Happy Halloween - 2012

Riley did this on her own. 

Hannah's costume.  The one on top was taken about a month ago, when she first got the costume.  The one on bottom was taken on Halloween.  

Me and my sister.  I miss her.  

Round 1.  We headed out a little after 4 pm.  Trick or treating hours lasted from 4 to 8 here.  That's the longest I've ever seen but it's kinda nice to head out before it gets frigid.  

Ready to go

And she's off

Me and the bear. 

The Griswold's House.  Or so one would think.  

I have never seen a house so decorated for Halloween.  Really.  You can't walk through their front yard.  But I like it.  I think it's great they are so into Halloween.  

Insert dinner break.  We had chili.  And Hannah got to hand out some candy, which she really enjoyed doing.  

Round 2, after dinner.  It took a minute for her to get back into it.  We explained that trick or treating in the dark is much better than going out during the day.  

Riley, all bundled up.  She enjoyed being out, babbling and smiling most of the night.  

Cherry Grappa and Coffee, a quasi cafe correcto.  It was quite yummy.  And I forgot how cold I was.  Okay, who am I kidding, I didn't forget anything, I just didn't care as much.  

Hanging in there.  

Hannah was super excited to go to this house because she liked the decorations.  

I liked this.  

By the end of the night, she was dragging her candy bag.  But she still wanted to keep going. 

End of the night candy inspection.  Also known as let's see what you got and what I want! 

David explaining something to Hannah.  Who knows what it was.  

Riley found a lollipop she enjoyed.  

Then Riley propped herself in the middle of Hannah's candy and played with it.  

It was a great night.  Hannah was more into this year than last.  She enjoyed being out at night, and seeing all the lights and decorations are they are intended to be seen.  And we had fun.  Aunt Debbie lives in a great neighborhood for trick or treating.  They have nice, wide streets and sidewalks everywhere.  It was obvious that a lot of people from around here travel to this neighborhood to go trick or treating.  

Arriving: Chicago & Naperville

Thursday afternoon, I loaded up the girls into the Business Class car on an Amtrak train and we headed to Chicago.  My decision to change to first class was made at the last minute and I am so glad I did!  I intend to go first class anytime I'm on the train.  It made such a difference with the girls because there was so much more space.

I actually got my own seat, since the girls were small enough to share one.  Riley's face in this one

cracks me up.  

We had a small delay of 30 minutes.  This is right before our backup into Union Station.  

Hannah looked out the window for the last 30 minutes of the ride.  

There was a small delay in David getting to us also.  So what does a person do, at 9:30 p.m. in Union Station with two small kids.  They get ice cream.  Or TCBY if you're a stickler.  

Yesterday, I spent the day in downtown Naperville with Aunt Debby, Carolyn, Will and Emma.  

Hannah, Will and Debby looking in the fountain.  

Hannah's hair is so long!  I forgot how long it is because it's in a braid so much.  

Will and Hannah, in front of the fountain.  

I pushed Riley into the flowers so she could play with them.  

A few flowers were sacrificed.  

We walked around, did a lot of window shopping.  Picked up some cupcakes from Sugar Monkey Cupcakes.  After dinner, Debby, Carolyn and I went back downtown and walked around.  I picked up a shirt from White House Black Market.  It was the first time I had ever been in this store.  They've got nice, dressier type clothing.  What I found most interesting is that nothing wowed me on the hanger, but then when I saw it on myself, or Carolyn or Debby, it totally wowed me.  Then we sat in front of the river and had our cupcakes and wine in celebration of Mother's Day.  The cupcakes are fantastic.  I had a chocolate cherry cupcake.  It was phenomenal, especially the icing.  And I'm not an icing person, I normally scrape it right off.  All in all, it was a pretty fabulous day.