Silly Chili

Moca

2012-02-18T12:26:00.000-06:00

Rats!

2012-02-18T10:58:00.001-06:00

Moca today

2012-02-18T10:48:00.001-06:00

Elliot hits the Blue slopes with ease. Day 3 of skiing.

2012-02-14T11:42:00.000-06:00

Natalie and Ava learn to turn with Grandma Sue

2012-02-14T11:13:00.000-06:00

Nata and E.B. ski together - "You know I can do the chairlift"

2012-02-14T07:56:00.000-06:00

Julie's birthday on the slopes

2012-02-13T15:51:00.002-06:00

Success with the icing

2012-02-12T16:43:00.000-06:00

Restaurant day at The Boundary

2012-02-11T14:25:00.002-06:00

Fun fund raiser for LaSalle II today.

Friday at the Shedd

2012-02-10T11:42:00.000-06:00

elliot. DickinSon. FartS ANd lOVeS WhaLES. EAts chiCKen Eggs

Super Bowl Party

2012-02-09T19:52:00.000-06:00

We focused more on the Man U - Chelsea game and our first try at chocolate fondue. Big success.

Elliot can really turn them

2012-02-03T22:17:00.000-06:00

Nata on the tow rope

2012-02-03T22:09:00.000-06:00

As you can see, she got pretty comfortable today.

Skiing - Day #2

2012-02-03T21:58:00.001-06:00

Jules, Larry, Sue, Cle and the kids hit Wilmot again today, this time the Gomez family came along. Cle remains a saint for her patience teaching the kids. Nata and Ava even got up on the chair lift today. Sounds like tons of fun.

We made the Rainbo calendar. Hooray.

2012-01-29T10:19:00.001-06:00

Garfield Park - Learning about harry potter world from professor stuber

2012-01-28T15:01:00.001-06:00

Who professes in Florida.

First day on skis - Wilmot

2012-01-27T11:47:00.002-06:00

Great success for both EB and Nata on their first day as skiers. We learned that tow ropes are the worst. Elliot got up on a chair lift and took several runs in the afternoon. Thanks to Cleora, he can even stop now. Nata climbed up the training hill and skied down several times.

Jules and I returned to alpine skiing after a decade-long break and had blue bird Tahoe day for our triumphant returns, upper 30s and clear skies with no wind. Awesomeness all around.

Skiing with Sarina

2012-01-27T11:16:00.001-06:00

Harry Potter Bad Guys

2012-01-23T21:13:00.002-06:00

Audrey came over for a playdate and they played Harry Potter. Elliot is Ron Weasley after a big battle. Natalie is the little known ghost/vampire with a dark (flower) mark. Audrey is Narcissa Malfoy making her meanest face.

UPDATES: Nata says (1) E.B. was on the good side. (2) Her mark is a snake. The red is his big tongue.

Little snow shoveler & Perfect Powder Day at Humboldt Park

2012-01-21T09:36:00.002-06:00

Temps in the 20s, no wind, 6 or 8 inches of fresh snow and bunches of buddies. Good day!

New outfit handmade by Auntie Lynelle. Cute!

2012-01-16T18:08:00.001-06:00

Flash back to skating with the Gomez family

2012-01-16T15:19:00.001-06:00

Pseudo snowboarder

2012-01-15T11:34:00.001-06:00

Two side ponytails together equals pigtails.

2012-01-15T08:58:00.001-06:00

Cake time.

2012-01-14T14:21:00.001-06:00

Ava's bday!

2012-01-14T14:15:00.001-06:00

Ava's birthday scrum.

2012-01-14T14:05:00.001-06:00

Hipster t-shirt file continues to rock.

2012-01-08T17:48:00.001-06:00

On the way to Alliance.

2012-01-07T13:57:00.001-06:00

Sarina's broken leg demands a stroller ride : (

Skating with the Gomez family at Millennium Park

2012-01-05T17:38:00.001-06:00

Sarina's first swing

2012-01-05T14:18:00.000-06:00

Hard to believe it is January 5th

2012-01-05T14:17:00.000-06:00

Door County New Years #3

2012-01-02T20:33:00.001-06:00

Jules, EB and I took a hike in Peninsula State Park. Elliot bounced back and forth between us for a couple of miles straight. It was very funny/exhausting. Nata did some puzzles with Suzy and Kiki and took a cool self portrait with Sarina (her American Girl Doll that looks like her) on the way home.

We also ate like kings and now must give up all food and booze for a month.

Door County New Years #2

2012-01-02T20:26:00.001-06:00

On New Year's Day, we went into Jacksonport for the Polar Bear Plunge. The temp was in the upper 20s with minimal ice in the lake. Probably the most favorable conditions in a decade. Tim, Jonah, Julie, Elliot and I all wore swimming suits and were considering jumping in. Once we saw the crowd and felt the wind pick up, that idea died a quick, merciful death.

The creek behind the cabin was much easier to navigate and no liability release was required so and I took a "Montana Bath." I can't believe the people at the event weren't whining more when they came out. It was cold.

Door County New Year's Trip

2012-01-02T20:16:00.000-06:00

Suzy and Tim invited us up to Suzy's folks place in Jacksonport. They have a gorgeous cabin that backs up to a creek. There is a table that is great for crossword puzzles and a big bed for jumping and fighting on. Tim, Jonah, EB and I went for a hike at Cave Point and found some great rocks for climbing. Dominoes proved to be very popular as a game and a building material. Nata got sick and kinda missed the first day watching movies and regrouping.

Kopp's was our first stop on the way to the Door. Nice start.

2011-12-30T12:32:00.001-06:00

Garfield Park

2011-12-29T15:01:00.002-06:00

Hit it with the Mercs, McMahons and brought Ava along for her first trip. It is looking pretty good considering the massive damage from this summer's hail storm.

Nutcracker on horseback

2011-12-28T13:03:00.001-06:00

Christmas Day Self Portrait taken with new Nintendo DS

2011-12-27T21:34:00.000-06:00

No portrait was made after the battery died. SUCH sadness.

Marron glaces under construction.

2011-12-27T11:06:00.001-06:00

It takes four days to candy chestnuts. Given that they sell for $5 a piece we figured it was worth a try.

Natalie takes Sarina on her first trip to Milk & Honey.

2011-12-26T14:47:00.001-06:00

Elliot's new Adidas sponsorship leads to a 10 - 3 victory over Dad.

2011-12-25T09:31:00.002-06:00

Octopus pasta sauce under way.

2011-12-24T12:22:00.002-06:00

We had big success with our first try at octopus pasta sauce. Even Grandma B agreed. We also made homemade pasta, boiled shrimp and cracked open some fresh oysters. Feast #1 complete.

Christmas thug and family hit the Christkindlmarket Chicago

2011-12-23T16:13:00.002-06:00

We had dinner at the snooty 7th floor food court at Fields. Great views!

Cupcake w/red frosting

2011-12-23T15:59:00.000-06:00

Heading downtown

2011-12-23T15:58:00.001-06:00

Gross

2011-12-23T08:41:00.001-06:00

Christmas Cookies

2011-12-22T20:26:00.000-06:00

Bean and Grandma B led the charge on this one. Nata was locked in E. B. only dabbled.

Pattern queen

2011-12-22T10:49:00.000-06:00

IMG00755-20111222-1040.jpg

2011-12-22T10:41:00.000-06:00

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2011-12-22T10:21:00.001-06:00

LP Zoo lights feat. Aunt Bean and Gma B

2011-12-21T17:47:00.003-06:00

Redmoon Theater time

2011-12-18T12:19:00.001-06:00

The Winter Pageant was called The Teeny Lounge Presents this year. It was very entertaining for the grown ups. It could have used a little more in the way of visual spectacle (or a slightly shorter run time) for the kids though.

Rook trophy!!!

2011-12-16T15:26:00.000-06:00

Cindy lou who who was no more than 2

2011-12-16T14:06:00.000-06:00

Museum of Science and Industry Fieldtrip

2011-12-16T14:00:00.002-06:00

Elliot's class took a field trip today. Nata and Jules met up with them and raced cows apparently.

Will it ever snow?

2011-12-14T08:51:00.002-06:00

We missed Mom

2011-12-11T18:22:00.001-06:00

Sheetcake made from scratch, baby.

Papa bear

2011-12-10T17:05:00.000-06:00

Chilitos!!!

2011-12-10T10:28:00.001-06:00

Daddy Hobbit with Star Wars xmas windows at work

2011-12-09T09:13:00.001-06:00

Holiday block party at Rainbo

2011-12-04T18:11:00.001-06:00

Natalie and Elliot drew the giraffe taped to the backdrop. Nata was rightly concerned that it might be "too boring" without a giraffe,

Sweet treat while Mom recharges

2011-12-04T14:58:00.000-06:00

Snowman Event at LaSalle II

2011-12-03T20:30:00.002-06:00

It was one of Julie's finest events. Lots of help from Larry and Sue made it possible. Many parents and kids decorated snowmen on the lawn of the school. The weather turned very nice and we even got some sun. Nata went caroling, took a ride in a horse drawn carriage, and hung out with her future principal. Elliot played tag and got super muddy.

Neither a Schuerr nor Dickinson snowman was made but lots of fun was had.

Tree lighting at the State of Illinois Building

2011-12-03T05:20:00.001-06:00

Elliot's school with its United Colors of Benetton demographics continues its association with Governor Pat Quinn. This time they sang Christmas carols at the Thompson Center tree lighting ceremony. Jules chaperoned. Nan, NoNo and D came too.

EBD's Thanksgiving performance

2011-11-27T20:04:00.000-06:00

Christmas lights are up.

2011-11-27T16:42:00.000-06:00

We also have TWO Christmas trees.

Yes, two.

Bird's nest! Bed of moss!

2011-11-25T16:20:00.001-06:00

Fay farm. AKA the edge of the earth.

2011-11-25T15:35:00.000-06:00

OK. Now I'm stuck.

2011-11-25T15:31:00.000-06:00

Ride in the tractor at the Fay farm

2011-11-25T15:09:00.000-06:00

Eat your heart out, Fletcher!

Ready for his Thanksgiving play at school - also Thanksgiving Feast

2011-11-22T08:48:00.003-06:00

MacArthur's donated the feast. Classic far west side soul food joint.

He gets smallpox and dies. Fun!

Putting his new bifocals to work

2011-11-21T17:08:00.000-06:00

Snowmen and the pink poodle

2011-11-18T21:33:00.001-06:00

We've been painting fools lately between the back stairwell and the snowman decorating fundraiser for LaSalle II that Jules has been working on for Do Division Holiday.

First grader

2011-11-18T08:17:00.000-06:00

Lil Helpers

2011-11-13T13:35:00.002-06:00

Painting the stairwell white instead of battleship grey. Everything went great until the kids decided to re-enact Bunnicula by covering green tomatoes from the garden with primer.

Eggs from Audrey's chickens. Yummers.

2011-11-13T07:30:00.001-06:00

Hedwig the Chicken's egg is blue.

The REAL Last BBQ of 2011?

2011-11-12T20:08:00.001-06:00

D Boy fired up a sweet smore. Nata and the panda also ate a smore.

No sleep till brooklyn!!

2011-11-09T20:36:00.001-06:00

Beth, Julie and Suzy took the kids for an overnight to the Keller place near New Buffalo, MI. Shockingly, the Moms got the kids to bed later than the Dads did up in Wisconsin a few weeks ago.

Dads rule!

Rainy day

2011-11-08T08:32:00.000-06:00

The big boy getting bifocals

2011-11-07T16:36:00.000-06:00

Last BBQ of 2011?

2011-11-05T18:54:00.003-05:00

The Mercs and McMahons came over. Brigid McMahon made a very special guest appearance. Hot Chocolate and Rumple Minze also made a very special guest appearance. Mike brought Bombette Pugliese. Elliot said he was "smoking pipeweed." Good parenting!

Emissions testing can be fun!

2011-11-05T13:14:00.001-05:00

Headlamp paseo with purple glow stick

2011-11-03T10:59:00.000-05:00

Candy insanity

2011-10-31T17:42:00.001-05:00

We hit the hood with a pretty good crew - Mercs, McMahons and Argyle-Mackies. Finished up with split pea soup on the porch giving away as much candy as possible.

City kid: trick or treating at Small Bar

2011-10-31T17:02:00.000-05:00

Birthday Party

2011-10-29T19:38:00.002-05:00

Both sets of Grandparents traveled across long distances to attend. The Mercs won the grown up costume prize - Angry Birds. Basically it was controlled chaos for three hours. The pinata and Ice cream sundaes instead of cake worked out well. Elliot dressed as "Tom," the protagonist of the Beast Quest series, of course.

Birthday hat trick

2011-10-29T13:06:00.001-05:00

We even imported a big Blue Demons fan from Texas. Julie's Bellatrix Lestrange/80's prom hair was killing me all day.

Now he's got a hat trick hat trick for the season.

Boo Palooza at Wicker Park - facepaint time

2011-10-29T11:01:00.002-05:00

Facepainting in action

2011-10-29T10:33:00.004-05:00

The Junior League of Chicago was working Boo Palooza

2011-10-29T10:33:00.003-05:00

Project- Pizza on pita with Laughing Cow cheese. Big success but we are a little concerned about blue bloods coming west of the Kennedy.

Birthday boy owns the tripe for Dim Sum

2011-10-28T12:12:00.000-05:00

Good eyes don't need glasses

2011-10-28T09:43:00.002-05:00

Bifocal time!

2011-10-28T09:38:00.001-05:00

Second year of pre-school. School pic

2011-10-27T20:15:00.000-05:00

Birthday gyros

2011-10-27T20:14:00.000-05:00

First try. It was a big hit with the nearly seven year old.

Bikin' to Humboldt Park

2011-10-23T16:57:00.000-05:00

Spun out on our bikes this morning. Nata had the best view, looking back out of the tot tote.

Front porch ice cream, for reals?

2011-10-23T14:52:00.000-05:00

Smores and head lamps

2011-10-22T18:48:00.002-05:00

Early sunsets means smores, AND reasonable bed times. Hooray for fall.

Bubbles and the Hat Trick

2011-10-22T15:01:00.000-05:00

4 to 1 victory for Blue Demons.