Let's just say it's Freedom Week.
As Bono said, "America is more than a country-- it's an idea".

On Tuesday, July 5, we went to Soldier Field and saw U2 360. It was awesome. The venue, the seats, the company, the band-- awesome. Its definitely one of my top favorite concerts I've ever been to. I loved being at Soldier Field-- I think it's my new favorite concert venue (I hope to see a football game there one day too!) U2 loved the Chi-town fans and did 3 encores for us-- it was a 2.5 hour concert just with them! Interpol, who opened for them was also phenomenal. Such a great summer night.

View of Soldier Field from the Pedestrian bridge.

I love these columns.

 

U2 are true performers-- they love it and you can see it. So awesome.

Happy 4th - Continued. 

We took full advantage of the Holiday and had a really great 4th of July. Started with Tennis in the morning (side note: at the park at 8:30am we found caution tape up where families had blocked off their designated picnic areas for the day. They already had their smokers going with BBQ Chicken-- I was trying to figure out how I could get a piece of that... so jealous). Ok, so after tennis we cleaned our house, had a quick (delicious) lunch and then rode our bikes and met some friends at Northerly Island Beach. It was so hot in the sun, which made it nice to swim in the lake. My first time swimming in Lake Michigan!

I love going to the beach and seeing this gorgeous skyline in my view:

Monday evening we hosted a BBQ with some friends from our ward (check out this awesome festive ice cream cake our friends made!), and then walked over to Millennium Park to watch the Navy Pier Fireworks.

Custom ice cream cake -- so delicious!

Fireworks in the distance-- we didn't have enough time to walk the extra mile to get closer to Navy Pier. It's ok-- Navy Pier does Fireworks shows every Wednesday and Saturday in the summer. We'll see them again :)

Seriously, such a great 4th-- the only thing that could have been better is if we were with our families. I have to say, my favorite part of the evening was when we got home and I heard Ryan yell, "Kiley get our here!" I went out to the balcony and saw dozens of 4th of July fireworks going on in the western suburbs. We were 3 for 3 seeing fireworks shows in the suburbs over the weekend! It was the perfect way to end the day.

Happy 4th of July!
Here's a secret: In Chicago I love the 3rd almost as much as the 4th.


We've had a really great 4th of July weekend already. We just returned from a trip to Michigan, including the famous Mackinac Island (blogs from that trip to come soon). As we drove into Chicago we saw at least a dozen fireworks shows going on in Michigan, Indiana and Chicago. It was awesome. On July 3rd, we sung Patriotic songs at church, BBQ'd and then headed over to Millennium Park for the Symphony Orchestra concert of "American Songs" including Star Spangled Banner, Overture of 1812, Armed Forces, etc. It was amazing. A great way to spend a Sunday evening. After the show we hung out with some friends in their condo on the 54th floor of their building. After admiring the gorgeous sunset, we spent an hour watching dozens of fireworks shows going on out in the suburbs of Chicago. It was so cool!! We finished the evening with an American Classic Movie: The Sandlot.

We love the Pritzker Pavillion and the concerts in the summer!

I love the 4th of July -- so many great memories of spending the 4th with my family; but also because I'm so grateful to live in America. We are so blessed to live in this beautiful country and have the freedom that we enjoy. Especially right now with so many others fighting for the freedoms that we enjoy, and take for granted. I am grateful for my family and friends who continue to fight for our freedom. Thank you for your sacrifice and dedication to our country.

I hope you're having a great 4th!!

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!

The Music Box Theater

Imagine stepping back in time to see a movie in the 1920's. All you have to do is go to a movie at The Music Box in Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. It's a beautiful old historic building, with detailed beautiful architecture inside, and a big red curtain in front of you as you sit down. You hear music- and realize there is someone playing the organ at the front of theater. It's such a magical and unique experience -- and one that I look forward to going back to again.

Concession Stand.

Theater.

This theater is also unique in that it plays independent and foreign films. Last weekend I talked Ryan into seeing Bill Cunningham, a documentary on a NY Times fashion photographer. I really enjoyed the movie. This guy is an expert in his field, and this movie shows Bill in his element. He is happy, and someone who loves life-- and you see it in his face and how he interacts with people. It's so refreshing to see a movie that showcases a happy person-- who enjoys life, enjoys his life, and is well respected by his peers because of it. His life is also very fascinating because he is happy without the things that give my life purpose -- close family relationships, an eternal marriage, and future family.