The Best New Year

After an absence of 2 years we finally made it back to Chicago during Christmas time - and had a blast. So much fun in fact we forgot to take pictures most of the time, and as usual had to snap away in front of the Lufthansa counter at O'Hare, our normal point of departure.

The kids had so much fun with A-Kong and A-Ma, as usual. Monchichi even learned "Kong" during her stay, and now assigns it to any old dude with 1. white hair 2. knit hat 3. white gym shoes - my dad's fashion profile, obviously.

We got back in time to enjoy the snows and low temperatures in Cologne. When the radio advised people to stock up on goods one weekend we just had to laugh - I think the situation was as dire as nonstop overnight snowing and temperatures going down to -15C...or 5F truth be known...The snow did stick around for a while and one Sunday the sidewalks and streets were covered all the way into town.





So many highlights of the Chicago trip:

- spending time with my family
- going to the museums...truly world class. Pig threw a tantrum so I didn't get to take in all of the special diamonds exhibit at the Field Museum, but the dinosaur displays were amazing
- seeing Niki and Leanne and their families
- Alinea
- New Year's Eve...probably one of the best in recent years
- Jochen finally loving Chinese food, courtesy of Chef Ping
- And, last but not least, skiing in Wausau WI, where they believe a good snow gun should be pointed directly in the skiier's face
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Finally, some random pictures just to keep you reading. Unfortunately I think the blog may suffer a bit this year because 1. they're loading me up at work again...the post-maternity leave honeymoon/econ crisis is finally over 2. My new training regime is killing me. The only good thing about running at 6am outside is...you keep running otherwise you freeze your butt off! And you're pretty much looking for bed by 10pm....