why do I do this to myself...

Wow. Here I am a month and a half later with maybe the biggest post yet. I think there are 118 pictures. So if you're interested, grab some egg nog, perhaps a slice of fruit cake, and here we go...

***

Back in early November Ben took Charlotte on a date to the circus. This is the only picture he took. As you can see, they had fantastic seats.

Right before our latest trip, Charlotte received her first piece of luggage. Her own princess carry-on. When we got to the airport to pick up our other luggage at the baggage claim, she'd set her hot pink carry-on on the carousel and had it go for a ride around the loop.

always making faces. always.

Riding to the park.

Playing on Daddy's phone.

more faces...

Back in November the three of us were lucky enough to go to Washington for the holidays. My parents paid for the three of us to fly nonstop (bless you). Charlotte and I went out about a week and a half before Ben came. He actually had 8 straight days off... awesome. We had so much fun going to Seattle,  the aquarium, eating amazing seafood, Pike's Market, going to the movie theater (Lincoln, Skyfall, Breaking Dawn), playing cards and board games, shopping, crafting, lounging, running in clean air amongst elevation, and having Charlotte be around family. That's probably the best part. 

Charlotte was lying down with her feet propped up and Ben snapped a picture. He told her to not move so he could snap a few more and she said very impatiently, "Ugh. Why am I doing this?" What is she, 13?

 Man, I wish Ben was home more. He loves to cook and bake. And he's gooood.

Our contribution to Thanksgiving was one pecan pie and candied yams. He made five pies: pecan, berry, pumpkin, key lime, and lemon meringue. Oh my goodness. Everyone talked about them for days.

We celebrated Charlotte's 3rd birthday a little early with my family.

Goofing off with cousins Adison and Hallie.

 Oh my. Her favorite. My mom got her a doctor baby doll.

My parent's dog Sophie.

 Playing dress up. Charlotte is still in love with Toy Story as you can see by her Woody costume.

What we do best: craft. So of course going to JoAnns and Hobby Lobby was in the itinerary.

 My little elf.

 Passed by this one day. It's my maiden name. You don't see or hear it all too often, hence, the picture being taken.

The aquarium.

 Resting on an otter... kind of creepy now that I see it...

  "Mom. Mom. Mom! Take a picture of me."

 Nope. Didn't pose her. 

 Buds.

 Once again. Didn't pose her or tell her to make any faces. She kept telling me to take this picture. And this picture... and this picture.

 I loved/love watching her take things in.

 I love seafood. Like love it. A lot. We made sure we had it a few times while in the Evergreen State.

I would almost move back there just for the fresh fish.

 Guess who else loves it?

Grilled salmon.

Yum.

Pike's Place Market

 Tromping through rainy Seattle.

 The kiddos. Including the homeless looking one in the middle.

 We got split up and I spotted him a ways away and took a picture right as we bumped into each other. 

Good picture huh?

"Uhhhhhhh...."

 My tiny. In a back alleyway in Sea-town.

 Eating a delicious fresh donut from the market.

 The gum wall. 

Disgusting right?

Random dinner at my grandma's house, but I had to put a shot in here of Cheryl (lady to the left).

She's my mom's older sister who we don't see very often.

But she's cool.

She lives in New Mexico at Ghost Ranch as an archaeologist.

 Okay, the pie picture from above is out of order.

 It took Ben all morning to whip these babies up. But he loved doing it.

Thanksgiving dinner was at my sister Carrie's new house.

My other sister Laura also has a brand new house.

And I have to say that both of my sisters and my mom have homes that should be featured in magazines. I feel like I'm walking through the pages of Better Homes and Garden or something while I'm there. 

The glorious food.

 Somehow Laura got stuck with the tiniest stool as a seat.

 Eating out somewhere.

Okay, back home now.

Charlotte's 3rd birthday.

That's right. I have a three year old now.

 Helping make her cake.

Chocolate cake with pink frosting.

"Cwotchet cake wif pink fwosting."

 Counting oranges and looking a little like Hitler with her chocolate lip.

 I took her to the library and zoo. At least I think I did. 

No. Nevermind, we went to the library, park, Costco, and came home for a nap.

Our goal was the zoo, but that didn't happen.

 We took her to Superdawgs since she wanted hot dogs for dinner.

It's been around since the 40's and is pretty famous around here.

 Chocolate malt. Deeeelicious.

 A firefighter was standing in line with us and chatted up a storm with her and gave her this patch and keychain. Super nice. Even if she was suffering from "stranger danger" and didn't make a peep.

 Once she blew out the candles, she got embarrassed and hid in Ben's lap.

 

 

A few weekends ago we tried to see Santa. 

Death grip.

She had asked to see my neck pillow one night in bed and used it the rest of the night.

The three of us went out to breakfast one morning.

She ate one bite of that blueberry muffin and that was it. 

I tried it and completely understood why.

 At the Oak Park library checking out travel books for our trip next month.

Charlotte was bored.

 That same weekend we took her out to Chili's for a birthday dinner.

She loved the brownie and ice cream they brought out to her.

Then we headed over to pick our tree. I miss living in the Evergreen State and chopping one down.

But here in Chicago, we headed to the parking lot next to Portillos and bought one from some men from Michigan.

Riding a horse at Costco.

What's Christmas without decorating a gingerbread house?

 The next night we couldn't find Charlotte and found her in the kitchen with half of the candy wedged in her mouth.

 That same night, a special delivery from the North Pole arrived.

 The elf on the shelf came.

A week after her birthday I brought cupcakes to preschool for her little buddies.

 And yes. All of her preschool buddies are boys. Five boys and Charlotte.

Hanging with daddy after a long day.

The reason I didn't throw Charlotte an elaborate birthday party.

Well, one reason.

Lady on the left (who is 8 months pregnant, but doesn't look it) is Caitlin. She's a new friend from St. Louis. One of my friend's and I threw her a baby shower last weekend. The theme was a vintage-school theme.

Think: g is for girl, vintage abc flashcard bunting, 40's-esque swag from my kitchen, paper lunch bag favors... it was pretty adorable. And I took 2 pictures. And not one of them have decorations in them. Dang it.

 Her mother and sister drove up from St. Louis for the party.

While I was at the baby shower, one of my friend's husbands took his kids and Charlotte to a super-hero themed birthday party.

 She was thrilled to dress up and had so much fun.

I can't believe she's old enough to go to birthday parties.

And here's where I'll end for the night.

She's so adorable.

Definitely my tiny best friend.