It's been a fun and busy first part to our summer! Patrick is very busy with school and work. He is now a second year in his program, and the first years have just arrived. He is working hard to help out the new group. He is also working twice a month at a private practice which he really enjoys! I am still teaching this summer. My school is a year round school. I can't complain too much, I get to spend my days outside at parks and going the Lincoln Park Zoo with my kids. We are having a fun summer in my pre-k class!
In June we were able to get to go home for about a week. It was really nice to be able to spend some quality time with our families. I was also able to be in town for Father's Day and get to celebrate with my dad! We also loved getting to see our nephew, Carter. He is just growing so much! He is so fun to be around. Please excuse all the pictures of him. :)
 |
| Happy boy! |
 |
| Uncle Patrick feeding Carter |
 |
| Grandad with his boy |
 |
| Swim time |
 |
| Mommy and Carter |
 |
| Always smiling |
 |
| Auntie Ash and Carter |
 |
| We love this boy! |
 |
| Father's Day with Dad! |
At the end of June, Stephen came into town to hang out with us. We had a full agenda and had a lot of fun! We went to a Gloriana concert, the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Science and Industry Museum, Sky Deck at Willis Tower, Lincoln Park Zoo, Art Institute, river boat architectual tour, plus a lot of great restaurants!
 |
| Gloriana Concert at Joe's Bar |
 |
| Stingray Touch at Shedd Aquarium |
 |
| Stingray Touch at Shedd Aquarium |
 |
| Tour of a U-Boat at the Science and Industry Museum |
 |
| Tour of a U-Boat at the Science and Industry Museum |
 |
| Tour of a U-Boat at the Science and Industry Museum |
 |
| Sky Deck at Willis (Sears Tower) |
 |
| Looking down! |
 |
| The View |
 |
| The Views |
 |
| The Views |
 |
| The Views |
 |
| Elevator ride to the Sky Deck |
 |
| Architecture Tour |
 |
Blackhawks helmets on the lions at the Art Institute. The city has been going crazy over their Stanley Cup win!
|
On June 27th, we celebrated four years of marriage! We had a wonderful dinner at RPM Italian. Such a good restaurant!
On June 29th, we had the UIC pedo program graduation dinner. This year it was on the top floor of the Aon Center, which is the third tallest building in Chicago. It was a great night to get to celebrate the second years and honor all their hard work. As the incoming chief resident, Patrick gave a speech and handed out gifts from him and his co-residents.
 |
| Congrats to Neena for graduating! |
 |
| Congratulations |
We had a really fun and memorable Fourth of July in the city. Our friends from our small group, Bethany and Alden, recently bought a condo in the South Loop. They invited us over to cook out and enjoy fireworks from their pool area on the 30th floor. We could see so many firework shows as we looked across to the west. It was unlike anything we had seen before!
 |
| Great view of downtown from their place! |
 |
| Hanging out with Ashley on the Fourth |
 |
| Look closely at all the firework shows we could see towards the western suburbs! |
 |
| View of the Navy Pier Fireworks |
 |
| Our small group. We are so blessed to get to do life with these other couples! |
In addition to everything else, every night and weekend in Chicago there seems to be some kind of festival or activity to do. We hardly have any down time lately, but we wouldn't want it any other way. Summer time here in Chicago is a ton of fun!
 |
| Taste of Chicago |
 |
| Fun. Concert at the Taste of Chicago |
 |
| Music at the Park. Free weekly concerts downtown. |
 |
| Pool days with friends. |
We still have a lot planned for this summer. We are going to a BBQ festival this weekend, Michigan to visit our friends next weekend, and Alicean and Kevin will be coming in August. Can't wait to share all of our upcoming adventures. We'll post again soon!
Love,
