Christmas Eve!!

Rick and I hosted Christmas Eve this year and we had a wonderful time!

Alex by the downstairs tree--he was taking a break from playing the Wii.

Finishing preparing for dinner--me, my dad, Rick, and Gail

Dinner Time! The best attempt we could make at fitting everyone in the picture.

Rick and me! I bought a new apron for the holidays--trying to make myself seem like more of a real chef! :)


Close up!


And one more with Alex


Hurckes Family Picture

Jackie, Rick, and Cindy

Opening presents was chaotic this year. Alex was finally interested in the presents and wanted to open EVERYONES!! We made it through and then had a chance to enjoy our gifts and the company.




Alex got a policeman helmet and controller (I can't remember the real name). It talked to you, but he didn't quite understand yet.


But Carlo enjoyed trying it on!

And so did Gail!

Jackie with her new hat!

We got Alex a Cat in the Hat book. He loved it because it had pictures from the movie. Jackie loved it because she won't have just watch specific parts of the movie anymore--he can look in the book!

Lighting the Hannukah Candles! (and then moving them to a safer location so they wouldn't get knocked over)!

Grandma and Alex!

Mommy and Alex!!

Auntie Katie and Alex!

This is when the night got awkward--Cindy started asking Gail about her boyfriend. Jackie and I had to leave.

Finally, Andrea and Sinan arrived. Andrea's flights were canceled and Rick had to play travel agent to get her home on Christmas Eve, but it worked and she made it by about 8pm! Her and Sinan (her friend from Amsterdam and Turkey) at dinner and then opened their presents!

This is the look that Andrea gives Sinan and vice versa when she is explaining an American tradition or English word.

Alex's Christmas with Pa "Tough Guy"

Before we went to the zoo a couple weeks ago Alex celebrated Christmas with Jack since he couldn't be here on Christmas Eve. Here are a few pictures that I got from Jackie this past weekend!

Pa and Alex wearing the packaging from the new toaster oven on their heads!

Alex with his new tool set!

Alex got a train set from Pa and Anita. He has wanted this since August. When Jack was sick Jackie told him about it and he said he would get it for Alex for Christmas. So, finally, Alex got his train set!

Geotrax is who makes this train set. They have a lot of cool attachments and also an airplane that Alex got from his other grandparents.

Rick being goofy!

Chocolate Covered Pretzels!

I had a lot of fun making the chocolate covered candycanes so I made pretzels today! Here are a few pictures!

Happy Hannukah!

Night 1! Happy Hannukah!

Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic

Our weekend was supposed to be spent at O'WICH, but we recieved a lot of snow and the decisino was made that we would stay home. Since we didn't go up, Cindy and Carlo came home early. So, Rick and I went to Cicero early Saturday morning to shovel before they got home. The snow was heavy and wet-very difficult to move. We spend much time trying to get the snow blower out of the shed, then trying to turn it now. We were not successful so we did it by hand.

When we finished we went to Jack's for an early Christmas celebration between Jackie, Alex, Jack, and Anita. Alex loves presents this year (this is the first year he has really cared)! Alex got an awesome train set from his grandpa. Rick and Alex put it together and had a great time. The pictures are on Jackie's camera so if you want to see them you will have to go here.

After Christmas we went back to Cicero to get ready to go to the zoo. On Decemeber evenings the zoo is open with events going on. We didn't see many animals, but we had a great time. It was chilly, but there was a light snow. We were so glad we could share this evening with our family!

The Elf Express!!

So Cute!!

Rick likes this one!

Mother and son!

Over exposed because I didn't use a flash, but it is kind of a neat picture of Alex and Jackie.

Alex is petting a guniea pig.

Watering the plants!

There is an area where you can pretend to be a vet. Alex is cleaning the bears nose.

Checking for his mom's heartbeat!

A classic Hurckes photo. Rick is winking and the looks of his mom and sister are priceless.

There were a lot of mascots at the entrances of the zoo.
Alex loved them and they gave hugs and waved! He was in heaven!






Alex had a cookie while we waited in line for Santa and Mrs. Clause. You can also see some ketchup on his face. He ate the ketchup from a packet off my finger. When you are hungry, you're hungry!

Family Picture!

Alex and Rick were racing! I love this picture!

The ducks were one of few real animals we saw while at the zoo last night.

Tough Guy!!

Jack is referred to as "Pa-tough guy" because we pounds his chest. Whenever Alex gets hurt you can yell "tough guy" so that he doesn't cry. Rick and Alex were pretending to fall in the snow on the way to they car. When Rick would fall, Alex would yell "tough guy" and Rick would pound his chest! It was very cute.

Alex helping Rick off the ground.

The dolphin was at the gate as we were leaving. Alex and him were clapping and spinning in circles. Alex would have stood there all night!

Rick and me!

Alex and me! Even though he has a funny face, my eyes are open!