Hobby

I've added some more pics on my photo blog.  Just in case you're interested. :)

Invasion of the baby brother (and wife)

My baby brother flew to The Chi a week ago Wednesday to stay for the weekend and play.  I tell you what, when my mom and SIL's were here I thought we did a lot...but my weekend with Brad and Kass put that one to shame.  I am still tired!  Here's the rundown:

Wednesday (well...technically Thursday, but I'm calling it Wednesday)
Flight arrives at 12:15am
Tacos to-go from Los Comales at 12:45am
Eat tacos at home - get to bed about 2am

Thursday
Ran to Target to get White Sox apparel
Sox Game - Note to self: WEAR SUNSCREEN next time
Took train back into the city
Saw the Bean, Grant Park, Millenium Park, weird Chinese art
Walked/window-shopped up Mag Mile to John Hancock Center- did observation deck
Nathan met us for dinner at Bubba Gump's
Saw/Shopped/Ride rides at Navy Pier until it closed at 10pm

Sox game (love that blond girl behind Brad)

Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.  Poor Nathan is so pale - he didn't fare too well on the swings.  I am burnt to a crisp from the game. 

Friday
Worked from 6:30am-10:30am
Miller Brewery Tour in Milwaukee (Brad LOVES Miller Geniune Draft Beer...I think the only reason he came to visit was to go on this tour.  I don't drink beer, but I love my brother so I was happy to take him)
Dinner at rock Bottom Brewery
Summerfest to see 311 play
Concert ended at midnight...we got home right around 3am

Miller Brewery Tour

311 concert.  Nathan's first rock concert.  I got beer spilled on my hair, legs and feet...but it was still awesome.  My ears were still ringing the next day.

Saturday
Shedd Aquarium
Korean BBQ with friends
Pie at Bakers Square
Watched a rented movie at our place

 Shedd Aquarium (love this pic)

 Korean BBQ - Baby octopus - yummy :)

Sunday
Jelly Belly Factory in Wisconsin (12 lbs of Jelly Beans and 10lbs of Hodgepodge...can you say sugar coma?)
Outlets (quickest outlet trip EVER - we just did Nike, Underarmor, Ghirardelli and Pepperidge Farm)
Drove home so I could leave for work at 5
Worked from 6-8pm
Got home from work at 8:45pm
Made sushi for dinner
Played games until 2am

 Jelly Belly - love this place!

 I love me some sushi

Monday
Taste of Chicago
Took them back to the airport

 The Taste

Pfew!  I got tired just typing all that again. 

No one can say that if you come to Chicago we don't try and show you a good time!

{love}

Thursday night I was at Navy Pier with my baby brother and his cute wife.  I was sitting in a swing on the above ride with THIS song playing over the loud speakers.  As I went round and round and my view alternated from Lake Michican shimmering in the moonlight to sparkling skyscrapers in the city skyline I was overcome with love for this town.  I teared up just thinking of how lucky Nathan and I are to live here. 

i {heart} chicago

Summer

It seems as though summer has finally decided to stay here in the Windy City.  It was chilly and rainy for a while and then all of a sudden it's been warm.  REALLY WARM.  I spend all day in the wicked cold Bat Cave (my term of affection for the computer-filled closet in which I work that never gets above 65 degrees) so when I walk out of the building at the end of the day that humid heat smacks me in the face like a hot, wet beach towel...but truth be told...I {love} it.

Happy Dad's Day

I happen to be the lucky daughter of this handsome guy:

My dad has taught me some very important things over the years...here's just a few:

-He made me rotate the tires on the car, learn to check all my fluids and change my windshield wipers before he would let me get my learners permit.
-He taught me the value of hard work.  I hated it at the time, but it has been a lifesaver.
-He taught me to be a bargain shopper...and although I tease him about his tight-waddedness...I admire his ability to talk anyone down on price. 

Love you dad!

Lame

I'm sorry. 

I am a lame commenter.   I {promise} I read your blogs...sometimes all I have to say is wow or cool and I feel lame leaving a comment like that...so I don't.  

Still love me?

I still love you.

Immobile

You know that handy reset button on a computer?  I wish I could have had one this week...or better yet, a fast forward button.  I had a rough couple days at work (oh ya, I got a job...it is the same company I worked for last fall.  A position opened up and they asked if I wanted to come back.  No where near my dream job, but hey...a job is a job, right?)..and then after a rough day at work I still had the hour and a half commute home.  Saturday came and things got worse.  I woke up to HORRIBLE pain and stiffness in my neck.  (My neck is stiff every morning...but today it felt like the day after my accident)  I've been through three rounds of a Flexeril/Lorotab cocktail and slept/rested/been drugged more hours than I've been awake...and I've only seen slight improvement.  Winston has been a cute little companion...he's enjoyed the two days of momma-snuggles.

I'm hoping this week goes better.

Close encounter of the parental kind

The week after the girls were here my parents visited.  I think my dad was quite nervous to come to Chicago...but I think by the time he left he learned that Chicago isn't the scary, crime-ridden, cesspool he thought it was.

I gave my dad the run-down of all there is to do in our fabulous city...and I let him choose what he wanted to do.  We started the weekend off at the Museum of Science and Industry.  They have a really cool exhibit there - U505.  U505 was a German Submarine that the US captured in WWII.  You can go right on the sub...it isn't in water anymore, it is dry docked in the museum.  My dad is fascinated with history so I knew he'd love it.

After the museum, we stopped by Navy Pier.

Day two of their stay we went on a gangster tour downtown.  On the tour they had a giveaway.  Dad won a book about Chicago mobsters.  He was so cute - like a little boy on Christmas.

The third day I thought we'd head back downtown and do some sight-seeing...but no.  When the Untouchables Tour was over, dad was chatting with the fellow in the above pic who told him about a huge car museum.  So guess where we went?  Yup.  We spent the third day checking out hundreds and hundreds of cars...then four antique malls.  Ah well...that's my dad for you.

I almost had Nathan convinced to let me buy this.  I can't even begin to tell you how long I have wanted one of these VW busses. (Remember my Hippie phase??!?)  It has original paint and original interior...and it was on SALE!!!  Unfortunately Nathan didn't catch my enthusiasm.  :(

Nathan found ways to keep himself entertained at the antique mall:

This was the treasure my dad got at the antique mall...an antique metal riding horse:

They couldn't take it on the plane with them...so we'll be driving it out this summer.  Do you think it needs to be in a car seat??!?