An Urban Winter

An urban winter scene from our balcony. Behind that cloudy white sky, lurks the Sear's Tower in all it's skyscraper glory.

We ended up having a pretty nice stay in Chicago. The weather did not fail to live up to its reputation of "bitterly cold". Apparently it was negative 24 in the suburbs the day after we left. Which was hard to imagine stepping off the plane into 80 degree sunny San Diego weather!

While we were in Chicago, we celebrated Pete's 39th birthday with our friends Jeremy, Cathy, and Hope who came out for a healthy dose of winter. The six of us had a great time venturing out into the city while it was snowing.

Although we are happy to be home, it really is a treat to be able to be in Chicago when it is in its winter prime. Snow covered sidewalks and trees really made the whole "getting dressed to go outside" ordeal worth every minute and tear. (Hey, it's not so comfortable being stuffed into a snow suit when you're a little baby.).

Time to relax! We were able to get a sitter one night and enjoy some chops at Gibson's and drinks at Tavern on Rush and The Chop House. (Never mind the crazy loop of hair on the left side of my head. They don't call this place the "windy city" for nothing!)

A Long Day's Journey Into Winter

Did you ever get our postcard?

Cathy and the Authentic Icicles


I thought this picture would come in handy one day when Wyatt's a teenager. I can always say to him, "When you were a baby, I pushed you UPHILL through the snow!"

Our Bean Meets the Bean

Millenium Park Iceskaters

We had just finished our Super Duper Axles with a Twist and wanted to take a moment to get a photo.

Apparently we need to get the fire alarm batteries checked. Believe it or not, this event did not set them off. Seriously though, would you ever guess this man is 39? He doesn't even use an eye cream! Life is so unfair!

We had a quiet little New Year's Eve at home this year. It was nice-cooked dinner and gave our little Bubba a cuddle before he went down for the night. I think he may have made it up for New Year's somewhere in the world.

Cruising the city New Year' Day with Dad

"I can't get my arms down!"

A New Year

Chicago-Wyatt's first first day of a new year. Walking around downtown, with the holiday lights still up on Michigan Avenue, the 30 degree weather didn't seem quite so cold to our little bubba as he snoozed away in his stroller, completely Christmas Storied out in his little down snow suit.

Christmas Eve

We had so much fun celebrating Christmas with our family at my mom and dad's. Wyatt didn't make it up for the present opening extravaganza. He did, however, discover the Christmas tree.

It's been a tradition in our family since I can't remember when, to open the presents from our families on Christmas Eve. It's a bit of a Euro tradition, as well as it was a strategy for my parents to attempt to keep their sanity from the constant begging from Erich and I to open "just one more" before we went to bed. After a full night of paper tearing and new toys galore, we were always able to muster up enough energy to open Santa's treats the next morning. Things haven't changed much.

Wyatt, you thought that angel was cool? Wait until you get the whole present thing figured out!

Love, you are going to love it!

My brother (Erich) recently graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Pete and I took a road trip up there to visit him and check out the scene. Great campus! Now, we as a family, are a very camera shy bunch, but there is always time to celebrate The Degree! Congrats Erich.

What would Christmas be without baby cuddles? Thanks Rachel and Heidi.