Wednesday, June 8, 2011

3-26-11 Day 2 in Chicago - OAK PARK

These pictures are not an any particular order - but here are the sights we decided to go see in Chi-town.

This is FLWright's home and studio in Oak Park.  I recently finished my master's program and for my final project I completed a biographical study of Frank Lloyd Wright.  This day in Oak Park was wonderful - I restrained from being a know-it-all student with the tour guide.  I was very quiet and listened to what he said even though I totally wanted to tell everything I knew about FLW. 

I really appreciate that Josh and Mara came along even though they probably weren't as interested in FLW as I am.  Josh enjoyed our tour guide and was doing impersonations of him for the rest of the evening.

FLW Trivia:  This is one of the "bootleg houses" that Wright designed and built in secret when he was supposed to be working for Sullivan.  The three bootleg houses got him fired because Sullivan saw them and recognized them as Wright's work.


On top of Willis Tower ( formerly Sear's Tower).  Mara was able to Groupon a free audio tour for us. 

Out on the skydeck.  We could look straight down 108 stories!

Deepdish Chicago Pizza - Yummy

More FLW - his studio

Unity Temple - FLW




another FLW house.

Unity Temple - Mara and I commented that it looks like a fortress.






Even more spiritual than Unity Temple - Tasty Dog. Adam and Josh tried the real deal Chicago-style dogs:
tomato wedges, sport peppers, mustard, dill pickle spear, celery salt.


Another FLW house.  These houses were all within walking distance (a few blocks) of the studio, but it was so windy that we decided to tak a car tour.


The willis Tower tour was very serious.

Dizzy?




Chicago Trip Day 1 Continued

Our Friends Mara and Josh just sent us their pictures from Chicago.

Adam and I at Millenium Park.

Josh got special tickets from his lawyer buddy and we all went to a Bull's game (For Free!).  They were great tickets - lower level!

Josh and Adam in front of all of the championship trophies.

The stands cleared out quickly and we were able to get a good picture of the four of us.

Another Millenium Park Pic.



Mare snapped this picture at the Art Institute.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Thursday, March 10, 2011

1-28-11 Fun winter day

The pictures were uploaded in reverse chronological order

(great for fans of the movie Momento)



We ended the day with a "slumber party" in the living room, where Sadie read stories to Dash.















This is Sadie explaining how her arm was not covering Dash's mouth when she was hugging him.


Sadie kissing her little brother.





Mommy's proof that her arm was, in fact, covering her brother's breathing passages.




Sadie



Apparently, whatever she has to say somehow involves a lot a hand gestures (her new thing.)





Sadie throwing a snowball at Daddy (holding the camera).


Mommy throwing a snowball at Daddy.



Here it comes -

A lot of the dramatic movement is for the camera, Mommy doesn't really throw like a, well, girl.



Peek-a-Boo





Sadie had trouble making the snowballs with the two layers of mittens that Mommy insisted on putting on. So Mommy had to make the snow balls and Sadie threw them at the tree.





After making snow castles, much like sand castles, Sadie had fun destroying them.



Our true mission for going outside was to build a snowman. Before this snow fell, and after the previous snow melted, Sadie was very sad. Driving home one day she just started saying "Oh no! Oh no! The snow is melting and I never got to make a snowman!"

Unfortunately this snow would not stick together well enough to roll. BUT - Sadie seemed to be satisfied with the snow castles.



Dash hung out on the driveway - he can hold and drink his bottle by himself already.



Collecting snow for the castle.


Rather than take the bucket to where she was getting snow, Sadie insisted that she should walk each shovelful over to the bucket, next to the "castle".




Dash's snow outfit.


Grandma says he looks like a Dr. Seuss Who.