Laddy's and Amy's Visit to Chicago

Last weekend, Laddy (Steve's cousin) and Amy (his far superior half) visited us in Chicago. When they arrived on Friday, we went to the city for dinner and met up with Nathan Matney, a friend of ours from Grundy, whose wife (Sarah) is from Chicago. They just happened to be in town for the weekend. We reminisced and exchanged "Cline" stories over dinner at the Grand Lux Cafe. Afterwards, Sarah and Nathan said their goodbyes and the rest of the crew headed off to Second City to see "Between Barack and a Hard Place". It was absolutely hilarious.



The following day, we woke up late and took the train to the city for some Chicago-style pizza at Giordano's. After lunch, we strolled Michigan Avenue, allowing Laddy to take his pilgrimage to The Apple Store. To say that he is an enthusiast would be stopping way short of the true extent of his love for reliable, fast, user-friendly electronics products. If he received a referral fee for everyone that he has switched over to a Mac (including Rachel), he would be a rich man.





We also went to the Lego store to take pictures of the 8 foot tall Lego Darth Vader (Laddy and I are both avid Star Wars enthusiasts). Arriving at Millenium Park, we watched the kids play in the tower fountain. It is really a neat concept; the towers have faces of people on them. Once every five minutes, the face forms an "o" shape with their lips, and water is shot from the tower onto the screaming kids below.

Unfortunately, the Art Museum was closed when we arrived (Laddy and Amy, if you are reading this, we really apologize. We had no idea it would close at 5 PM). Luckily, a puppet-master provided entertainment for us before we caught the train back to Tinley Park.

After a quick stop at Benny's Beverage Depot, the Home Depot of refreshment (shout out to Reed), we grilled out at the house and listened to Jimmy Buffet, who was playing a concert at the First Midwest Bank Ampitheater (about 1/2 mile from the house).

It was awesome to hang out with them. We wish they could have stayed longer, but we are looking forward to catching up with Laddy and Amy again (and all of our other friends in Knoxville this fall).

I would like to give a shout-out to my boy Reed at jockeyhollow.blogspot.com and his spot-on analysis of the Michael Vick saga. Check it out. I promise to get links to some of my blogging friends as soon as I get through with finals and find a new place to live in Philadelphia.