Catching Up

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted. We have been busy, busy, busy! I had a post all written up from last month so I will post that now and add pics at the bottom of what we've been up to since then! Enjoy! 

Last month Patrick's mom, Brenda, came into town.  Brenda grew up in Michigan just an hour and half away from Chicago. We went to Stevensville, MI for the weekend and stayed at Brenda's sister's house. We had a great time exploring the town and area Brenda grew up in, and Patrick had visited often as a kid. The highlight of the trip for Patrick was visiting Old Baldy. Patrick and Stephen loved going there as kids. The hike up the top was definitely harder than it looks! Great views!

Bentley loves road trips! First time in Indiana and Michigan.

Patrick, Bentley, and Brenda at the beach in St. Joe

Patrick, Bentley, and Ashley at St. Joseph, MI

Top of Old Baldy

 Barbara, Brenda, and Patrick

Brenda and Cally after brunch in Chicago

Brenda and I about to watch the fireworks

The trip to Michigan and Brenda's visit was definitely the highlight of August! In addition to that, we got to go to Soldier Field for the first time. Our friends David and Morgan came into town because her dad was the ref for the Bears game! Very cool! It was so great seeing them! And yes it was cold and rainy. Don't be jealous in Texas! :)

Soldier Field

The Hargroves and us at the Bears game

Soldier Field with a view of Lake Michigan

Last month I celebrated my 25th birthday! Thanks for my family members who gave me such wonderful gifts. I appreciated it so much! Patrick and I spent the day shopping on Michigan Avenue, we went to Cantina Laredo for dinner (I needed some Tex-Mex!), and we went to Howl at the Moon which is a dueling piano bar. Great day!

    

Birthday on Michigan Avenue

Birthday dinner :)

            

Piano Bar

Friends celebrating with me

Our group at Howl at the Moon

Patrick payed the piano players to keep playing "The Eyes of Texas" me! They played it more than any other school song!

We went to the Chicago Air & Water Show. Here are some pics from that. It was pretty amazing seeing all those planes!

Recently, poor Bentley messed up his toe nail and we had to have it removed. He was in a wrap for a few days and had to wear a cone. Poor little guy! He is all healed up now!

 

The rest of the pictures are of other things we've been up to here in the city recently:

Our favorite spot in the city! We never get tired of it!

At Oz Park next to the Dorothy and Toto statue!

Cupcakes and cookies at Sweet Mandy B's

Buckingham Fountain at Night
 

American Gothic at The Art Institute of Chicago

Night Hawks at The Art Institute of Chicago

Vincent van Gogh at The Art Institute of Chicago 

Monet at The Art Institute of Chicago

Mandy and Addison visited over Labor Day weekend!

Views from the Hancock Observatory

Mandy and I at the aquarium

I went home to Texas for a weekend! Caught a Texas game with my parents :)

Helped host a baby shower for my sister in Dallas!

White Sox game with Patrick's co-residents

White Sox Game

Major League Soccer- Chicago Fire game

Pictures from a fun photo booth at the Fire game

Well, that's what we've been up to the past month or so! Patrick is still enjoying school and working on his patients. I recently started a job at a private preschool in Chicago in the Lincoln Park neighborhood (my favorite area). I am a teacher for the pre-k class and I love it!

That's all for now. I'll try and update more often!

Love,