Merry Christmas 2015

From Craig & Melissa

Merry Christmas to One and All!2015 was blessed year indeed. Melissa and I celebrated our six-year anniversary over Labor Day weekend by going to Quebec City, which is magical. If I were to add it all up, we have enjoyed over 3000 dates so far. Just getting started.

If you want pictures from our year, visit my Facebook and “friend” me for continuous updates. http://www.facebook.com/craig.s.wilson.1

The SEASONS of our lives, and a billion other’s lives are an even more open book these days.

Winter season and Frozen Wisdom…Melissa and I figured out how to work remotely during the winter. Whereas I used to accuse snowbirds of being “wimps” in January through March, I now realize they’re on to something. Here are pictures of Lake Michigan and Millennium Park in Chicago Winter. Even the face isn’t happy…

Winter: Florida in January…Winnie Mae Wilson, our beautiful granddaughter, may be a huge fan of Elsa and “FROZEN” but we are now a huge fan of warmth. We visited Harv, Bonnie & family. Enjoyed golf and dinner with Tom & Teri.

Working remotely is the freedom I never had before putting our CRM into the cloud. I don’t know how it works, but don’t care either.It works.

Winter : Charleston in February…

We also figured out how to swap homes. The lady has lives in Charleston, and said “I’m from Pittsburg; I hope it snows.” She got her wish. We swapped… in FEBRUARY! In truth, she loves the Art Institute, theater and museums, all near our condo.

Oh, and we also swapped cars. I was able to put the top down 3X. I don’t believe she did that in Chicago.

We rented a VRBO in Palm Springs in March. Katie was there fora wedding—wehad a fullhouse.

Winter: Palm Springs in March…

Guess who was flower girl?

Baby Sitters were a Snap…

Gavin showed up in Palm Springs too…

(Let’s do it again!)

SPRING: The Big Dance in April

Courtney’s Alma Mater was in the NCAA Finals of the Big Dance(Wisconsin lost, but it was a great night!)

SPRING brings New Beginnings

Courtney continues to teach students with disabilities on the city's South Side. She is finishing a program at UIC that focuses on transitioning students from high school. She looks forward to new opportunities helping student's achieve their full potential.

David and Katie make it look easy managing careers and their family. They should write a book on it. I know of a good publisher…

SPRING Eternal

I am happy with my role: Babysitting, Partying with the kids and cheering on Dave’s band MURLEY.

A SEASON of Achievements! Nicol passed her AIA Architect certification in

December. Congratulations! And Graham is in the process of buying out the current owner in his energy auditing and training business. He will be a superb entrepreneur!

Gavin is the still managing editor for SONGLYRICS.com, and is involved in other writing projects to. Check out Gavin-Paul.net for more. He’s been living Portland, Oregon for almost two years now. A very cool place. He gets home quite a bit, but not as much as we’d prefer, so we hoof it out there now too!

A SEASON of Achievements!

SUMMER: June Spoleto FestivalIt was a milestone birthday for Aunt Bonnie: 39!

Much cause for celebration!

SUMMER: July--Roots HomageMelissa’s sibs have a heritage of Russia and Poland. The cruise we through the Baltics was a once-in-a-lifetime MUST.

From Sweden to Russia with love

To Poland, Germany and more…

SUMMER: Wilson Hayward Trip

This time with David, Courtney, Winnie & Me!

SUMMER: 3rd Giovagnoli Getaway

This time with David, Courtney, Winnie & Me!

SUMMER: A New Home…At the end of my first date with Melissa, we sat on the balcony of her West Loop condo and gazed over the city. “I could live here,” I said. She replied, “Okay.” Guess what? We’re moving back into the same building next year!

Panorama view of Chicago from our 85’ wide deck

SUMMER: Playtime in the park

Maggie Daley Park is for Kids; Wrigley Field is for Big Kids…

SUMMER: Anniversary @ Quebec City!

Time Flies when you’re “DATING FOR LIFE”

Creative Partners Forever!

FALL: BACK TO SCHOOL (and work…)

And to Play after Hours…

FALL: Portland Getaway

FALL: Thanksgiving

So Much to be Thankful For

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

We spied Mr. & Mrs. Claus on a flight this FALL. They confirmed that Christmas is coming this year for sure!

Their reindeer get a break off-season…

CHRISTMAS: We started early!

Their reindeer get a break off-season…

How about you?

Merry Christmas AND A Happy New Year!

God fills our lives with love. We wish you a Christmas filled with JOY and a New Year embracing the unique possibilities this crazy world brings us each and every day.