Chicagoland Update

So we picked up the rental minivan Friday, and loaded it up... well beyond the point of sanity. As we loaded, I couldn't help but wonder HOW we would have managed without the extra space. As we drove down, I told Pamela that I knew what she was thinking, that no, we were not going to trade the Jag in for a minivan. We had a good laugh as the crosswinds buffeted the boxcar, the road noise created a roar.... HA! The drive was pretty good, though there was terrible weather for about 100 miles. Of course, Pamela was driving for that stretch.

On the way down, we stopped at Culvers, and Pamela discovered the joy of the Eggnog Shake. Mmmmm (or so I hear).

Bella and Isaac were pretty good road warriors, considering it was 7 hours. When we arrived at ten, both kids got a burst of energy, but by 11, everyone was back asleep. Lilli spent the night, so the girls got up early and started their adventures... Bella loves Lilli so much, it's great to watch them together.

Saturday was a lazy day, with lots of baking and snacking, with Lilli and Bella playing, Isaac was passed around all day. Papa and Jimmy went out to have Johnny's Italian Beefs (actually, I had a combo) - BEST I've eaten in a long long time. This place (Johnny's) has their own recipe, and they were grilling the sausages over a fire, it was too good to pass up. It was only with great fortitude that I decided not to have a second Combo. Rich said it was just as well, that would have been unprecedented, and the news media would have got involved.

In the evening, we put in National Lampoons Xmas Vacation. That's one of the funniest holiday movies ever, but we had all collectively forgotten about all of the cussing in the movie, and we're all waiting for Bella to bust out with the S-word, and the A-word, and the Q-word. Also, I had forgotten how strangely womanly Chevy Chase was in that movie - all of those long shots of him gazing at things... made up with such caked-on makeup...

Bridget and Rich hung out in the evening - it's fun to hear Bridget's tales of the Apple Store, where she is some sort of manager-type. Turns out, their store is not TOO insane this season - it attracts a good clientele. Apparently people are buying these things called "EyePods" or something - it's like a "digital" record player. I should look into those.

Sunday is another lazy day so far, but it'll kick into high gear soon enough - Xmas eve starts at 3:30, then it'll be time for Santa to show up... he likes to spend a little time and set up all of the toys in advance - Santa knows there's nothing sadder than watching Daddy try to undo the packaging on toys with an expectant child waiting....