The Parrillo Family

Christmas morning this year was a unique one!  Sure...there were presents.  And coffee cake.  And tears when there were no more presents to open.  But...the venue had changed! We were lucky to wake up Christmas Day out in Naperville where we were joined by a very merry and full house.  Grammy and Granddad were there, but so were the Foxes and all the Moranimals.  While it wasn't exactly 'on tradition', it is certainly a Christmas morning that we won't soon forget. We were so fortunate to have a great place to celebrate and be surrounded by family.  Ellie in particular loved being in the middle of so much activity. Santa found out where the kids were staying and made sure to drink his eggnog and eat some of his treats.  He also left a note! Nothing says Christmas morning like matching pajamas, right? The girls loved having Grammy and Granddad there when they opened their presents.  This was *way* better than the normal Goo...

One of my most vivid holiday memories from my childhood was our annual trip to the Walnut Room at Marshall Field's on State Street.  Back in my childhood, my mom would take us over to Richton Park and get us on the electric train.  Often times we'd go with the Pawlaks.  I remember riding the train, hanging out at the station and then going to see the HUGE tree in the Walnut Room followed by a visit to see Santa.   On the way home, my mom always allowed us to stop at Woolworth's across from Marshall Field's and I would get a G.I. Joe.  No idea why coming home with a G.I. Joe sticks out in my memory so much, but it does. The tradition has been one that my Mom and sisters have been diligent about continuing and this year was no different.  Well...it was *a little* different with the Swiss Family Marini coming in from Europe for it.  So that made it a bit more special.  Our big group was (finally) seated at the long wine bar and the line for ...

Right before the holidays, sister Sadie had her 'capstone' ballet performance where her class got all dressed up in their holiday best and put on a little show for the parents.  Sadie was so excited to show off her moves and she did a great job! From the archives, here's a post showing video of Eloise at one of her ballet performances . And we were lucky enough for Noonie to join Sadie for the performance. Sadie loves all activities, but there's something about ballet that she really loves! Here's some video of her moving around!

Right after Thanksgiving, the Morans' hosted a wedding shower for Charlie and Sasha out in Naperville.  It was Paris-themed, and in typical Moran-party-fashion, Dianne, Natalie and Elise did a bang-up job with the decor and food. Eloise played the part of hostess well.  She always does.  She was up front, welcoming guests 'to Paris'.  With her beret, flag and mustache! Ellie wanted to make sure she had a photo with the bride-to-be, Sasha! The happy couple. In addition to the sign you see above (wow...what a sign!), Ellie made her own chalkboard sign that says "Welcome to Paris" that was prominently displayed in the front hall. The Rostans showed up strong for the shower! Here's Noonie and Grampy Ray: Sasha and Molly: A big contingent of Moranimals and two Silvers.   Look at those 'staches! And even Frank got in on the action.  I brought him over to the shower as it wound down.  He found a good sp...

One of our traditions is to spend New Year's Eve up in Michigan as a family.  We've done it since we were married and now as a family of five, we are having more fun each year. In addition to watching the ball drop on YouTube (from last year because we do it at 9 pm.  Shhsh!  Let's not tell the girls that fact.), we also eat ice cream.  And the girls make a "Happy New Year" video. Here's the first one that Eloise created back on NYE 2011 .  It is awfully cute. And below is this year's version featuring both Ellie and Sadie :