Golfing
Back in June, when we went back to Iowa, I broke out my dancing shoes and tussled with Dad for 9 holes out at Byrnes Golf Course. This was the first time that I had golfed since the Taft Administration and I was rustier than an 82' El Camino. My skill level is rather horrifying, but I enjoy my bi-yearly outings anyway. Dad plays like a old, white and frustratingly mediocre version of Tiger Woods.
Sienna & Griffin's birthday party
In June, our niece (Sienna) and nephew (Griffin) had a joint birthday party in Cedar Rapids to celebrate their 1st and 3rd birthdays, respectively. There was a Prince and Princess theme. My idea for a John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe theme was widely ignored as was my attempt to arrange a Mini Kegger hosted by Mini KISS.
Eating
Thanks to my job, we get a ton of restaurant gift certificates. Whether it's a giant plate of nachos or filet mignon, we've earned a reputation for laying waste to both greasy spoons and cloth napkin establishments throughout the greater Chicago area. Some of our favorite places we visited this summer and summers past are: Le Bouchon (French), Las Palmas (Mexican), Smoke Daddy (BBQ), Piece Pizza, Carnivale (Latin), Moody's Pub (Burgers), La Cocina De Frida (Mexican), Yen's (Chinese), La Scarola (Italian), Niu (Sushi), Five Star (Burgers) and A Taste of Heaven (Breakfast).
How are we not morbidly obese? We live in Chicago and don't have a car, so it balances out. Sort of.
Fourth of July - White Sox game in suite
Ah, sleeping with the enemy. Die-hard Cubs fans cavorting in a box suite with South Siders? Say it ain't so. The word 'free' sometimes causes irrational behavior. Oh, and the Sox lost.
Wisconsin Dells and Camping at Devil's Lake
In August, we headed up to Wisconsin with Cory and Gretchen for some camping at Devil's Lake. After a rain soaked first day that included numerous trips across the lake on a car ferry (my sense of direction is non-existent) the weather cooperated in time for us to have a great day re-living our youth at Noah's Ark Water Park in Wisconsin Dells. This also afforded Cory and I the opportunity to take our shirts off and show those Wisconsin ladies just what they were missing. Nothing says 'hot' like Cory and I shirtless, eating deep-fried Twinkies.
Thunderfist Weekend
The first weekend in August, friends from across this great nation of ours gathered at our home for an event dubbed 'Thunderfist 08'. You see, many of the people who came in were writers on that Internet sensation known as Thunder Matt's Saloon. You had a-holes from California, Texas and Iowa all gathered together in the Windy City for some adult beverage-fueled shenanigans. The details are sketchy, and any story would have to be altered considerably to avoid legal action, but suffice it to say, good times were had. We went to a classic bar called Baby Atlas that Friday night and then a Cubs game and Butch Walker concert (for some of us) on Saturday. Sunday was spent recovering, drinking lots of water and coffee for some and more beer for others.
Every weekend in Chicago, there are various street fests. All of them involve booze, bands and street vendors selling arts, crafts and meat on a stick. This year we hit up Midsummer Fest in Andersonville and the Chinatown Street Fair. There may have a been a few more that we went to, but after a while these things start to blend together.
Bike Rides/Beach
Our new neighborhood is only a 5-minute bike ride to the beach and the lakefront bike path, so we spent many a weekend being beach bums and riding our bikes around town. We rode up to Evanston one weekend, ate Thai food and rode by all of the nice rich-people houses on the lakefront. Katy tends to ride at a very leisurely pace, ringing her bell, while I favor a more more rugged, off-road style of biking that could be classified as 'rebellious'.
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