Our first Xmas as a married couple we started our voyage to Hinsdale on the Eve of Jesus' B-day to Aims' Aunt and Uncle house (Mark and Gail). The first of several holiday trips that we made, strap in babe were goin for some rides!




And then to Palatine for papa Bears 60th Birhtday! What a good time Skyping with the Cali-Gapss brings a huge smile to popps face.. To see Isella its awesome. weird with out you guys here. Cali-Gapps were missed!








and then to the Dowiarzs' in elmhurst on Xmas day lots of presents and laughs... Cubs Sox rivalry, and the new puppy Sun Dance. AKA Sunny D-








Back to Palatine to the Ryskes and my head is spinning


Say cheese everyone.... Uhmm Dad whats up with your hand? Just askin


Home sweet city home sorta?


Our real tree was nice and full like the Griswalds.. With less sap

and now? This tree is tellin us that we need to not have a live one maybe?

it looks a little sick-

Oye not a single needle left. Fake tree from now on. Im sick about it- But why have the hastle- I just love the smell. and dread the clean up... 2 hours. Fa la la la la la la laaaaaaaaaaa!

XMAS Present

This week we attempted to fix the ceiling where the water came through the day of the wedding. However when we opened up the ceiling we discovered that the water was still coming in. So we have to wait til the snow melts to fix the leak properly and the dry wall stays off too. JOY TO THE WORLD!

Its nice because now it actually snows in our living room and with the tree being there now its so festive-

Our tree looking good

Monday night Bears vs. Packers and we won in OT. Nice! Playoffs are still possible if the vikes lose and we beat the texans and a partridge in a pear tree-

Decking the Halls

Last sunday The Cali- Gapps were in to celebrate Christmas and Popps 60th B-day. We had brunch with he family at my parents in the morn and after some of us went downtown to see the lights and windows at Macy's formery Marshall Fields and come by our house for pizza.









We stopped at the Daily center and posed for some pics by the tree.


Popps opens up his 60th Birthday present... An APPLe laptop

Then we ate pizza and hung out

Trimmin the Tree

This year Aim and I have a real tree. Our comprimise since she did not want to cut one down(which I thought would be fun)is I could pick it out. But her circumstance was that if I pick it we can only have white lights.... DEAL! We blasted some holiday music put on our Elf hats and trimmed our first Christmas tree as a married couple.


Here is an action shot of my little helper in the background... Whats up with her ear it looks a little outta place

The final accessory... The star on the top

What a beautiful result

Giving Thanks

As Thanksgiving is upon us once again Aim and I give thanks that we can split the holiday between our families!

Our old roomie

Would you care for a noogie with your mashed potatoes?

Dr. D operates on the bird with a electric knife that they recieved as a wedding present over 34 years ago!

Big D with his girls

After Elmhurst we took the trip out to the Timmons'to hang with the Gapastione side. A house filled with kids, dogs, and enough food to feed an army. These little cuties were at the door to greet us

Uncle Cook assumed the Thankgiving position and carved up the bird



Aim hung out with the kiddies and got a fair share of wrestling tips from Peyton who is scheduled to be in 3 tournaments coming up

Popp talks to AJ and Isella

The Coop looking cool for the camera