Toy Story 3 on Ice

We took Elena to her first ice show yesterday...Toy Story 3 on Ice. She liked it although she kept thinking there was going to be a movie, and was a bit bothered when there was no screen to watch it...we really had to convince her that this was a little different. In the end she really had fun with it all and said the best part was when Buzz defeats the evil Zurg. I think Eric's and mine was the part where the green army men came out - they "flew" them in and everything! We want to thank Kathy and Dave for the great idea, and we had fun being with them and with Amanda and Ron as well. :)

Avon Walk For Breast Cancer Kick Off!

This weekend is the Great Start Party for Chicago's Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. You'll get to sign up early, learn more about team formation, and much, much more! Find out more at:





http://www.avonwalk.org/

Hope to see you there!

Da Bears!

Elena had Spirit Day at school on Friday to cheer on the Chicago Bears. It was exciting and fun, although a bit trying, considering we had to convince Elena that we were not going to Chicago Friday to cheer for bears...although, I imagine that would be rather amusing. ;) I think she has taken quite a liking to trips to Chicago. I can't blame her. ;)

It's Miss America Time!

It's that time of year again to crown a new lucky lady to be Miss America. And still as old as I am, when the show starts, I feel that little girl in me creep out and wish to wear the shoes, walk the runway, and achieve the dream. Seems pretty silly in light of true life and in light of eternity. Those crowns will tarnish and fade away, and all we will have is the crowns we will get to leave at Jesus' feet if we know and trust Him. I am grateful for everlasting, true, meaningful crowns. There is still and will always be that part of me that appreciates the "sparkles" we have on earth, and the excitement that comes with competing in a pageant. Good luck to all the ladies tonight!

Crowns are:

My one and only Miss America Local crown

And a gift...the replica of Mrs. America's crown after my year as Mrs. Illinois was over...because I will always be Mrs. America in my husband's eyes. :)

Zajicek Family Christmas Picture...

Minus our ill ones - Jon, Shannon and little Jack. We need to photo shop them in!

Snow!

We spent Monday morning out in the brand new snow...really too powdery for a snow man, so we made a snowman pyramid...sort of! Then SNOWBALL FIGHT!!! Afterward, it was time to warm up and dry off before school. Of course, it would not be complete without hot cocoa and whipped cream!

Cheesecake Factory!

Good food with new friends! Thanks Andria, Vicki, Victor and Al! :) Yep, I'm with former Miss Texas Teen USA and Miss New Mexico Teen USA...aren't they still as beautiful as ever?!?! What's neat is that they are so beautiful from the inside as well as out!

More Pictures

Yeah, that's a TV in the bathroom...I used that! :)

Headed to Chicago!

I had a friend I made through pageantry come into Chicago this weekend that I was going to get to meet in person for the first time, so we decided to make a family trip of it to stay in the city for the weekend. Elena was all too thrilled to go "swimming" in the tub! They had a fun daddy-daughter date night, and I got to meet Vicki "Vale" in person, former Miss New Mexico Teen USA, along with her good friends, Andria, former Miss Texas Teen USA, and fellow Chicagoans, Victor and Al. We enjoyed dinner at Cheesecake Factory and drinks after being joined with Andria's boyfriend, Daniel. Thank you for a great night everyone, and thank you to Daniel for treating us very well while out as well!

We'll have a couple post for this! :)

Glad to be Home!

Diva and Elena were glad to be reunited, and Diva was glad to be back in her comfy places...

Horses in the Yard!

We stayed with John and Chellie after picking Elena up from being away, and so we got to visit with them and see their new home. One of the neat things about it is that they have horses that will come right up to their back yard! The girls had a lot of fun feeding the horses carrots! So sweet! Thanks, John and Chell! Love you!

WIIIILLLLLDDDD TURKEYS

I still believe these fellows...or maybe a couple, of sorts... were thinking of ways to get into the spa...''S'cuse me, Miss...what can you do for my scaly legs?!?!"

And a New...

Fireplace...nice...

New Lamps!

We had a couple additions to the house when we returned...new lamps...

Skies on the Way Home

There were some neat clouds to see on the way home...

And More Photos Again

Dinner and Ball Rooms

We love the special romantic dinner we have at the Wisconsin Room and getting to look at the Ball rooms in the American Club, so here's photos from that...the fondue course of the meal, the Wisconsin Room, the Chandeliers, and hallways...yes, I'll have a couple post for these, too....we have a special affection for the long hallway of the ballroom corridor, because Elena has played a few "concerts" for us on the grand piano at the end of one. I have every intention of getting my mom up there to play one of my favorite pieces on that...and she knows which one it is! ;)

And More Kohler

More Kohler