You are all Winners in my Book!

January 1st is Terry's Birthday.  He turned 58 this year.  He has an identical twin brother.  So it was quite the surprise to his mom back 58 years ago to have not only one new years baby but two.

To celebrate his birthday we went into the city of Chicago to Lawry's Prime Rib House which is the old McCormick Mansion in the city of Chicago.  We love to dine in this beautiful place.  Yummy and beautiful.  Right around the corner is the American Girl Doll Store so Abby was excited this year to make a visit to the AG store on our trip down town too.  It was a fun afternoon and evening yesterday.

Abby got her first American Girl Doll Grace this year from Santa.  She got some gift cards for Christmas so she also adopted Julie to take home.  Each girl comes from a different era and a story book of their life during this time.  Grace is Lives in Paris France and Julie is from the 70's.  As you can see behind Abby she has some groovy clothes and lots of fun things that reflect the 70's.  That is when I was a teen and I could relate to a lot of things Julie has going on.  You cannot see it but Julie has white go go boots on behind Abby.  I remember having white go go boots in the 70's.  Oh how I loved those boots!!!! I also had a banana seat bike too like Julie's.  Is it wrong that I want to have this doll lol!

My youngest daughter Kim works as an pediatric oncology nurse for Lurie's Children's hospital in Chicago. Lurie's Children's hospital is just one block away from where we were going to dinner.  

Terry got to sit in the actual real fire truck on one of the play room floors for the children.  I think he was having more fun in the fire truck than the kids do.  They have these really unique rooms for the kids to go to and play and there are no meds, shots, treatments done while they are in these safe haven rooms.

It is a place for them to go and have peace and fun away from the cancer treatments.  Nurses and doctors are not allowed to go in these safe havens while the kids are taking time outs in there.

This is Lawry's where we went for our yummy dinner.

Just an old beautiful mansion with the prettiest woodwork.

Charming old style dining room.

Would you look at that fabulous staircase and oh that chandelier just makes your heart beat a little faster!  If you live near the city of Chicago or ever plan a trip here this is a perfect place for beautiful architecture and yummy prime rib.

They carve your prime rib right at your table.  So delicious.

Here we are at dinner with Abby.  

Abby and her Aunt Kim our youngest daughter.

Tim our SIL, Abby and our daughter Jen.

Terry and I got a pic of us in front of the beautifully decorated mansion that is the Lawry's restaurant.  Just gorgeous in this old mansion.  It was a fun afternoon and evening to celebrate Terry birthday with our family.

Now on to the Give Away Winners.

Thank you for leaving your sweet comments on the give away.  I wish I had one of these cute wine purses for each of you.

I just threw all the names into a packing box lol!!! and drew out two names.

Here they are:

Rhonda A little bit French

Jane from Blondies Journal

Congrats girls!

Please email me with your address and I will get these off to you.  I am up to my eyeballs in moving boxes and bubble wrap.  Hoping to have some news to share with you soon.

Have a great week as we venture on into this wonderful 2016.  Keeping hope alive in our hearts is always a good thing.

Hugs,

Kris

:)