Visit from the Botkins

Today our friends from Houston came into town to visit us. The husband is from a suburb of Chicago so we get to see them at least once a year when they come for a visit.

We took the kids to the Nature Museum. Their little girl is just 9 days older than Maddi and is so adorable!

We started in the parasite exhibit...

 Owen playing with head lice

 

Then we moved on to the butterfly exhibit. I tried out the macro focus on my camera which took lots of nice butterfly photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As always, the turtles were a hit.

Played with birdies, listened to music and made an instrument in the activity room.

Listened to story time in the tree house.

 

 

Checked out the scenery.

And we ended the morning in the water exhibit which the girls loved!!!!

 

 

 

After the museum we went out to lunch and then hung out a bit at our house. It was SO GREAT to see them!!!!

At night we played with our new tub toys and Owen practiced going under water!

Even More Christmas Fun

Back home in Chicago, it was time to open our family gifts as well as the gifts from Papo and Nonna Barbara and Maddi's God-family. For those of you keeping track, this is round 5.

First the kids opened their presents from Florida via Skype.

Then we opened family gifts.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly we opened presents from Jen, Todd and Lucas. Jen is Maddi's Godmother and was so nice to send gifts for the kids!

 

 

 

Not sure Walli was that excited though...

Our family is so blessed to have great family and friends and the kids are so spoiled but it's wonderful!!!!!

More Christmas Fun

The morning after Christmas we headed up to my Mom's where we had present opening Round 4.

Maddi posing before we left in her adorable Christmas dress from Papo and Nonna Barbara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the next few days we just hung out and relaxed, it was wonderful. We did get my mom hooked up with HD access, a DVR and an iPhone. Technology for Gigi!!!

Gigi and Owen reading the 3D bug book

 

Today we drove back through Toledo on our way to Chicago to have some lunch with Pat and Jim. It was a nice break. What a great time we had this week!

As an aside, here is our Christmas card for this year. Turned out so cute:)