Father's Day Weekend 2010, in Pictures

"Yeah, I'm wearing a tutu. So what, who cares?"

Katy and Lily at HHH fave, Las Palmas. Avocado was on the menu in the form of guacomole, but Lily respectfully declined, citing the South Beach diet.

When you look up 'fist pump' in the dictonary, you'll find a picture of this spread at Las Palmas. Depending on what dictionary you use of course.

"Daddy, why do the Cubs suck?" (Daddy weeps quietyly, shoves handful of guacamole into mouth, begins sobbing loudly, awkwardly)

"Aw, look at me, I'm in Wicker Park. I'd wear some skinny jeans, but look at my legs. Not. Happening."

My Father's Day gifts. Love the Pabst Blue Ribbon logo on the tee. Love the book even more. 'My Super Dad'! Not to be confused with 'My Two Dads'. (I actually own that outfit, no photoshop required). Not pictured is a voucher for some Daddy-toddler music classes. I wonder if they'll have KISS songs?

One of the more classic pictures from the Super Dad book. I took that photo while I was back in Iowa. Wild animals just seem to respond to me, what can I say? Deer crossing? More like deer hugging!

"How many more of these pushups are you gonna make me do? I'm just a baby! I resent you already."

" "Are you wearing cologne? Seriously?"

Home is Where the Tenderloin Is

Bernie with Lily on Friday morning. Hard to tell, but Lily is representing UNI with her dress. Panther Pride! (As if she has a choice.)

Last weekend, we headed back to the Hawkeye State for a long weekend celebrating the birthdays of the incorrigible Griffin and Sienna (5 and 3, respectively), and of course, America's foray into the World Cup. Okay, not really the latter, although that did happen to be going on Saturday. (Three cheers for a tie!)

As is our M.O., the weekend was spent parent-hopping, fitting in as many relatives as we could into a ever-shrinking window of opportunity. To that end, we left the Windy City on Thursday night after work, but not before stopping home to feed the offspring and get a little grub for ourselves. This proved to be a double edged sword as A) we didn't need to make the obligatory Culvers stop, but B) we didn't arrive back to Waterloo until around 1:30 AM. Suffice it to say, I needed to stop in Independence (aka, Nightlife Capital of the Midwest) to get some caffeine just to get through the homestretch.

From there it was whirlwind of buttercream frosting and baby drool. Friday morning was spent with my Dad...we headed off to lunch with the old(er) man and step-brother (and track and field phenom) Bart, to Southern Smokeshack BBQ. From there, it was over to Mom and Ron's for a brief pit stop before heading over to see Katy's grandma's (Lily's great G) and her parents, before heading over to Mulligans (see: underrated; try their fajita salad and thank me later) for dinner, where Lily proceeded to charm the waitstaff, per usual.

On Saturday we headed down to Cedar Rapids for the birthday soiree of the aforementioned Griffin and Sienna, where a large gathering of assorted relatives congregated around a traditional birthday cake, praying desperately that the hopes and dreams of these young children would someday come true. It remains to be seen weather these wishes (best left unsaid) will come to fruition.

After a dinner of burgers on the grill and coleslaw (yep, we're back in Iowa), the adults enjoyed some liquor infused beverages while the children dreamed of a better tomorrow. On Sunday, we drove back to Chicago, where Lily made nary a peep the whole car ride home. God bless you Lily Bryn.

Another whirlwind tour of the Hawkeye state comes to pass with no disasters to speak of. Although, next time I expect sweet corn.

Griffin and Sienna opening presents. Classic birthday tradition!

Susan with Lily at the birthday party. Lily is wondering when the keg is gonna be tapped, not so much for her, but to get the party started in general.

Sleeping Beauty

It doesn't get much cuter than a sleeping baby. Here is Lily with her two favorite things (well, besides Mom and Dad); Sophie the teething giraffe and Shrek doll. Try to pry these from her grip and she will cut you. Don't let the adorable face fool you. She's ruthless.

Lights, Camera, Lily!

Lily tries real food for the first time on Saturday. 'This is a poor excuse for guacamole! Harumph!'



Back on February 27, Lily and I took a tour of the brand new Elysian Hotel while mom got a massage. Hilarity and sneezing ensued. Nice beard Handfelt!

159 Days (and 4 photos) of Lily

Watery Weekend

Addy, Lily & Sid, posing as much as 3 children can pose at the same time.

On Saturday, we strapped the young child into the Astra and headed downtown to the John G (Thang) Shedd Aquarium, where we met up with the Chungs and their wily and criminally adorable, almost-3-year-old twins, Sidney and Addison (that's Sid and Addy for those in the know). Upon our arrival, we were shocked (despite checking the forecast before we left) to find it pouring rain and alas, we hadn't packed an umbrella, ella ella.

I dropped Katy and Toonces out front but then had to sprint/walk/cry about a quarter mile in a downpour. Needless to say, by the time I made my way into the Aquarium, I was looking pretty sexy. Using Lily's blanket to dry myself off (bad parent!), we met Jami and John and all of our rugrats converged amongst the exotic marine life. Lily seemed engaged, if not a bit confused by it all, and Sid and Addy toured the place like they owned it (their family pass qualifies them as seasoned veterans). Given the varying napping/pooping/eating schedules of 3 itty bitties, the trip was short (I won't say mercifully, since everyone was well behaved), but not without purpose. We did after all, get to see sharks, which makes any sort of outing, aquatic or not, an unqualified success.

Sid crawling through some sort of labyrinth near the Penguin area.

Lily's cheeks make an appearance on the patio of the Shedd.

A damp Dad and Lily

Things We Like: Dunlay's on Clark

The Wrightwood Salad and Strange Daze omelette at Dunlay's on Clark, 2600 N. Clark Street. If there is one restaurant here in Chicago that qualifies as our Cheers, then no doubt, it would be Dunlay's. Comfortable, yet classy, always solid, sometimes spectacular and eminently affordable.

We've never had a bad meal here, but have had many good ones, including our recent brunch foray on Saturday. You can't go wrong with the Wrightwood Salad, dubbed by many a Handfelt as the 'best salad ever'. Chicken, craisins, avocado, corn, almonds, tomato and goat cheese? Shut the door! No, shut the door! Katy's omelette was good as well, although the real highlight of the dish were the hashbrowns. I fancy myself a bit of a potato connoisseur, and these were some of the best hashbrowns, if not the best, that I've ever had. Yes, I'm prone to hyperbole, but this place is legit, buh-lee-dat!

You can't go wrong with anything here, including the burgers, pizzas and Katy's favorite, the beer cheese dip with tortilla chips. This place will make you feel physically strong even if you don't lift weights. RAWR!

Food Inc.

Over the past few months, our once (seemingly) posh food forays have been diminished a bit due to the presence of the Handfelt who's idea of a posh meal is a nice bottle of room temperature breast milk, but none-the-less, we've managed to consume a few things worthy of the patented HHH snapshot. ('Say Cheeseburger!')

As seen in one post, it would appear that our eating habits rival the gluttonous ways of Ancient Rome, but keep in mind these span back to the Taft Era. Most of the other days of the week we eat nothing but iceberg lettuce and sunflower seeds.

The Gunthrop Chicken Torta at the new Rick Bayless (Top Chef Masters winner, doncha' know) Mexican street food spot XOCO. Accompanied by a side of tomatillo salsa and exclamatory "Oh God!" Homemade churros and hot chocolate for desert. Best lunch in town and anyone who begs to differ gets an elbow drop from the top rope.

The Godzilla and White Scorpion maki rolls from Indie Cafe. They look so cool, you almost don't want to eat them. But you do anyway. And you're happy you did.

Crappy cell phone photo of the Australian lobster tail at Gibson's Steakhouse. Sometimes I forget how much I love lobster (since I eat it about as often as I lift weights), but to not love anything that's dipped in hot melted butter is just un-American and grounds for treason.

Grilled veggie risotto that I cooked on Memorial Day. Healthy and pretty dang good if I must say so myself (self-congratulatory back pat).

The Led Zeppelin burger at the infamous Kuma's Corner. A burger topped with pulled pork, bacon, cheddar cheese and pickles. (Despite my best intentions, I still haven't ordered the Goblin Cock.) Good yes, but it wasn't quite as good as my brother's pick, the Black Sabbath (topped with homemade chili, Pepper Jack and Red Onion - my pic just turned out better). Holy SH. If you're gonna go out, might as well go out on top.

The make your own Mac N Cheese at Kuma's. We added chorizo sausage and onions. We had enough leftovers for not one, but two additional meals.

The old school nutella milkshake at the Edzo's Burger Shop in Evanston. The burgers were fresh, although a bit salty for my taste, but I'd go back for the shake and the truffle fries and stuff myself until the inevitable food coma washed over me like a wave of warm, nutella flavored light.