Summertime in Chicago

This weekend we were off to Chicago for Mike’s parents 40th Anniversary. Mike and his siblings decided to throw them a party on their special day and I was excited that I could help out.

Our weekend started off with a bang as our Virgin flight attendants decided to reverse first and hook us up with our very own open bar all because Mike’s  TV screen didn’t work. Lets just say for the first time the last row of the plane were the best seats in the house.

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Big Thanks to Jeff and Mike for a thoroughly amusing flight.

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If you could predict we were all smiles by the time we were picked up by Mike’s mom and sister.

Saturday

Just making sure we would have enough ice

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The bar set up - Kevin, Mike’s brother made sure the bar was stocked - I mean we needed drinks to go along with all that ice!

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We strung old photos of the parents around trees in their backyard - it looked amazing and brought back memories for everyone which is always fun hearing the stories that go with the photos.

The party looked so good with lawn games set up in the front and Happy 40th Anniversary signs hung up, until the monsoon rolled through and decided to rain on our parade. It was kind of a bummer we had to take everything down as all the guests arrived and huddle under the tent, but everyone was still happy to socialize and enjoy each others’ company.

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Kevin enjoying his freshly ground and pressed coffee.

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Speeches from the kids honoring their parents - really awesome to be part of these heartfelt moments.

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Sunday

Finally! After 10 years of walking around the outside of Wrigley I was able to break the barrier and attend my first Cubs game - and they actually won!

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So incredibly stoked to be here! Thanks Sara for getting the tix!

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Sara’s handy work on the scorecard

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Ferris Bueller would be proud

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And then from the Cubs Game we decided our Chicago day needed to get a little more Chicago so we hopped on a boat and enjoyed some sunshine in the playpen with a bunch of Mike’s friends.

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And if our day couldn’t get anymore absurd - we were water taxied by Mike’s friends Brent and Sarah and made a pitstop a the bean before picnicking at Millennium Park for the Robyn and Royksopp Concert.

(Thanks Kevin for getting the tickets and planning out a really fun night!)

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After the concert Mike and I took an awesome summer nights walk up Michigan Avenue. This is what I miss in San Francisco - warm summer nights where you don’t have to wear a sweatshirt and you can just be. Really so happy the rain held off and gave us a perfect summer day and night in Chicago! 

Monday

Wandered over to the meat packing district for a Late lunch at Au Cheval - not the healthy meal I was looking for but when you go to a place like this you’ve got be all in. We shared the cheeseburger, duck heart hash, and french fries. Everything was so very good.

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PQM Meats

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And to top off our very Chicago weekend - we spotted the Blue Brother Car and then had a very nice dinner with Mike’s friends and siblings at a BYOB sushi joint called Coast. Great sushi options and great company.

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An overall very successful trip to the Midwest.