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New Years Eve 2007

Our neighbors invited us to celebrate New Year's Eve with them this year. Since Gitte, the hostess is from Germany, we were treated to a very European style new Year's Eve. For dinner, we had Raclette--a kind of Swiss cheese, but also a process somewhat like fondue where each person heats their food and/or cheese on an electric grill in the center of the table.


Later, the kids ushered in the New Year (a bit early) with sparklers, Roman candles, glow necklaces and kiddy champagne.

We made it almost to midnight, but the kids were starting to loose their composure, so we shuffled across the street through the newly fallen snow to wtch the Chicago countdown on t.v. it was Joey's first time staying up until midnight.

Zoo Lights

Another of our family traditions is a visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Zoo Lights display every year. The zoo is all decked out in lights for the holidays. It's a beautiful sight on a cold winter night.

Christmas Day 2007

On Christmas morning, the boys ran down the stairs with their usual enthusiasm. The boys really took their time opening presents this year--they seemed to enjoy each and every gift they received.






Unfortunately, I was enjoying the day so much, that I failed to take many photos!

Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Eve 2007

This was a very special Christmas Eve--our first with Lily Rose! Lily was a trooper and stayed up until all of the presents were opened.

Aunt Kathy, Uncle Vic and Uncle Mike came to join us for the evening.

Thanks for the bus Grandpa! I love it!

The boys (and now Lily too) receive a pair of pajamas every year on Christmas Eve from Mom and Dad (another tradition carried over from my childhood). Here they are in their 2007 jammies:

Okay, I may need to throw the whole "jammie theme" out the window as Joey is getting older!

It was a wonderful evening with lots of laughs and lots of noise!

Downtown Chicago at Christmastime

Every year at Christmastime, our family takes a trip to downtown Chicago to soak in the sights and sounds of the season. This is a tradition I had as a child--one that I chose to continue for my own children. The details of our visit rarely change: a trip to and dinner at Macy's (and usually a few last minute gift purchases), a look at the "Big Tree" from the 7th floor, a visit with the Macy's Santa (only the years the kids insist), a walk outside to see the animated windows at Macy's (done in reverse order this year), a trip to the tree and train at Daley Plaza and finally a quick snack of sugared almonds. We might add something to these stops, but rarely will we skip a stop.

This year, the kids DID want to see Santa. Unfortunately, the elves and the gremlins must have been fighting because the photo gremlins stole our photo. We could have done a retake, but Lily wasn't up for another sit on the funny man's lap.