First snow of the season. (Evo photo)
December 4, 2010
May 7, 2010
The flood.
Just wanted to say how thankful we are that everyone back home is safe. The pictures have been quite surreal.
(The above photo is from the Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927.)
February 11, 2010
Snow. Work. Snow.
Snow is wonderful…
… unless you got to get somewhere. With the sun shinning, there should be some good melting today.
February 9, 2010
February 8, 2010
My dad’s winter visit.
Typically, we don’t get guests during the winter months. But, for my dad, who actually enjoys the cold weather, it was the perfect time for a visit. Now, usually when my dad comes up, we attend a sporting event. But this time, we stayed clear of the arenas, and instead entertained ourselves with a series of tourist stops and dining adventures.
Below are some photos from my dad’s visit:
My dad shows off his Chicken Parmigiana from Da Luciano, a small Italian restaurant that known for having a separate, gluten-free kitchen.
Here’s my dad at Dan’s Tackle Service, an oddity of a fishing store found right in our neighborhood. My dad and Dan had a nice conversation about Arkansas fishing.
During the entire month of February, admission is free at the Art Institute of Chicago. As you can see, we took advantage of it. My favorite thing my dad said, while staring at Grant Wood’s American Gothic, was “this is the only one? This isn’t a copy?” Nope, it’s the real deal.
We finally ate at a Rick Bayless restaurant. The above photo is my chicken chorizo tacos from Frontera Fresco, located on the 7th floor of Macy’s (once Marshall Fields) on State Street.
On the left hand frame, you can see Apryl sharing information to my Dad about the Chicago Cultural Center.
Towards the end of our day on Saturday, we went to the SkyDeck at Willis Tower (better known at Sear’s Tower). This was our visit after the inclusion of The Ledge. My dad would not step foot out there for nothing. But Apryl and I did…
And, a short video:
Oh, and, I suppose I should share the view:
On Sunday, my dad and I visited the Chicago History Museum. Below, my dad points to where his seats were when he attend a White Sox game during a business trip in the 70’s at Old Comiskey Park.
Good seats!
Later that day, my dad and I ventured over to Montrose Harbor and caught this amazing view:
We also saw a few ice fishers:
That evening we watched the Saints win over the Colts while eating Chicago deep dish pizza from Lou Malnatis. Sorry, no evidence of this taking place.
On Monday morning, before my dad’s flight back home, we enjoyed a Chicago breakfast institute, Ann Sather. Below, their famous cinnamon rolls:
As always, it was nice spending time with my dad. I was hoping we would have snow blanketed over the city for him, but most of it was melted. There were a little flurries on his first night in town, but nothing compared to the 14 inches we are expected to have tonight, or the 8 inches expected when he arrived back in Memphis. Until next time…
Check out all the photos here.
January 7, 2010
The New Year.
December 9, 2009
June 9, 2009
Southern Tour, May 2009, Part 2: Birmingham and Nashville
Hayden had to get out of Memphis a second time, for a day trip to a baseball game in Birmingham. A few days later, on our way back to Chicago, we all stayed the night in Nashville with Hayden’s sister Paige and her family.
Birmingham
On Wednesday, Hayden and his dad got to cheer on Hayden’s favorite baseball team, a mere 650 miles away from U.S. Cellular Field. The fates must truly support Hayden’s love of the White Sox. Somehow the stars aligned so that my mom’s surgery was scheduled the day after Memorial Day, putting Hayden in prime position to get to Birmingham the following day for the Rickwood Classic. Only once per season, the White Sox’s AA affiliate, the Birmingham Barons, play at Rickwood Field, “America’s oldest ballpark.” Even being hoarse from his sore throat, Hayden couldn’t help feeling in heaven.
Exterior of Rickwood Field, the oldest operating baseball park in the United States
Hayden up to bat at Rickwood Field
I won’t relate all the details of the stadium and the game, only because Hayden promises to write a full recap later. More photos and video are here.
Nashville
On Sunday, we headed to Nashville—followed closely by Ashley, Sydney, and Clayton—to see Paige, her husband Mike, and their kids, Jackson, Andrew, Reid, and McKenzie Hayden. I don’t know what could have made their dog, Greer, think of making a brief escape. Hayden and I also went out that evening, not for escape, but to see our friend Brad. Fortunately, Eva had plenty of distractions to keep her from wanting to leave Paige’s house.
McKenzie Hayden gnaws on a toy by the pool
Ashley, Hayden, and Paige by the pool
Andrew, Greer, and Sydney after Greer’s escape and capture
Eva on a maize, aka “get it” rug
On Monday, we packed up the car and had a smooth drive back to Chicago—except for half an hour of bad thunderstorms in Indiana.
A thunderstorm on I-64 in Indiana
More photos and video are here.
