Christmas with McLarens

At the Como Zoo conservatory.

Annual Christmas with the Pearsons.

Mom preparing a steak dinner and Berlin watching patiently:)

Christmas Eve.

Grandma and her BFF Macy.

Siblings on Christmas Eve.

8 Years!

This December Ben and I celebrated 8 years of marriage. It was a fun day catching up with friends in Minnesota and then heading out that night to the Bachelor Farmer restaurant in Minneapolis...where we have been wanting to go to since it opened.

Anniversary breakfast, flowers and a card from Bruce and Marnee. 

Heading out to dinner.

Delicious dinner!

Christmas with the Brandenburgs

Macy's 8th floor with the family...Ben photo bombing the kids shot.

Headed to lunch at the Swedish Institute...I had to!

Mom and Judson met up with us for lunch.

The guys.

Family Christmas photo:)

The Brandenburgs.

After a morning of seeing the Terracotta Warriors exhibit we headed to Punch Pizza and then Caribou coffee to celebrate Jodi's birthday with a delicious princess cake.

A Philly Christmas

The week before Christmas we headed out with our friends Sheryl and Dave for a day of experiencing Philadelphia's Christmas activities. Here are a few photos from the day.

Pregnant friends at the train stop.

First stop...Macy's Christmas show.

Then to the Christmas Village in LOVE park.

Ben shopping the village.

LOVE park Christmas Village.

Paul, Jodi and Gavin Visit

Ben and I were excited to have Ben's brother Paul in town for work these last 2 weeks. This meant Jodi and our newest nephew Gavin came for a bit too. It was fun to have them around for an extended period of time rather then the quick visits we usually have.

Gavin was fascinated by Berlin.

They brought some delicious German Gluhwein to share.

I took Jodi and Gavin to my favorite lunch spot in Philly...the URBN headquarters.

All of us:)

Our Christmas Tree

On Black Friday Ben and I had lunch in the city and then went to get our Christmas tree...our usual Black Friday tradition. Here are a few fun photos from the day.

Lunch at the delicious Garces Trading Company.

Finding the 'perfect' tree.

Berlin helping Ben.

Ben getting the decorations down from the attic.

Our tree...and the gifts ready for the trip to Minnesota. You can see our boots were out in anticipation for St. Nicholaus' visit on December 6th.

Toni Visits the Midwest

In the beginning of November I headed home for a girl's weekend. My mom, sister, aunt, grandma and I spent a fun weekend in the surprisingly exciting town of Des Moines, Iowa. So many fun memories. I was also able to see a few friends and have a baby shower while I was home. Here are a few photos from the long weekend.

A morning visit with Heidi, Wyatt and Gretchen.

Our first night in Des Moines we had dinner at Jake's house...fun night!

Mom and I at the Des Moines Art Center.

All of the ladies at our B & B.

Back in Minnesota a few of my mom's friends threw a shower for me.

Lots of fun decor.

Mom helping me out with my luggage.