We May Not Get Irene...but we do get some pretty crazy summer storms. 

I've lost count of the inch count -- when you get 9 inches in 5 hours, who is counting after that?

The worst is when you get a crazy summer storm on a Saturday morning -- it really just sets the tone of the day and that is not a good tone. It always bums me out. Especially when I have a beach day planned. Rain, really?

Ryan checking out the rain.

Beginning of storm.

Two minutes later it was this.

We sulked for a few minutes about the plans that were changed but then just soaked up the opportunity to sit on the couch, watch a movie and hang out. Lucky for us, the rain stopped around 1:30pm and we could still get out and enjoy the afternoon. Pretty soon we were on our bikes on the Lakeshore path, watching the Worlds Best Air Show!! It brings 2 MILLION people to the Lake every year.

It never gets old seeing them fly that close together.

The plane is hard to see in this photo, but they flight RIGHT over the pier!!

Lots of people.

We were so glad we got to enjoy the afternoon and see part of the show!!

Savoring Summer.

I honestly can't believe we are closing in on summer. It's been a really busy super fun summer -- and I'm just not quite ready for it to end. Perhaps that's a good thing, because it's pushing me to try and take advantage of each summer night and summer activity that we can. I feel guilty for eating indoors at a restaurant, or not going outside after work. We have to take advantage of every opportunity that we can!!! (Don't get me wrong, I love fall, but after fall comes winter....)

It also helps that we've been having the most AMAZING summer weather for the past 4 weeks. Mid-80's and no humidity?? YES PLEASE!

This week we: 

• Played Frisbee in the park
• Went to the pool (my girlfriend has a membership with a gym that has the most gorgeous rooftop pool!)
• Rode our bikes
• Sat in the park and took phone calls from a few of my favorite women (after the outdoor mutual activity I planned fell apart)

East Bay Club. Where Oprah works out NBD.

Evening view of the skyline from the Shedd Aquarium.

I got BANGS!
Ok, I feel like I'm straight out of the Legally Blonde Move when I say that...

Not sure anyone has noticed from my recent photos, but I made a big change in my life last month -- I got bangs! Couldn't tell you the last time I had them, and I know Ryan is still getting used to them :)

What do you think? 

Sneak peak from our family photos in California.

The Chicago Debate is alive in our Household. 
Cubs or White Sox?

We love baseball games, and Chicago is a great city for that having not one but 2 MLB teams. We have been hesitant to claim a team, but recently I have been feeling the Cubbies and after our recent White Sox game, Ryan decided he might be more of a White Sox fan.

Please note: You can't be both.

So, at the time being, we agree to disagree about who "our" team is.

We did recently go to a GREAT White Sox game -- 3 triples, a home run, lots of hits. By the top of the 9th, Sox were up 7-6. As it was already a little bit late, we decided to take off; beat traffic and get back so Ryan could pack for his early flight the next morning. As we were on the train heading home, Ryan announced-- they tied the game. Ugh. Really? So when we got home, we turned on the game which ultimately led to 14 innings--- and the Sox won!!! It was a great game, great ballpark food, and lots of action. 

The stadium.

No, i don't know these people-- I could get a picture without someone in it. The statue from wining 2005 World Series.

View of Chicago from the field.

We love baseball games!!

Summer fun with T & M!
My older sister, Tarin, and her husband, Marc, came to Chicago to visit us in Chicago.

Memories make the best gifts, don't they? My parents purchased plane tickets for Tarin and Marc for their birthdays to have a weekend sans kids (they have 4) and visit us! We had so much fun-- running all over the city and also having  a relaxing Sunday.

Jazz concert at Millennium Park. I packed a picnic and we enjoyed some awesome music and a great night.

The cutest couple ever.

in front of the U-Boat

Museum of Science and Industry- one of our favs!

Uh, can we get a little more building in that picture? :)

I love this building -- the only building standing from the 1893 World's Fair.

Couldn't help but grab a photo of these pretty flowers.

Deep Dish Pizza!!

Marc watched Food Network and found out Pizzeria Uno is the original Deep Dish Pizza in Chicago. We enjoyed Pizza Al Fresco on a gorgeous August night. Sadly, this is the only photo of the 4 of us!

Walking through old town after seeing Second City -- Little did we know it would lead to a 10-mile walk that day.

This church is just gorgeous.

We love Navy Pier Fireworks! Every Wed and Saturday in the summer.

Sunday Dinner!!

Banana Pudding for Dessert-- amazing!

Dinner- Steak, Summer Veggies and roasted potatoes. YUM.

Other weekend activities include: 
6am run to the United Center
Dunkin Donuts (when the rain spoiled our yoga in the park plans we decided to go for donuts)
Chicago Hot Dogs
Architecture Tour
Art Institute of Chicago
Cultural Center of Chicago
Garretts Popcorn
The Fugitive (gotta watch a Chicago movie when you are here!)
Eating 2lbs of Hersey Chocolate in an hour
10 Mile walk from Old town, through Gold Coast, River North, Navy Pier and along the lakefront
Dinner at Weber grill (al fresca again!)
Trying to make it to the top of Hancock Tower (a 30 min line to get in the elevator deterred us)
Trying to get to Buckingham Fountain in spite of Lollapalooza going on (it didn't work)
A lazy Sunday--movies and naps included
Lots of laughs---


Can't wait to see you guys again! Let's meet in Ohio.

Korean Festival
Yes, my husband lived in Korea for 2 years and loves all things Korean.

For the record, it was rainy and kind of cold that day and I was super bummed to be wearing real shoes, pants and a sweater. Luckily summer weather is back :)

Ryan was even super excited to learn that our Dry Cleaner is Korean. Now I have to be careful when I let him go with me to the Dry Cleaners--- they will talk for days in Korean. I love to hear him speak, and the Koreans are so sweet and look at me with a huge grin and say "He is really good!" Ok, he's a little rusty, but it's pretty awesome to watch my 6'3" white husband speak to these sweet Koreans.

Needless to say when I learned about Korean Fest we had to check it out. This Festival did not disappoint. Ryan even said it reminded him of days he spent in Korea. Traditional street food and of course our favorite: Korean Karaoke!! What a great way to spend a summer night-- and see my husband in his element!

Korean BBQ.

Kimchi pancakes -- my fav!

They love their Karaoke.

This guy was awesome.

I love that Chicago is so diverse! After a quick wiki search we learned that Chicago is the #4 city for the most concentrated Korean population.

Sometimes a great date means a walk in the park.
It helps if its a really big, beautiful park.

Ryan and I found ourselves walking through the south section of Grant Park last night. We were in search of the Chicago food trucks (Which were no where to be found); and were easily distracted by the many other beautiful aspects of this park. A few fountains, many beautiful flowers, and a summer dance/concert series had us mesmerized by this amazing green space in our own "backyard". We have spent a lot of time at Millennium Park (The north end of Grant Park) but haven't ventured down to this area before.

Isn't it amazing, we said, that we have lived here for 1 year and haven't spent any time down here before? Yes, it is amazing. We realized it is time to re-visit our Chicago Bucket list and see where we are at ... there are so many great things we still want to explore while we are living downtown! I feel so blessed to live in a place that is so diverse and bursting with amazing things to see and do!!

Isn't this just gorgeous?

The Chicago skyline never gets old. Especially from a new vantage point.

I LOVE Buckingham fountain!

Closer shot of the fountain.

Isn't this garden just stunning? It's the Tiffany & Co. Garden... no wonder I loved it :)

In garden where they hold the Summer Dance Concert Series. So colorful and bright!

That group of people is the dance floor!! It was awesome!

The singer/Jazz Flautist was awesome.

Perfect summer night. Outside, dancing the Cha-Cha with my love! Yes, Ryan danced the night away with me! (or maybe just 30 minutes :) ) We ended the night with some amazing gelato in the South Loop neighborhood.

As we walked through the park, and I held my Ryan's hand, I thought "sometimes a perfect date can be as simple as walking through the park". Admiring the beauty around us, the joy we have in spending time with one another, and exploring a new place we have never been. I love it.