Here are some highlights from Christmas 2011.

- Thursday. Took my nieces and nephew to Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier. We went ice skating and rode on some of the rides. I nearly lost my breakfast on the Tilt-O-Whirl (never again!).

Afterwards, we baked cookies and opened some Christmas presents.

- Friday. Got a festive manicure with my BFF at Mojo Spa. Holiday cocktail included.

Then Ryan and I packed up the car (and Maddux) and headed out to suburbia to spend the weekend with his family.

- Saturday. Took Maddux for a run. The weather was perfect, sunny and shockingly warm for Christmas Eve.

We spent the evening at Ryan’s aunt and uncle’s house in another suburb.

Rowdy Polish family. The Polka was busted out at some point that night.

- Sunday. We spent Christmas morning at Ryan’s parent’s house. Opened presents and had breakfast before hitting the road for Iowa.

Maddux got some good loot from Santa.

To be continued…