Memorial Day Weekend. 
Family, Fun and a minor tragedy.

Yes, I am a little behind. It's actually because of the tragedy reference above. You see, we had a great weekend with Ryan's cousin, Rob and his wife Allyse. They came to visit from Minneapolis for the weekend. They had never been to Chicago, so it was a perfect opportunity to show off this great city!! It was a great mix of events and tourist traps and staying up late chatting and just hanging out with each other. It's so fun to have cousins you are friends with!!  The tragedy kicks in when I go to upload the photos from the weekend. I was a total tourist in my own city and took tons of pictures. But, they weren't there. Somehow they magically disappeared from my SD card. I even tried restoring photos which had been deleted off the SD card-- but they weren't there. Other photos from months ago were there, but none from that weekend. So weird. Luckily Allyse had a few she could share.

Water Taxi Tour- the poor man's version of the famous Chicago Architecture Tour. For only $4/person you can listen to Kiley tell you everything she knows about Chicago Architecture. You get what you pay for! :)

Cubs game-- aren't Rob and Allyse so cute?!

In front of "The Bean"

Rob and Allyse in Lincoln Park. Great Skyline shot.

Lunch at the top of Hancock Tower-- this was our view!

Memorial Day BBQ- Delicious!

Close up of our steak skewers.

Thanks for coming to visit, Rob & Allyse! We can't wait for more Midwest adventures with you two!

Summer Bike Rides
Exploring Chicago.

It's amazing how much more you can see when you are on 2-wheels instead of 2-feet! We love taking walks through the city but we especially love being on our bikes. Here are a few photos of our ride:

1st Stop: Prairie Home District

First building in Chicago- home built in 1836. Before the City was Incorporated!

Also in the Prairie Home District- some of the old Mansions from High Society-- the likes of Marshal Field, Palmer, Etc.

Skyline from the Planetarium.

Taking a break -- it was hot and humid!!

Skyline and view of Northerly Island -- a new favorite park!

Enjoying our ride.

Iron & Wine
Summer Concerts at Millennium Park

I knew Iron and Wine was a well-known band, but I was NOT prepared for the crowds waiting for hours upon hours for their show. This is a free concert at the Priztker Pavillion at Millennium Park. I'm assuming it was mostly college kids ditching class who showed up at 3pm to save seats. Seriously?! I thought I was a little crazy for showing up 1.5 hours before the show started to save seats for my 8 other friends + husband. I didn't realize I would be holding down the fort for so long alone... it was kind of awkward, but somehow I made it work. I was grateful when everyone started getting off work and showing up so I didn't look like a total hog with my two blankets out in such a cramped space. Even getting there 1.5 hours early I could barely find a space for my 2 blankets, and that was without even CONSIDERING going into the main lawn area.

Past the gate is the main lawn area for the concert. See how packed it is? Ps. this lawn area can hold at least 5,000.

Right next to us on the lawn area outside the gate. 1.5 hours before concert starts.

We had a great picnic with Asian pasta salad, yummy Wisconsin cheeses, grapes, chips and salsa and watermelon. Delicious, and a great way to spend a Monday night -- great friends, great music, great food. I love Chicago summers.

Immediate area at start of concert.

Great Friends, Great Food, Great time.

Maifest

Chicagoans love their summer festivals. We decided to start our festival season with Maifest-- the German celebration of the start of spring. Well, it was no longer May, and Chicago really never got a spring (it went from Winter to Summer here) but why not celebrate?

Of course the festival was centered around Beer, but we found a way to enjoy the other aspects of it -- carnival games, German bands, and of course Brats.

The festival was held in Lincoln Square-- where the majority of Germans live in Chicago.

The May Pole.

Classic Maifest Chicago Beer cup.

German Band= awesome.

Carnival Game.

We've got our game faces on!

I totally won!!

German gear.

Check out this crowd!! It was crazzzy.

Brat. Ketchup on the side.

German Maifest King and Queen!

Just a small portion of the kegs used in this festival...

Enjoying the music and the festival!