Holiday Wrapup

 A beautiful Christmas, with all of my family, extended family and friends.  We had a house full for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

 Son Jonathan did a wonderful job on the bread.  Makes me so happy to see that wedding ring on his finger.

 All my children, my grand daughter, nieces and nephews, brothers and my SILs, cousins and friends filled the house and ate all the food I prepared and grazed on  the cookies.  We played our silly lottery game, hugged everyone at least twice, held our new baby niece and had a great time.

 My favorite tradition is the lumenarias we place along the walk and front of our home to welcome everyone. One candle was still burning 24 hours later!

 I always take a moment to go outside and look inside.  Always grateful for my family and for my hard working hubby that makes it all possible each and every holiday.

 We had some time late on Christmas Eve to celebrate with all our kids.  We were just missing Amanda this year, as she spent Christmas in the UP with her family. Have I mentioned how wonderful it is to have them all close by.  What a blessing to have loved ones who want to be together at the holidays.  Something I will always be grateful for.

My hubby had the entire week off between Christmas and New Years.

 We've wanted to visit the Chicago History Museum again for a very long time.  When I was a teen, our choir sang at the then Chicago Historical Society each year at Christmas.  Also when I was a child we would visit with school.  My favorite things are fused marbles from the great Chicago Fire and the bed that Abraham Lincoln died on.  Both are still there and I always cry at seeing the bed.

 Chicago is such a beautiful city.

 Inspiring...

 Here inside, a mobile of street signs.

 Here is the bed.  I also cried at Lincoln's Tomb, Lincoln's home and recreated town of New Salem when in Springfield, Illinois.as a youngster and a teen.  I am moved by history,   You should see me in Washington D.C., I cried buckets.

 Standing before this famous Norman Rockwell, I wondered who the model was in this painting.  Rockwell used friends and regular people from his town in his work. This is the famous clock at Marshall Fields a Chicago landmark.

 Here are the marbles.  This really made an impression on me all those years ago, imagining the fire that swept through and destroyed most of Chicago in 1871.

 I am the Queen of Milwaukee Ave.!  Self proclaimed, of course.  I can get anywhere by way of Milwaukee Ave.

We also had a great day with our girl visiting the Chicago Botanic Gardens's 

Wonderland Express.

 A amazing train set up combining plants and flowers and Chicao landmarks.  It even snowed inside!

 Wrigley Field and the Championship trophy.

 One of my all time favorite spots, the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette.

 It was so beautifully done...I was caught up in the magic as was Penny and Grandpa.  We had the happiest time.

 If you've ever been to my home, you'll know why I love this vignette so.

So that brings us to New Year's Eve.  I have one question, WHERE IS MY FLYING CAR?  It's a few hours before 2017, and no flying car!  Oh well.

Wishing you peace and good health. friends and family to love and comfort you, and Love...more Love than you've ever dreamed of.  That's my wish for you.  Happy New Year my friends.

Enjoy this beautiful day!

Love, Penny