Paddleboarding in the Lake!

Kel and I headed up to Montrose Beach to go paddleboarding - no pics of the paddleboarding because I had to keep the camera dry, but you get the idea.

It was awesome...a great night - warm, low wind. Afterwards we went to The Dock for beers and tacos!

Fancy Camera!!!!

I've been "threatening" to do it for awhile...I took the plunge and got an SLR! Woo hoo! So excited! Liz tipped me off to a great sale at PJ Camera and off I was to get a T2i Canon Rebel....but, they were out and the model discontinued....so, T3i it is! I got the 18-55mm lens and the 55-250mm - can't wait!!!

Thanks Liz, Rachel, and Kara for all the help!!!

Now time to book my digital camera bootcamp groupon @ the Chicago Photography Center!

Melissa on a Mission

Mel is getting ready to head to El Salvador for a year - check out her blog! She is going with an amazing group called Enlace which partners with local churches to enable sustainable change in communities across the country.

Of course we needed authentic El Savadorian food - Mel picked up pupusas, I made plaintains, salsa, and guac - delish!

Melissa's bday is around the corner so her mom mad Bailey's cheesecake - delicious!

Good luck Melissa - you're going to do great and I can't wait to visit!!!

Jen and I having a post party dance party.

K & D

After a really fun afternoon dress shopping with Kel the night of the engagement party was finally here! Dan's cousin Tim owns the Cedar Hotel and hosted one heck of a party!

Ready for a great night!

Kel in a Jeff sandwich.

Liz and Mike post painting disaster!

Loved seeing the Cadas!

Less than a year!

Laughing with CA and Dan.

Proudly displaying the flags designed by Rachel.
Family shot!
Vino Mezcal.
Matt was super excited to see Kel and Chelsea.
End of a great night!

One Year!

One year from today these two will be tying the knot!

First a rehearsal dinner on the Dutchess!

Then a wedding at Saint Ben's and reception at Big Foot!

Big wedding day tomorrow - we're going to look at dresses for Kel for the first time and then having an engagement party with friends and family! Yay! Can't wait to celebrate!

Celebrating Boka Style!

I had a gift certificate and reason to celebrate so Kelly, Dan and I headed to BOKA!

Dan also has Boka as one of his new accounts, so we were treated like VIPs the entire night. To start, we had salads. Dan had the field green salad with roasted peaches.
Kel had the beet salad.
I had the red quinoa salad.
And the chef gave us an heirloom tomato carpaccio with watermelon - yum!
The chef also thought we may enjoy some caraway dusted quail - yep, we did!
And he also thought we would like pork belly with a bun and porcini mushrooms - incredible!
Kelly had the scallops for her entree.
Dan had salmon.
I had the trout with stuffed squash blossoms and red rice - all were delicious!
We split two deserts. Michigan blueberries with corn bread and cream cheese gelato.
And finally a chocolate cashew cake with caramel gelato and english toffee.
An incredible evening...I highly recommend Boka - incredible service and delicious food!

CORN ROAST!

My Dad holds a corn roast for the association every year....nothing beats Wisconsin sweet corn!

We upped our game this year by using the fire pit.
Dave, Dan, and Tony discussing corn tactics.
Soaking the corn in salt water.
BB and Sushma came up for their first corn roast...they'll be back!
Grills lined up a a back up.
mmmm...
Corn's ready!
Dunking the corn in butter before heading over to the salt shaker hung from a tree.
A very successful day!

Happy Birthday Mom!

For Mom's birthday this year, Kel and I took her to see Peter Pan at the new 360 theater. But first...dinner at Davanti.

I love the design of the restaurant...well done Davanti!

Dining al fresco....

I couldn't agree with the menu more - One cannot think well, love well, sleep well if one has not eaten well.

Heirloom tomato salad atop watermelon - delicious! And some cheese and salami.

Amazing corn, mushroom, and walnut salad....

mmmm...pizzza...

Happy birthday to you!

Peter Pan was SO FUN! I highly recommend it, we had a great time!