Sudlow Christmas

We had Sudlow Christmas at the Aldermans the Saturday before Christmas again this year.  Emily got all of the kids these fun "Cousin Squad" shirts.

Aleah found the pickle this year!

Lucas' Christmas dreams all came true when he got Banana Blast from Grandma & Papa:

Aleah got a fun blow up chair from Aunt Betsy & Uncle Nathan:

and a pretty unicorn light from Grandma & Papa:

Aunt Alisa made this awesome sign for Jacob:

The "triplets" got matching dolls from Phil & Erika:

and Aleah got a Barbie car!

Grandma made this amazing quilt for Hannah:

Josh and I had these fun new Christmas Vacation shirts:

Josh got a blanket with two of his favorite things: Cubs & Disney!

We had a Christmas Vacation themed gift exchange this year.  Here is what everyone ended up with:

We also had a good dirty Santa exchange, did the annual saran wrap ball, had lots of mocha punch and a taco bar.... it was a good day!

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving at the Sudlow side this year!  I was in charge of desserts.  I made PB Oreo pie:

(the under layer):

I also made 16 dozen "pumpkin pie" cookies for orders and took some to our family dinner:

Hannah made pumpkin pie cups that her class had made at school.  

She said it's going to be her new tradition:

I also made my favorite Pioneer Woman, pecan pie:

My mom made this cute cheeseball:

Cousins:

Chicago - Hamilton!

In the fall, Josh asked me if it would be possible for me to get away for the day on Wednesday, November 20th.  I didn't know what he had planned yet, but I knew he wanted to take the day off of work to spend with me, so I wanted to make it happen!  The older 3 kids were at school all day.  It wasn't Lucas' regular preschool day, but I switched him that day for him to go for the morning.  Papa Steve picked him up and kept him until the older kids got off of school.  Then my mom and dad took over until we got home that evening.  It was a bit of a puzzle but it worked out!

Josh and I headed up to Chicago.  We started with lunch at an Italian place called Acanto.  It was a very nice restaurant with great food.  It was quiet when we first arrived but was buzzing by the time we left!

Then.... we headed down the street to see Hamilton!!!  I have been wanting to see this show for awhile; I was a little naive about how much tickets would cost though.  I had no idea.  It was worth every penny.  It was amazing.  I will never forget it.

I knew a little about the show before I attended; I had listened through all of the music, watched a documentary on PBS, read Who Was Alexander Hamilton?, and listened to the audio book by Lin Manuel Miranda.  Since seeing the show, I have listened to it straight through dozens of times.  It is such an amazing work.  I am still in awe.

After the show, we stopped at The Palmer House Starbucks for drinks and then headed home!  I'm so thankful and will never forget this day with my husband!