Outdoor Improvements

In our recent house updates...

Patio and Fence!

The fence was put in a few weeks ago and has been a blessing to just let the dogs out and let them prance. We still walk them, but it is so nice to wake up in the morning and let them out, rather than getting dressed to walk them.

The patio was under construction all last week, and finished on Friday!

Here are the beginning pics...

And here is the final project. We only have those 2 plastic chairs for now, but are currently in the market for patio furniture. We hope to hold out till late August to get great clearance specials!

I think the patio turned out great. I had to pick the colors without Adam being there which I stressed about till it was completed. I also picked the stone and the shape. So in the end, I am glad it is over and looks good!

Rascal

One year ago today my best friend in the entire world died.

I sometimes feel like a freak that I think about Rascal as much as I do. I wonder if I am the only one who thinks of their own four legged friend and gets sad like I do.

I don't know what it is about that little ball of fluff that I loved so much... okay, well I do... but above all I miss his personality even until his last fighting day. I miss that most.

Putting your best friend to sleep is by far one of the most traumatizing things I think one can ever do, realizing the moment when I had to do it was even worse.

Of course, I know that a dog can't live as long as a human can. I know that I had him for 17 years of my life. 17 of my most life changing years. I know that he lived a good long life, with a good family, making good friends along the way. But still, in my childish ways, I wish he could have lived forever. Nothing turned a bad day around like he did.

They say there are 2 things a girl could always count on... her dad and her dog. It's true.

So, on this day I will remember Rascal as a healthy, energetic ball of fluff. My tears are minimal now, but my heart still aches. There will always be a place in it for him.

the FoUrTh

Our Fourth of July was pretty low key due to the fact that Adam was on call the entire weekend. He barely got sleep due to all the hours and work he put in. We did manage to make it Fourth of July night to my parent's house for some BBQ and then to Alisa's parent's house for their annual party... after only one round of badminton, Adam had to leave to get back to our house and do more work.

On Monday we both had the day off and went to the Kane County Cougars game, a minor league baseball team that we always like going too. Everyone got in for 5 bucks that day due to a power outage, but the power came back on after the first inning and all was well.

Of course, that day I forgot sunscreen and I am a lobster now.... I will never learn.

BBQ, baseball, fireworks, and sunburn... nothing is more 4th of July than that!

Terri's Visit to the Chi

I took Thursday and Friday off of work and welcomed Terri, my first Florida friend to Chicago! I used to work with Terri at the hospital, she is a SLP. She stayed with us for 2 days before heading out to a wedding of another friend on Saturday. We power walked Chicago, and I showed her most everything that was on her TO DO list with out getting lost, killed, or having anything stolen. SCORE! This was especially fun since I haven't been downtown for a good solid amount of time since moving back. First stop Willis Tower, AKA The Sears Tower. Stupid. The name change made me crazy so here I am giving a thumbs down.
Ummm, it was the most gorgeous day!!!!

Hello Bean, it's been a long time!

Making our stop at the Taste of Chicago...

Buckingham Fountain

My favorite part of the day was the Skyline Tour on the Lake. It was so beautiful, and cooled us down after all that walking. Afterwards, we headed to the Beer Gardens at Navy Pier for a cold one and more rest.

Day 2 at Wrigley Field after the game and after the Cubs got spanked by the Reds 12-0. Horrible!!

But for every Cubs game you go too you run into someone you know!!!

ANDREA!!!!

Picture courtesy of Andrea's dad!

We had such a good time, in the two days that we hung out, eating, laughing, and enjoying the Chi. I usually worry that people aren't having a good time, but not with Terri, she was so excited about everything which made it that much more fun to be a tourist in my own city.

Come back any time, lovely lady!

Rachael and Ryan's Big Day 6.25.10

There was a hot pink envelope lying on her pillow the night before the wedding. In swirly letters we all knew it was addressed to the bride to be... a letter from her little sister 3 full pages long. Stating, if I gave a speech at your wedding, here is what I'd say, and tears just sliding down the brides face with joy. It was incredibly cute to see that interaction.

I think Holly may have been more excited than Rachael for the wedding.

The wedding was beautiful of course, any kind of show Rachael puts on usually is great!

And of course as every wedding does, it went by in a flash... breakfast, hair, post wedding pictures, the walk down the aisle (I cried!), the kiss, the blowing of the bubbles on the way out of the church, the pictures, the walking in, the toasts, the food, the dancing... so much fun!

R and R's wedding reception was in an old train station... beautiful venue, but the acoustics were horrible. Everything echoed including my speech...I have never spoken into a mic before and my instruction from the DJ was to pretend like I was eating it. Great... some said they didn't hear a word of the speeches, and some heard it loud and clear... I suppose what was important was that Rachael and Ryan heard every word.

As the sun was setting it was blaring into the reception... here is my Uncle Bill wearing my Aunt's sunglasses. I will laugh at this picture every time I see it!

Me and my very pretty niece.

Me and the very pretty bridesmaids, Holly and Ruth.

Me and Mom

Me and the hubs.

I have to say, I have never seen my sister look better or more glowing than that night.

Here she is, mother of the bride with mom and me.

Again with the bride.

End of the night picture of me and sibs... minus Chris.

Congratulations Ryan and Rachael!!!!

Enjoy your 2 week honeymoon!!!

Nicole and Bobby's Wedding Day

Nicole's wedding day fell the same day as Alisa's bachelorette party and I couldn't be more upset about it. I blame Nicole for not calling me back when I was trying to figure out dates and times for all my personal events. She takes full responsibility.

Either way I was able to stop by Nicole's house and see her get ready before her big march down the aisle. And this was sadly the only picture I could get of her on her wedding day. Her pushy photographers made me get out of the way... understandable I suppose.

Anyways, this picture doesn't do her justice, but I had to post it. I wish I would have gotten one with the both of us, but only had time for this one before she was swept away for her wedding day!

Congratulations a little late to my good friend Nicole and her new Hubby Bobby!!!!!!!!!!!! 6-19-10

Alisa's Bachelorette Party

Saturday June 19th, we celebrated Alisa's Bachelorette Party! Alisa and I headed downtown on the train making our way to the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Wacker. Once there, I got busy decorating the room with all the bachelorette must haves... (Alisa helped!) We all met at the hotel for presents and drinks, and then onward to Bandera for dinner.

Best part of the night by a long shot was this little bouquet of suckers... instead of playing Suck for A Buck where typically guys suck off a Lifesaver or some other hard candy from your shirt, I made a Dum Dum bouquet (I personally think you are asking for a bit of trouble if random guys are touching you!)... and guys paid a buck to get a sucker. Looks like they were the suckers though. Alisa made 92 dollars that night!

Here's her group of ladies... all together.... some had to leave as they have little ones at home!!! But it was great that everyone made it out for dinner!!!! Overall it was a huge success... and the stress is completely off of me now!!!!!!!!!! I look forward to the wedding where my party planning is finally over and all I have to worry about is standing in front of 200+ saying my speech!

Hope you enjoyed your last night out as a SiNgLe LaDy Miss Alisa!