January 30, 2011

Shut the Front Door

According to Stacy London and Clinton Kelly you can't go wrong with a belt and a great pair of shoes.

Couldn't agree more.

January 29, 2011

Theater Ambiance

It's nice to be able to go to a theater where you reserve your own seats ahead of time, have the option of sitting on love seats, can pay for VIP treatment, and don't have to sit through a million previews, all for only $6 when you're part of the club. Not to mention that upon walking out of the theater, you get your own laser light show. Which is a welcomed distraction when you are trying to destroy the mental image of James Franco cutting off his own arm.

January 28, 2011

All Smiles

I am not sure why, but this picture just makes me love my job.

January 27, 2011

Planted

Had this plant for 5 months and can't seem to figure out how to keep it alive. Could be we never actually potted it. Could be we only water it every couple of weeks. A coworker told me that peeing in a plants can restore them to health. Mmm... I won't be too upset if this one doesn't make it.

January 26, 2011

Heat(less)

Since hanging streamers in the window, we have discovered that our vent is pointed directly at our window. Every time the heat kicks on, and we see the streamers sway, we contemplate hanging out on the window sill so we can actually feel the warmth before it escapes out the window.

January 25, 2011

Cash Money

The one unit all kids look forward to... counting money! I even love teaching it. Except the part when the kids finally realize the actual value of a dollar and that they can't really buy much with what they have in their piggy banks. But until that time comes (probably in the next week or two), I love watching them get ridiculously excited about nickels and dimes. Just look at Courtney's face...

January 24, 2011

Stir-Fry

What do you need to make the perfect stir-fry? A new stir-fry pan from Jewel Osco (only $12 and 44 reward stickers). Finally a pan big enough to stir all of our ingredients. Say goodbye to mushrooms spilling over the side, and finding broccoli on the floor and carrots under the stove.

January 23, 2011

DA BEARS!

They finally gave us something to cheer about in the fourth quarter. Thanks to Mystery Man Hanie we had a little excuse for some celebration. At one point it even looked like a comeback was in sight. Sadly, throwing a couple interceptions usually ruins it for you, and the Bears came away with a loss. No Super bowl 45, but it was still a fun season to watch!

January 22, 2011

Flattop

Quickly becoming the go to place for birthday celebrations. Why not, when you can stuff yourself full of your own tasty stir fry creations... for FREE!

January 21, 2011

Negatives...

All the cool kids in kindergarten (and even some semi-cool ones in second grade) wear their scarves like this. I think it might make a comeback among trendy adults too.

...Degrees that is.

January 20, 2011

Shades

enough said.

January 19, 2011

Pencil Power

We went on a field trip to "OPEN BOOKS"- a really unique book store in the city that also offers creative writing classes. After creating their own personal narratives, students donned the pencil outfit and shared with the group. At the end of his story, a personal account of a snowball fight his class had against one another, Stephen aimed the massive pencil at the crowd, cocked it like a rifle and yelled, "Now THAT's what a call a Silver War!" I am thinking he meant "civil war" but you can never be too sure.

January 18, 2011

Tri-Taylor

Has consistently been one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Chicago.

Home to inspirational neighbors, lots of med students, jumbo pizzas, friendly strangers, energetic kids, and the best tacos in the city.

We have been challenging ourselves to truly love our neighborhood and our city. What that looks like is still not completely clear, but we're excited for what's ahead, and for what we can learn along the way.

January 17, 2011

SURPRISE!

(...kind of). Katie turned twenty-seven today and also started her internship! To commemorate this huge day a team of highly skilled interior designers decorated the house. Streamers, balloons, and a little bit of glitter have never come together so well. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATIE! We are so blessed to be able to do life with you. Thanks for making it more exciting!

January 16, 2011

1000 Piece Mystery Puzzle.

Accompanied with no picture to help you out, a 15 page story setting up the mystery, and 1000 pieces that when complete will help you solve the mystery. Best of all it was completed in one night.

I now get to check one more thing off of my bucket list.

January 15, 2011

Jackson.
Cutest and Sweetest nephew in the world.
Spent the whole day shopping the outlets in Michigan City with Meme (grandma), Mama, and TT (Aunt Katie.) After being bundled in the stroller for an hour he was ready to get out and play. As soon as I set him down he ran over and face planted, on purpose, in a pile of snow:)
Such a cutie.

January 14, 2011

Joel

My ridiculously talented and somewhat hysterical cousin is possibly moving to the city, so he came to visit for the weekend. After a few days of sightseeing, checking out neighborhoods, deep dish pizza, and subway surfing, I'm hoping he was convinced enough to move here. I may even get him to wear a man scarf and skinny jeans... or not.

January 13, 2011

Chipotle.
Hadn't been there since November 29, 2010. Twas the last supper before No-Eat-Out December. Tonight I officially learned the difference between a burrito bowl and fajita bowl. Apparently I have been ordering wrong for my entire life...and the guy really wanted me to know.
Let my new Chipotle ordering officially begin.

January 12, 2011

Tea Time.
Wasn't feeling 100 percent so I made some tea. God inspired....or really Mandy fell asleep at 8:00 before I could ask if she took a picture. So here it is: January 12 was a happening day.
(So the 'God' was actually a typo for 'got,' but it was just too funny to change)

January 11, 2011

City of Angels

Some days just lack photo worthy moments. In that case, you are forced to create one. This one happened at about 9:30 on our way home from a friend's house, right in front of our apartment. Dirty sidewalk snow makes impeccable snow angels.

Janaury 10, 2011

Jigsaw.

After attempting to complete this puzzle in one night, we finally finished it 5 weeks later.

Yes, it was hidden underneath our table cloth during multiple meals, game nights, or anytime the table was needed.

After some wonderful puzzle piece sorting, it is complete.

Yahoo!

Janaury 9, 2011

Legs.
Took a trip to the torpedo factory which is now an amazing Art Center in Alexandria.
Saw these legs.
Emily and Jillian added their legs.
Look at those legs.

January 8, 2011

Eric.
Master of indoor shuffle board.
Driver of the car.
Husband of Kelsi.
Friend of ours.
Excellent picture taker.

January 7, 2011

Washington D.C.

Pennsylvania Avenue.

Straight ahead: Capitol Hill.

If you have sweet friends like Jillian, they have sweet friends like Art,

that get to give you a sweet insider tour of the Capitol building.

Sweet.

January 6, 2011

Southwest
The ONLY airline with no baggage fees.
The flight attendants may sing to you.
And, you get to pick who you sit next to.
"Ding, You are now free to move about the country."

January 5, 2011

Brazzaz.

No eat out December equals eat as much as you would have eaten in December in one meal at Brazzaz. These men kept the meat on a stick coming until we could eat no more.See the creepy guy on the right, he was really excited to be in this picture.

January 4, 2011

Liza.

A fun night of Last Word with friends.

The category was: A four letter word that begins with b. Among "ball" "book" "boat" and "bait" we hear "LIZA!"

She really thought she won.

January 3, 2011

Tangled.

Obviously we were too excited to see a children's movie to actually focus on getting ready for the day.

I mean, really, we did our hair like that on purpose, tangled.

Get it?

Janaury 2, 2011

Plastic.

Takes your room from 0 to 60 in a matter of minutes. Especially when the window is stuck open. You would never believe what a hair dryer can do. Seriously.

January 1, 2011

House Hiking:
What you do to prepare for a trip hiking the Grand Canyon from rim to rim. Brought on by a spontaneous trip to REI where we were required to climb a rock and hike the stairs with weighted hiking packs.
Here's to hoping Phil Keoghan and an indigenous Grand Canyonite will meet us at the North Rim.
We'll bring the gnome.