Today marks the last day of 2009.  It marks the end of a year, and a decade.  I am not feeling either sad or happy about the end of 2009.  Overall it was an okay year, not the best, but certainly not the worst in my books.  In fact, its heading out on a good note.  I always tend to look forward, though with hesitation of the unknown.  But looking forward to 2010 doesnt seem to bring as much as hesitation as the years past.  I attribute that to the Bean.  Or Hamilton as the family has now nicknamed him.  Even, Hammy, for short.  (trust me, that is NOT his name!) 

Here's a recap of my year in photos.  I am SO thankful that I continue to document my life in photos.  If I didnt, I wouldnt have the ability to do this...

Happy New Year everyone!  I wish you all prosperity and good health!  Enjoy 2010! 

ps - be safe tonight - call a cab, a friend or family member - just be safe! 

...things like this snowman appear.  When I look at this, which is now melted and gone, I instantly smile.  Its been awesome having my sister Sharon and her kids home for Christmas.  Saturday, Sharon and I spent the afternoon together doing one of my favorite things...grabbing lunch at the pub.  A perfect afternoon to close out the holiday season. 

The seven grandkids.  Post present opening.  Not the best picture of them, but I dont think we would have been able to get a good one, no matter how hard we tried!  They were too occupied with each other and their new toys!  I dont blame them!

Its been a great Christmas.  I've thoroughly enjoyed having the family together. 

Merry Christmas to All! 

All the presents are wrapped and under the tree.  Also under the tree are a few gifts I've received already from friends.  I especially like the fuzzy polar bear my friend Robin gave to the bean.  Not to me, remember, to the bean!  I cant wait to show the bean!

Each year as I wrap each of the gifts, I get a bit more excited about giving the gifts.  I cant wait to see the expressions on the receiver's face when they open the gift and they are surprised!  (except for Zachary, who knows he is getting Legos!) I am more of a giver than a receiver.  I like to see the happiness and smiles on everyone's faces when they open their gifts.  I would rather spend the couple of hours opening gifts just watching and taking pictures.  I just might do that on Christmas morning this year.  We have the twinkies joining us...and with Sharon and the kids home, basically all grandkids will be in one room together.  Definitely spending time capturing those moments!

The Wagner family, sans Geno, arrived this afternoon for the holidays.  We were all very excited to see them.  They were very excited to be here.  The two younger kids, Erika and Zachary, went straight to the tree and saw all the gifts that Grandma had already wrapped and put under the tree.  Erika found her gifts.  Zachary, too.  Zachary blurted at dinner that he knows what he is getting.  He knows he is getting Legos, because he shook the box!  HA! 

Andrew hung out in Naperville today, he had some things to help Mom with, then they headed out to get a gift.  It was nice to have him around, just chillin', chattin'.  Though it would have been the icing on the cake if Kelly and the boys came with.  But we'll see them on Friday.  I hear that Tyler is walking now!  Holy Cow!

Today is also my oldest sister's birthday.  And when I use the word, oldest, I do not mean that in the sense of her age.  I use it in the identification of her birth order compared to me.  ;o)  Happy Birthday Laura!  Hope you had a good day!

*Heritage Place subdivision, Romeoville, IL

On my way home tonight I took a gander thru the neighborhood at everyone's lights.  There are more houses decorated than not.  What is it about christmas lights that makes one smile? 

I love christmas lights.  I love the magic they bring.  I love the comforting feeling they bring to a neighborhood.  I love the way they light up neighborhoods.  I am surprised how many people do decorate their houses.

I think if its not too cold one of these nights, I might take to foot in the neighborhood to see each and every house.  Each are beautiful in their own unique way.   (but then again, if I take the car, I can listen to christmas music while viewing the lights...)

Its good to see other people wanting to capture the christmas magic as much as I do!

*Kris Kringle Market, Daley Plaza, Chicago

This is the second year that I've made it to the Kris Kringle Market in Chicago.  This market has vendors come in from all over the world - mostly Germany, Poland and the Ukraine - selling traditional european food and trinkets.  The glass blown vases and ornaments are the best.  Unique and colorful and beautiful.  I cannot leave there without consuming some spiced wine (though not this year) or roasted nuts.  I sit here and type this all the while consuming roasted cashews and cinnamon roasted almonds.  I could have gone for the Apple Strudel, as seen above, but the line was too long to wait, especially today when the weather was raining, snowing and just all around crappy.  Thankfully it wasnt super windy or freezing cold! 

My friend Jessica believes that the city should pay all the street performers.  They were out in full force today, on each street corner.  And in the El stops. 

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Each time I ride the El, I am reminded of my grandmother's memories she had of the Elevators (their full name, as they are trains 'elevated' throughout the city).  She was a 'north'-sider and my grandfather a 'south'-sider.  Back in the 30's, the north side then is surely not what the north side is today.  Same with the south side.  But still, Pop-pop had to take the Orange Elevator to the Blue Elevator, all the way to the end, and then walk 8 blocks to see Grandma every Sunday.  It was true love.  I miss my grandmother's memories.  (especially the ones where she dishes on pop-pop...like the time when she locked him out of the house for coming home late! heehee! Love you Grandma!)