Team Schmidt

What a lovely Sunday. We just got home from Thanksgiving dinner round three (none of which I had to cook-score) with some friends at the Bill's house. I spent the morning lounging in bed and cuddling with the kids while Sam did most of the parenting. Church was great. There were three baby blessings and two wonderful talks on service. It was so perfect to hear those words before heading into the Christmas season. I'm already getting too caught up with the secular things (like which electronic device to get for the man), and it was nice to be reminded about what is really important.  

We had a fantastic, relaxing Thanksgiving week. I am feeling especially thankful for the wonderful friends we are making during our time in Evanston. The Mr. had the whole week (!) off from school, and we enjoyed every second having him home. Parker was in baseball (and football, and golf, and basketball) heaven. That kid sure loves playing sports with his daddy. Monday night we had a sleepover in the family room and watched Cars 2, but not until the boys got some jumping in (something we don't let them do when our mattress is on the bed)!

Tuesday was a free day at Shedd Aquarium, so we went down with some friends to make faces at the fish. 

Wednesday night the LDSSA hosted a pie night with 7 different kinds of pies!  My favorite was a toss up between the french silk & triple berry.  Or maybe the pumpkin caramel.  

Thanksgiving morning we took the train into the city with the Jacksons & Marshes to see the Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Woot!  .  

Apparently the Chicago parade is the 2nd biggest Thanksgiving parade in the country. They even had some big balloons floating down State Street. We were laughing, though, that our kids didn't recognize most of them because they are so old (Garfield, Rocky & Bullwinkle). Where's Phineas & Ferb?  We left early to beat the crowds onto the El so we didn't see Santa, but we'll be hitting him up later this month fo sho.  

This band was invited to play at the Olympics in London next year!

We are so lucky to be in Chicago, especially at Kellogg where we have met the most fantastic people who we love hanging out with.  Since we can't be with family, they are definitely the next best thing!