First Snow!

We finally got our first snow last week! It didn't snow for long and it wasn't cold enough to stick, so I was not able to capture any pictures, however I caught a screenshot of the weather app for proof! LOL

Tater is even sporting his sweater when Joe isn't around to take it off. :)

To celebrate Jim and Maggie's birthday on their last week in Chicago, we went to The Webber Grill downtown for dinner where I indulged in Beer Can Chicken. YUM. Afterwards, we ended the evening with a night cap at the Hancock Building on the 96th floor Signature Room. Views were spectacular and the photo's just don't do it justice. I sipped on some champagne and enjoyed the sights of our new home town. Too bad the snow didn't stick- we'll have to go back there for the view with snow.

Notre Dame Plays Navy in South Bend

Well, as many of you know- Joe and I are obsessed with Notre Dame football. (ok- Joe is). One of the deciding factors in moving to Chicago is the proximity to South Bend. Enter our first HOME Notre Dame game since we moved! Joe's family came out to Chicago from all over to join us, first Uncle Jim who attended the Naval Academy is able to get us tickets every year. His wife Patty, Joe's parents (my favorite in-laws) from North Carolina, Uncle Kevin & Aunt Chris from California and Uncle Mike from Ohio. Quite the crowd. Pretty certain that was the most people we have had in our apartment at one time.

As usual, our trip started off by a stop at the bookstore for some high priced paraphernalia. Then the storm blew in! The clouds got dark and the rain and hail hit. It was beautiful and made for some fantastic pictures.

After the rain and a few beers, Joe and I toured the campus and covered the Dome, the Grotto and the Lake.

And the football game! Or should I say butt kicking? 56-14

Touchdown Jesus!

Uncle Jim (still a happy camper even though Navy lost)  with Uncle Kevin

Uncle Mike- GO IRISH

On Sunday we went sight-seeing. We saw the famous Chicago theater sign and Marilyn Monroe statue.

After all the fun was over, we had to go back to reality. BUT, thanks to our friend Jacquelyn- we got a new couch! It's like we are grown-ups, the couch we had was over 15 years old and full of holes. Not to mention it was blue leather. LOL

Month 1- first visitors

Joe and I hit our first month anniversary last week! I can't believe how fast it went. We have continued to experience the local flair, including TRYING to eat at the Doughnut Vault on weekend mornings. Only thing is, they open at 9:30 and close when they sell out. The line is endless! One morning maybe we will get lucky.

This weekend we had our first visitors- Joe and Angela from Ohio. Joe and Angela used to work with Joe at the hospital in Phoenix but moved to Ohio a few years back. We hadn't seem them since our trip to Pittsburgh in 2009. The Scarano's had never been to Chicago and Joe and I are still new so naturally we did the touristy stuff. Saw Solider Field, The Field Museum, took a water taxi to Navy Pier, ate at Harry Caray's, experienced Chicago style stuffed pizza (Gino's East), went to Wrigley Field, saw The Bean in Millennium Park and of course stopped at plenty of bars to drink beer and watch football- what we all do best. And no, we still didn't get into the Doughnut Vault!

 

Bloody Mary's and Ginormous Beers at Harry Caray's

Water Taxi to Navy Pier

Wrigley Field

 

 

 

 

The Field Museum

 

Art Institute of Chicago Museum (Ferris Bueller)

 

 

 

We  miss them already!  Hobbs and Tater enjoyed their visit as well. Both are settling into city life and we even bought Tater a nice blue fleece jacket for the approaching winter. 

Can't wait for our next visitors, the Niehuses & Cokers, come to town in a couple of weeks!

Exploring the 'burbs

Joe and I took the car out yesterday and explored the burbs. He had a gift certificate to Cabela's and needed a quality sweatshirt/jacket for the quickly approaching winter we have been hearing about. On our way to Shaumburg, IL we made the obligatory stop at Steak and Shake in Rosemont near the airport where we always stop when visiting Chicago.  I played tourist and took a picture of the leaves, restaurant, and store. I have a new saying: we can be tourists for the first month. Then we have to be locals and not take pictures of everything.

After our day in the 'burbs, we went to a Notre Dame bar our good friend Jacquelyn found in Lincoln Park called Racine Plumbing. Joe was right at home as we watched them KILL Purdue! I took a picture of this poster hanging in the bathroom stall (yes, I took a picture from the bathroom stall) of the bus rides to South Bend. Might take advantage of that one next weekend before Joe starts his new schedule which includes working Saturdays :(

After recovering from our fun night out, Joe and I decided to take Tater on a long walk to Groupon which is located in the River North area. Joe wanted to show me where his new job will be. We stopped for Slurpee's on the way, let Tater run around a new dog park and took the River Walk route and saw some kayakers, boat tours and enjoyed the beautiful 60 degree weather.

Groupon sign behind him

It was a good walk for Tater.  He hasn't been adjusting well to all the city noises and actually gets a bit psychotic at times. Hobbs on the other hand, is enjoying life on the 13th floor balcony. (until we get our new couch, the recliner is out on the patio).

To embrace fall and add to our new apartment decor, I made a wreath for the front door. Trying to incorporate some DIY ideas from my new obsession Pinterest.