December, what a lovely month.

December 1st was my birthday; Josh threw me a birthday party at Volo, a wine bar just down the street from us on Roscoe. The night was filled with delicious food and wine along with all of my closest friends. Neighbors, dear friends from the city, coworkers from Whittier, childhood friends, college roommates, and family were all in attendance, what a blessing to have all the avenues of my life intersect for one fun-filled evening.

Dear Josh who did such a lovely job planning the party in the darling barn at Volo

My oldest friend Becky who was also celebrating her first weekend living in the city. Becky has definately celebrated more birthdays with me than any other friend. Love her!

My neighbor Carrie who was in attendance without Adam (sick again); our family in the city. Tom was also came with his beautiful wife Robin (pictured below).

Robin gifted me with a darling candle from Asrai Garden, which I have been burning with delight since.

Tracy and Kristine. No birthday is complete without my sister.

Shelly, my college roommate for all four years at Hope. Soaking up every moment of her living in the city. Also, you may notice, we were just back from our Caribbean vacation. ;)

My birthday also not complete without these dear coworkers from Whittier. Megan and Annie, always the life of the party.

I had to include this picture of Josh and Bill, Megan's husband. These two can talk for hours about Indie music and biking through the city.

Also that weekend was the annual Wachendorf Christmas party; this time complete with our very own Santa Steve. It was, as usual, a fun evening. This year involved many calamities, which really made it all the more memorable. There was a plethora of spilled wine, a few broken glasses and plates, spilled soup, and the cake topper, a sort-of broken chair. Really though all of it made for intense laughter. Josh and I were reminded of how blessed we are to have such a wonderful group of friends. Living in such a large city can feel lonely at times but when you have evening with friends like these it feels perfectly like home.

Our gracious hosts who have such an amazing open door policy at their house.

Anna, with Robin, was dressed in her Christmas best

We added an ornamate exchange to this years festivities, Josh came home with a fabulous ornament from Steve.

Santa Steve, Adam and I

Love these two, Joe and Sarah

Hmmm, Sarah is so handy, here she is fixing the chair!

Another Christmas tradition for us is the Kriskindlemart at Daley Plaza. This tradition started two years ago when four new friends ventured downtown on the coldest day of the year for gluehwein and schnitzle. We went back this year, on a much warmer evening, this time with a fifth member in the group. The only disapointment was that the wine was no longer served in tacky, red, ceramic snow boot cups, it was served in a more typical, and much less exciting, red Christmas mug. We ended the night at the Paramount Room, which I would highly recommend to anyone; the restaurant is actually owned by the creators of Volo.

Group photo, this year plus Anna, in front of the Daley Plaza tree

Our family

And theirs

Still a celebratory city

Anna, very bundled and uncomfortable

Its been one of the coldest and snowiest Decembers in years, We've been busy at work with new positions, report cards, and Christmas parties, and Josh and I have been shopping for gifts at every spare moment. Such a crazy time of year, but we have certainly been intentional about enjoying the season with the people we love most. December, what a lovely month.

We wish you a very merry Christmas!