, forever.
I love you more than my stinky (blanky) Mom. I love you more than the dog. I love you more than anything!
Mom, I have a present for you! (Comes up and kisses me on the cheek, forehead, and mouth). I love you Mom!
Sam-isms:
Agee, don't leave! Play me!
Agee-N! Agee-N!
Agee naughty, she hit me. (Best thing ever--Sam can now tell us what his sister is doing to him!!!)
