Chirish!!

Damian, Jason, and I decided to embrace our Chirish heritage and head downtown to see the dyeing of the river. We'd never been and, well, it has to be done.

My only regret is that I didn't dress warmly enough (and am in no state to be smuggling a flask of Irish whisky).





Waiting ...





Don't be fooled. Their faces are frozen that way.





Finally, oh holy hell.





Who knew St. Patrick's Day spirit came in such a violent green?





Finished product.

Despite the totally seasonable temperatures, my compressed bladder, and aching back, we had a great time.

Blackhawks

D scored some free--and AWESOME--tickets to the Blackhawks/Sabres game a couple of weeks ago. It was a great time, even though it was unbelievably cold that night. The seats were in the seventh row, right behind the goal.

Of course, it was even better that the Blackhawks won.

Jason loves Chicago!

Our friend Jason was in town again this weekend, and fun ensued as usual.  On Saturday we had lunch with his High School chum Elliot Bowles.  For those who don't know, Elliot is the chef of his eponymous restaurant Graham Elliot.  We had lunch with he and his lady friend before heading to the Museum of Science and Industry to get our learn on.  Later that night we headed to Graham Elliot for dinner.  This was our second time there and it has not disappointed thus far.  The food and atmosphere are both top notch.  

Jason and Elliot

Merchandise Mart and the Sears Tower sportin' the Christmas Colors

Model Train set up at the Museum of Science and Industry

Pity Post

Ok, so I wanted to post something (anything) so I'm throwing up some pictures from (you guessed it) our last Cubs game this year. Or at least the last one we have tickets for as of right now. This could change. I know this is a total cop out and lazy but whatever. Take it or leave it.

Here are a few of the pictures from the game. Oh yeah, the Cubs won of course...

Can I see your ID, kid?

Check out this video of a kid drinking beer at Wrigley. It was caught on WGN so this kid's dad is in some hot water once his mom sees it! We have been frequenting the bleachers this year and we have seen plenty of drunks that are likely below the legal age but this is just getting ridiculous.

Seadog!

During the last weekend in June, Phil and Tammi came over to Illinois for an architectural boat tour aboard the Seadog. It was actually something that we had been wanting to do for a while so when Phil mentioned it, we jumped at the opportunity. Of course, everyone knows you can't go boating on an empty stomach so we had lunch at RL before the tour. I had no idea the place was even there before, but man have we been missing out. The food was simply fantastic.

After lunch we walked over to Navy Pier where we were scheduled to catch the boat. Luckily we were early which gave us time to wander around Navy Pier. The boat tour was a lot of fun (though not exactly what we were expecting). Some of the things the tour guide said are under suspicion but he was a lot funnier than expected. Overall it was a lot of fun and a great day (except for the random shower that came through). We are now inspired to look into different architectural tours in the city. Chicago is truly an amazing city for architecture and we hope to take advantage of that!

Here are few pictures from Navy Pier and the Seadog!

Not a bad day to be on the water.

Look at that blue water. Who wouldn't want to live here?

Sears Tower looking all tall

333 Wacker Drive

Wanted: World-Class Pediatricians

Oh, if only we knew one ...

Jason!

Jason came to visit us last weekend, making him our first repeat Maryland visitor.

Also, still our only Maryland visitor.

Friday night we got to check out Chef Bowles' new place. Amazing, of course. The food was fantastic, the atmosphere relaxed, the music leaned to the new wave 80s I love, and, of course, I can't say enough about the company.

Saturday, the weather was gorgeous, so we decided to hang out by the pool. D made ribs, much wine was consumed ... it was a perfect day.

On Sunday we took the train back into the city to hit the Museum of Contemporary Art. Rather than walk, we decided to take the water taxi.


For two bucks, it's a pretty great way to see the city.



Then we headed to the museum, where we were treated to an underwhelming exhibit by Jeff Koons (including a special treat: pornography as art). I was disappointed that the museum doesn't seem to have a permanent collection. It's just exhibits. Although I did like the Calder exhibit.

After a stroll to Navy Pier, we hopped the train back home:

(The photographer suffers for his art)

... where D made us his fantastic pork chops and we drank the amazing Champagne that Jason sent us for Christmas.

(Note: amazing champagne and amazing flushed cheeks)

Then he left. 

Despite our pleas and tears and promises of a full-time position as our pool guy. It was quite the scene Monday morning at O'Hare departures, but I'm not proud. 

Even though we hate the leaving part, Jason's visits are always a good time: lots of laughs, great food, and wine.

So today, we restocked:

(Why, yes, that IS a St. Supery wine ...)

Gah.

We turned our air conditioning on for the first time this year about an hour ago. It is really humid here and about 75 degrees right now. I just checked the weather though, and discovered this little gem of a severe weather alert:

...PNEUMONIA FRONT MOVING DOWN WESTERN LAKE MICHIGAN...

A PNEUMONIA FRONT CURRENTLY IN FAR SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN WILL CONTINUE TO RAPIDLY DROP SOUTHWARD INTO NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND INDIANA TONIGHT. THIS FRONT HAS BEEN MARKED BY A DRASTIC CHANGE IN TEMPERATURES AND A STRONG WIND SHIFT. TEMPERATURES ALONG THE LAKE FRONT HAVE DROPPED FROM THE LOW TO MID 70S TO THE MID TO UPPER 40S AS THE FRONT PASSES.

A PNEUMONIA FRONT IS A RARE... METEOROLOGICAL PHENOMENA THAT IS TYPICALLY OBSERVED ALONG THE WESTERN LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE DURING THE WARM SEASON. THESE FRONTS ARE DEFINED AS LAKE MODIFIED SYNOPTIC SCALE COLD FRONTS THAT RESULT IN ONE HOUR TEMPERATURE DROPS OF 16 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR GREATER.

A pneumonia front? WTF? Did they just make that up?

Am going to go turn off the air now. Apparently we were being way too optimistic.

Cubs games!

Until now, we would plan a trip once a year (if we could) to go see a Cubs game in Chicago. Now that we live here, it's a wee bit easier. So far, Damian has been to three games and Ashley has been to two. And the season has just begun...

The first game of the year for Damian was the second game of the year for the Cubs. It was against the Brewers and they lost. So we will move right along.

The first game that we both attended was against the 'stros. That was a win! We went for Steve Davis' (someone we went to high school with) birthday. We got to Murphy's Bleachers before they opened and managed to get a choice spot at a table on the outside patio right along the street so we could enjoy a few Old Styles before the game.

Dante' always seemed to be hovering around the beer...

Until he passed out.

Kerry Wood going for the save

CUBS WIN!!!

Then we went to Tigger's house?

Dante' managed to rally for beer pong

Then we went to Tuesday's game against the Reds. It was the first time back for both Dusty Baker and Correy Patterson. There were a few boos. Maybe a lot.

View from our bleacher seats

Visual proof that we did indeed attend the game

Cubs win again!

Christmas in Chicago 2007

So, this is a little late but I finally downloaded some pictures and thought I would post them anyway.

We me up with our friend Kris and her main little man Dante the Saturday before we left to spend Christmas with our families. We spent the evening walking around downtown, looking at window displays and we grabbed a bite to eat. It was a really fun evening and the decorations coupled with the snow definitely made it feel like Christmas.

Kris and Ashley (and Dante is in there somewhere)

The ladies cruising State Street

The Chicago Christmas tree

As a little trivia side note, I found out something intersting about the Chicago tree. Unlike NY where they down a huge old tree, Chicago's tree is actually lots of small trees that are all put together on a giant tiered stand to make it look like one big tree. I thought that was interesting.

You know, just beause I pass the Chicago Theater, I need to take a picture.

Macy's (formerly known as Marshall Field's) drawing the crowds for Christmas

Seriously, I should have taken a lower picture to get the crowd. The entire sidewalk was full of people either trying to see the displays or get into the store. Nuts.

Yeah. Falling Ice.

This is funny but serious. It comes down with a vengance! So when walking around Chicago in the winter, watch out for ice falling from the skyskrapers. Lest you die. Seriously. Stupid gravity.

This One's for Scott and J

"Chicago could finish the year with its fewest homicides since 1965!"

The Greatest Show on Earth!

Last night we went to see the circus at the United Center. And not just any circus mind you. We saw Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus! I think we both went thinking it might be fun if not a little cheesy but we were both pleasantly surprised. It was very well done and quite entertaining. Some of the acts were down right amazing. Plus we were in the 5th row so we totally could have gotten sprayed with trapeze sweat! But we didn't.

We thought we were going to be really late after getting stuck in some pre-Thanksgiving traffic on the Tri-State but we wound up getting there just a few minutes after it started. Parking and traffic around the UC was easier than I expected which was a bonus.

So to recap: Circus = Surprisingly fun! This may say something to our maturity level but either way we definitely recommend everyone see The Greatest Show on Earth!

Jordan Statue outside the United Center

Jason Does Chicago!

Our good friend Jason came to town last weekend for his first trip to the windy city. It was great to see him again and always fun to show off our new home. Jason is essentially a much taller version of us. He was interested in doing all of the things we love, so it was a blast.

He got in Thursday morning (Ash and I both had to work Thursday and Friday) so he came to Argonne with me so I could print out some maps, etc. He killed some time exploring Naperville and Downers Grove and then we all went to Winestyles for a tasting. Then another flight of wines. Then we went to the Cellar Bistro for, you know, more wine. Friday morning was not awesome.

On Friday, Jason navigated the Metra to downtown to have lunch with his friend Elliot. When he got back we went to happy hour at Muldoon's (an Irish pub in Wheaton) with Mike Dunn for Ashley's birthday. Then we headed to Adelle's for a delicious birthday dinner. Everyone seemed to enjoy their dinner there as usual. When we got home there was a mint-chocolate ice cream birthday cake from Coldstone waiting for dessert.

Mmm... Coldstone...

Saturday we went to the Art Institute of Chicago. It was actually the first time either of us had been there in ages. The collection is one of the best you will find and we had a great time. Then we went to the Hancock Signature Lounge for drinks before dinner.

Which brings me to the best part. Jason's friend Elliot is the Chef de Cuisine at Avenues in the Peninsula Hotel. For those who are not familiar, Avenues is one of the highest rated restaurants in the US. Elliot sat us at the Chef's tasting bar where we settled in for the long night. We were served the 15 course (yes, 15 courses) paired with some of the best wines we have ever had. I'm not going to try and recall all 15 courses. All I will say is that it was by far the best dining experience we have ever had. All 15 courses were phenomenal which is an entirely amazing feat. Ashley and I are big fans of tasting menus, but there are always one or two courses (even on a reduced list) that are just so-so. Avenues blew away other similar places we have been (such as Komi, Zaytinya, Restaurant Eve, Spiaggia, etc.). I hate to heap on praise when many others have already said it better, but all of the accolades that Chef Bowles receives are well deserved. He and his staff have fine dining down to an art. After dinner, we went out with Elliot for drinks across the street from his restaurant before heading home. We had a great time hanging out with Elliot and hope for the opportunity again in the future.

The "Rookery"

Outside the Art Institute

Our view from the Signature Lounge

Enjoying our cocktails...

Sunday we made sure to get Jason some Chicago style pizza. Then it was off to the Shedd Aquarium (Ashley's favorite place in Chicago, if not the world), where we spent the afternoon checking out the fish. I think we were all fairly beat by that time so we went back to Wheaton and had dinner at the house.

Ashley, Jason, Lake Michigan and Navy Pier

Shedd Aquarium


Shedd Aquarium, the lake and the skyline

We were both sad to see Jason leave Monday, but we're hoping he'll be back soon. There is no shortage of things to see and do in Chicago!

Visits

Here is a quick recap of recent visits we have had from family and friends.

As mentioned before, our first weekend in the house we had some family out to visit. Here is one of the pictures. I hope Tammi doesn't mind us putting her on here, but we wanted to show the pool actually being used.

Prior to Beth Ann's wedding in St. Joe last month, Scott came to stay for one night on his way to Michigan. It was a quick stop, but it was great to see him and we were glad we had a chance to show him our new house and downtown Wheaton. We tried to give him the hard sell because three years will go fast and he and Jonnett have to live somewhere....

A few weekends ago, Wayne and Shawna (and Keeper and Page) came to visit for the weekend. It was a nice relaxing weekend but we don't have any pictures to show. We did however go to the new restaurant in Wheaton called The Bank. They did a really nice job remodeling the inside, but the food was hit or miss. We are planning on going back soon to try again (the service was so-so) because they had only been open a week or so.

Last weekend, Phil and Tammi came to visit for Phil's birthday. He didn't know what we were doing but the surprise was that we got tickets to go see Wicked at the Oriental Theater. Everyone really seemed to enjoy the show. After the show (it was the early show) we went to dinner at McCormick and Schmick's. Naturally we had plenty to eat and drink during dinner so we went on what became a fairly lengthy walk downtown ending up at the Hancock building. So we figured the only option was to go to the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor for more cocktails. The view was spectacular that night and was a perfect way to end the day.

The "Johnny"

Grant Park

A couple weeks ago, we went downtown to enjoy the nice weather. We wound up spending a good portion of that time wandering around Grant Park. A couple of the cooler features are the "bean" sculpture which is always popular, and two giant waterfalls that you can wade into. The latter seemed especially popluar with small kids.

The Bean

We are the ones in the (almost) center. This is taken upward from underneath.

Waterfall Business

That is Ashley hoping she isn't about to be sprayed by the varying water pattern.