Happy 4th

We had a great long weekend, and ended up getting a lot done around the house, with enough time left over for some much needed relaxation.

Saturday started out rainy, but by the time everyone arrived, it was wrapping up. We had a nice BBQ with some happy mark&tina-gria.



(Don't mess with Beth when she's packing corn!)



Turns out, this neighborhood gets pretty nuts on the 4th. There were so many fireworks, almost as much as we saw when we headed out to Palatine the night before to hang out with Michael's mom, brad, and my mom. It was like our own personal backyard show.

Feeling quite full, and wanting to walk around in the weird smokey fog which descended upon us, we decided a walk from our past was long due, and walked the 2 blocks over to the 2 flat where all of our family grew up. We sat out side and sang amazing grace... I'm sure if anyone saw us they would think we were nuts, but it was an ode to the legend that was Aunt Gracie.

We were going to walk around some more, but people were lighting fireworks on that block, and since some were blowing up in the street, we quickly got the hell out there.

We wrapped up the night with some s'mores (Hollie, you're the BEST). Yummmm. It's been forever since we had those.


Sunday morning, we went out to the backyard to lay in the hammock. About 6 hours later, we finally got up since our neighbor next door was barbecuing and made us up a plate (they rock!). So we had to move to go sit at the table, then back to the hard work that is chilling in the hammock. It was just what we needed.

BBQ Fever Part 2

We started Sunday with some of the best weather we've seen this summer - Sunny, with a nice cool breeze to start out the day.

Off we headed to the Taste of Chicago, where Michael was playing with the Jeannie Tanner Quartet.

Joe, Annie, Alan and Page were able to make the trip down to watch Michael perform, and the band sounded GREAT!

Sorry about the seasick inducing camera work...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27v6ZJ18VOQ

Afterward, we took the El home to get ready to host a BBQ for both of our families. It was a smashing success! We were so happy to have everyone be able to join us and see the Happy Bungalow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4hbd1X9Mng

It was simply the perfect day.

BBQ Fever

Our guests have left, headed on the road to traverse America, but before they did, we had several more BBQs and a few more jam sessions. It's pretty insane how well brick and glass-block windows insulate the sound of live music being played at 1am.

Cathy helped by unpacking a ton of boxes, (remember this sight), and organized the basement so we can now actually walk in each of the rooms down there! I didn't think it could be done, but she really gave us the jump start we (Mike) needed. Now, next week I get to make calls to get quotes to insulate the attic. Then we can move all the basement crap to the attic... of course, a big yard sale, or huge donation to charity may not be a bad idea either. Only problem is that forces us to actually look in all the boxes, I don't see that happening any time soon.