Happy New Year

Well, I never posted this entry in which I shared about New Years Eve and posted pictures (in random order) of the rest of our week with Eliser. So, here you go. I'll start the blog with a Christmas day picture sent to us by Jim, my step-dad. It's called, "Spatula Bliss." The moment was really captured here.

We had a really nice, relaxing New Years Eve. The Bears played that night, and we met Erin at Merle's, an excellent barbecue place, to watch the (very disappointing) game against Green Bay. You might think that we chose this location because of their amazing vegetarian barbecue options, perhaps the BBQ seitan sandwich or mock-chicken wings, but no (not even their mac and cheese is vegetarian), we went because Erin's husband, Matt, is a manager there. We did enjoy some "carnitas," an inherently meaty dish that can amazingly be prepared without the carne--and Erin and I had the most potent margaritas ever made.

We went back to Erin and Matt's after the restaurant closed and hung out for a bit, then had a nice walk home to welcome the new year. It was a very nice evening.

We enjoyed the rest of our time with Eliser by sleeping in, then touring a different part of the city each day. While Eric worked one afternoon, Eliser and I went to the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen (the same neighborhood where I work). It was really impressive and will definitely go back--there is some more to see. If you haven't been there and you have the opportunity to go sometime, I would highly recommend it. This is the staircase in the 18th Street stop on the Pink Line. Almost every surface in the entranceway and platform is covered in murals. I love it!


After the museum, we visited Millenium Park downtown. Here's what the giant jelly bean looks like at night:





The ice rink, being Zambonied:

Wrigley Field from the el stop:

Our favorite sandwich shop, Potbelly:

From the point at Northwestern U:

Back downtown the day after Christmas--it was a zoo!

The view from the observatory in the Hancock building:


Eliser washing the windows:


Opening gifts from Sarah. The Oregon placemats are amazing!

The Sun Magazine--best publication ever.

I have no idea what this gift was:

One night, we helped serve and visited with folks at our church's weekly community meal, Dignity Diner. The kids up front are leading everyone in Christmas carols.

An intense game of Yatzee: