The Big 2-6

Today is Alex's 26th birthday and he is happily off golfing with his buddies Lucas, Fife, and Nick for the day. We went to dinner last night to an Italian restaurant on Michigan Avenue that sent us not one, but two $25 off coupons for living in the neighborhood. Wahoo! It was really good too! Alex got a special that night, risotto with scallops, and I got a the chicken parmesan. Mmmmm... Both were very tasty. Scallops are pretty much my favorite thing ever, so of course I had to sample what he got. Our appetizer was tasty too, fried calamari with hot cherry peppers, plus we enjoyed a few beverages as well. We'll definitely be heading back there sometime before the end of June (when they expire) to enjoy again.

Not too sure what the exact plans are tonight, but I think we are getting together with everybody again to go out... not sure where... but I think that's what he has in mind.

Wednesday, we made a trip to GolfSmith to get him a new golf bag. He has had his eye on it for awhile. Below is a picture of him this morning before he left, posing with his new bag.

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The weather this past week has been nice, but strange... I've left work several times with the sun out and warm, then as I drive home (closer to the lake) the temps drop and this thick fog is blanketing the city. Below are some picts of my drive down Lake Shore.

Going over the Chicago River, looking into the city.

I promise, Navy Pier is there somewhere....

Normally, you would see several tall buildings, but this just looks like a drive down 231 back at home.

We were invited to our first skating birthday party in several years this past weekend. Hunter turned 9 and we couldn't miss the festivities! We had a great time and even learned a valuable lesson for our futures.... if and when we ever have kids (especially boys) they will NEVER have a skating party! haha Now, I know not all boys are as.... rambunctious as Hunter, but holy cow, its amazing no one broke an arm. They were doing the "train" while skating and knocking each other over... I was a nervous wreck! Alex and I even dusted off our skating skills, took a moment but I got in the swing of it again. The hardest part was dodging the crazy kids. But, Alex and I were able to remain our feet... my mom and Shannon.. not so much! haha

Yes, that is a flashing earring he is wearing (magnetic of course). haha He's trying to cover up the Bears symbol.... die hard Lions fan (insert laugh), but it was chilly in LaPorte, so he had to borrow Ryan's coat.

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In other news.... although we had a good time at the party this past weekend, we definitely had other things on our minds.

Friday morning, a close friend of Alex's, Paul passed away from a long and hard battle with cancer, he was only 24. He is donating his body to science, and his family will be holding a memorial next Thursday, the 26th back at home.

Our hearts are broken and it is hard to believe this has happened.

Needless to say, he will be incredibly missed.

Wedding Album

We recently received our official wedding album. I know, I know... its been a little over 9 months- but it is all my fault. They sent us the proofs to okay... and it took me about 3 months to actually get to it. I'm not sure why... I just kept forgetting. haha But, it was all worth the wait because we absolutely love it!

Our photographers were AMAZING! They are a twenty-something year old couple from Indy. They are sooo sweet and incredibly creative. I truly can't wait until a time comes when we will need professional photographs taken again. They do all sorts of things, obviously weddings, engagement, family picts, maternity, infants, kids, senior picts, etc.

Their business is called SB Childs- and seriously check them out if you are in the market for any pictures or you like to look at photography websites.... Love them!

Here are some pictures I took of the album... doesn't do any justice to the real thing though.

Cover picture is done in an etched metal. This book seriously weighs about 8 lbs.

In all, the actual book is a little over 30 pages. Definitely a keepsake we will cherish forever.

Special Deliveries

We have a new addition to our family, my grandma's new puppy, Natasha AKA Tasha. Mom and Grams drove down to Southern Indiana to get her and lucky for me... we were home for the weekend to meet her! She is a Welch Terrier, which is very similar to my grandma's dog Toby, who was an Airdale Terrier. She will grow to be about Josie's size.... smaller/medium sized.

We all enjoyed playing with the new puppy, but poor Josie was not a fan! Tasha would try to get close to her... you know, just to check her out. Josie... was NOT having it! Every time Tasha would get close, Josie would take off in a sprint to get away from her. She was terrified! It got so bad that Josie was sitting on the couch when she decided she wanted to go and sit with my mom, who was in a chair. Instead of jumping down on the floor, Josie crawled over the couch, onto an end table, and then got in the chair with my mom. HAHA She did that twice. Poor girl... she had a rough weekend.

Meet Tasha (that's Josie in the background)

All tuckered out... it was an eventful day for her.

The real reason we went home this past weekend was for Brandy's baby-shower. I was co-hosting with her Godmother and sister-in-laws. We held it in the Rush Pavilion at Columbian Park. It went really well and she got a lot of neat stuff. Baby Kayleigh is due June 22 and I am so excited to be "Auntie Jackie".

The cupcakes were one of my jobs for the day. I bought them from the bakery that my student's parents own. They turned out great!