Chicago

Over Columbus Day weekend, we went to Chicago for a trip we had originally scheduled to go on in July. Even though we had to squeeze in all our visits in a shorter period of time, it was great to see everyone and for Sylvie to get some QT in with her cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncle, and great-grandmother.

Our first stop included a stay at Granny's house, where Sylvie enjoyed searching the house for cats, dancing with Daddy and modeling the new tutu Granny got her.

Little ballerina girl

Gotta dance.

The next night, we saw (my sister) Aunt Jenny, Uncle John, Patrick, Lily, as well as Pop (my dad), Gigi, (my stepmother Gerry) and Aunt Carolyn. The kids loved playing together.

A little sampling of the craziness.

I'm kicking myself, though. I got no pictures of Jenny, John, my dad, stepmother, or sister Carolyn the whole time we were there. Duh.

The next day, we visited my grandmother for lunch.

Eating lunch like a big girl.

Sharing a moment.

A girl can only refrain from being silly for so long.

The second attempt was better.

All happy now.

On Saturday night, we went to a party for my dad's cousin Lucy, who was in town promoting her book, "Waking Up in Eden." (Check it out at: http://www.lucindafleeson.com) Again, I'm kicking myself for not having my camera. Regardless, it was a lot of fun and great to visit with family and friends I haven't seen in years, and Sylvie enjoyed charming all of them.

On our last full day before coming back, we stopped by my grandmother's house with the whole crew, hoping to take a dip in the 94 degree pool there. Unfortunately it was closed for the holiday weekend, but while there, Patrick enjoyed using Beau as a human jungle gym.

Here's Sylvie, entertaining herself with the mirror in our hotel room after her bath. Too funny.