Category Archives: Holidays

A NEW YEAR, NEW FUN!

Happy New Year to everyone!  2014 is bringing in many new and exciting experiences for us all!  To begin with, we had negative temperatures far lower than I could ever imagine, or at least want to experience (-45 wind chill – burrrrrrrrr!), which caused several days of hibernating at home for me and my family.  It was nice for a while, but by the third day we were all getting a little stir crazy in our small condo.  It’s great to get back into our daily routine.

Soon I will be sharing with you a new:

LIFESTYLES PHOTO SHOOT PACKAGE
 
It’s something that I’ve actually done for a long time, by telling your story through photographs, but I’m pulling it all together as a package that you can make choices from AND it will help me to get to know you a little better! More details to come soon!
 

Blessings in 2014 to all!

 

ipod time

 

 

soccer fun

 

listening to music

 

 

reading, wherever

 

Thanksgivikkah in Chicago

A few weeks ago my son and I heard on NPR that the next time Thanksgiving and Hanukkah fall on the same day it will be in 79,000 years.  He found this information fascinating and shared his Public Radio information throughout that weekend with any and everyone that would listen.

So my husband’s family is split on religious terms.  His dad celebrates Christmas, but his stepmom and her family celebrate Hanukkah.  As you probably know, usually the two holidays are celebrated in the month of December, but this year Hanukkah was in November, so we had a dual Thanksgiving and Hanukkah celebration, Thanksgivikkah.  Turkey for lunch and dreidel playing and the lighting of candles in the evening. 

Our combined families, that come from as far as California, has now grown to over 20 people getting together for Thanksgiving.  This year we all met at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Chicago…one of my favorite large cities.  We had a fabulous time, although unfortunately I was very ill much of the time.  I did however get in a few hundred photographs before heading back to Michigan. 

A night view from our city view room.

 
 
 
Cousins having fun at Shedd Aquarium.

 
 
 
Lakeside view from Grandpa and Grandma’s room.

 
 
 
 
Playing hide in the pillow fort in the big bed.

 
 
Thanksgiving day lunch in a private room at the Sofital Hotel.

 
Z chose an untraditional TG dinner, steak and French fries off the kids menu.

 
 
More Sofital.

 
 
View from the Sofitel.

 
 
Ummm…dessert!

 
 
Breakfast with a view.

 
 
Our hotel was so beautifully decorated for the Christmas season.

 
 
A sneak peak of the playroom.

 
 
Grandma’s fun menorah.

 
 
Cousins on their way to the famed Home Alone 2 pool.

 
 
A beautiful church across the street from our hotel.

 
 
The shops connected to our hotel…very nice.

 
 
More of the church across the street.

 
 
 
The famed Water Tower.

 
 
 
I love the horse and carriages!

 
 
 
Packed and time to go home after lunch.

 
 
What’s the score dad?

 
 
 
Inside the 900 Shops mall.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving and if you celebrate Hanukkah, happy, happy to you too!