What a difference a year makes. While she did not scream, kick, or cry like some kids, Sylvia did not want to get too close to Santa Claus last year. Things have turned around this year. After watching the lighting of the Evanston Christmas tree, she asked to go shake Santa’s hand, which she bravely did. This weekend, she sat on Santa’s lap at Macy’s. She still looks a little sheepish, but after all he is a very important man.
We had a busy weekend with Dede and Papa. On Friday we braved the crowds and went to Ikea to pick out a big bed for Sylvia’s Christmas present from Dede and Papa.
On Saturday, we went to the Chicago Botanic Gardens to take in the Wonderland Express. All of the trains and buildings are moved indoors, and new buildings are added to create a festive and impressive scene. They even make it snow indoors. Sylvia particularly liked the high school carolers and did a little jig for them as they sang.
On Sunday we went downtown to take in the holiday sights at Marshall Fields Macy’s. Sylvia bravely sat in Santa’s lap and reiterated that she wants to ride in his sleigh for Christmas. When he asked what else she might like, she replied ‘wrapping paper.’ We then picked out a Christmas dress and stopped by the ornately decorated Macy’s tree. Afterward we walked over to Daley plaza and ate some Bavarian glazed roasted nuts at the Christkindlmarket (see below) and saw an even larger Christmas tree.
Sylvia's big bed with canopy
Papa and Dede look in on a 'sleeping' Sylvia
Watching a train circle a gingerbread village
Soldier Field
Downtown
Orchids in the greenhouse
Waterfall in the greenhouse
Sylvia posing in the greenhouse
We had a great trip to Mt. Hood National Forest and Portland last weekend. While we can’t quite claim it was relaxing, it was fun, beautiful, and a nice change of pace. We’ve culled through the 300 photos we took and picked some of our favorites. Most of them are from the Mt. Hood area where we stayed in a nice house on a river, drove through a lot of snow, and hiked in snow, rain, and hail. We saw mountains and waterfalls, and some of us even took an accidental dip in the frigid waters of the Zigzag River. We’ll let you guess which one that was by looking at the photos.
Enjoy:
We are in Portland today and tomorrow. This morning we spent time walking around downtown, visited Powell’s Bookstore, and purused the local outdoor market where we danced, ate a snack, and splashed in a fountain. Someone scored a new tutu there.
Chris | 
11 30th, 2009| 
