Summer is finally here and we're enjoying every (rainy) moment of it. The end of June, Bart's parents came for a visit. This was the first time they've been to our apartment. I was really nervous, hoping it was clean enough and ready for new visitors. Over the years, I've learned a lot from my sister-in-law about hosting out of town guests and tried to apply all my notes (ex: have a full set of towels ready for them when they arrive so they don't have to ask).
Bart's mom arrived via Amtrack on Saturday afternoon, we went to pick her up and took the train and a bus to our neighborhood. Marzena was excited to try out our dirty/smelly public transportation system and being the weekend of Pride, it was just that :-). We walked around Division for awhile and had some lunch then came home to relax for the evening.
Marzena and her "lalunia"
Ladies who lunch
Sunday, Bart's dad also came for a visit, we went to a Chicago White Sox game and then spent the day walking around the city.
It was great to have Bart's parents come to visit and see where we live and our favorite spots.
4th of July weekend we were invited to go on a much needed getaway for northern Wisconsin to our friend Rick's lake house for the long weekend. We were so eager to get away to a place where there was no cell phone reception, no Internet, nothing for a whole 5 days!!! We left Wednesday after work and got to the Cabin right at sunset!
My good friend Jenn and her two kids celebrated with us at the cabin. It was so great to catch up with Jenn and revisit her love for large pours of wine :-). The next morning we woke up to the beautiful sight of nature and green and trees and water (things we don't see much here in the city.)
We spent our days in the lake floating on rafts, drinking margaritas and laughing a lot, I even talked everyone in the group into being pulled behind the boat on a tube, something we used to do a lot as kids. I still had my skills but we were able to get Bart to take a bit of a tumble (he he he). Rick bought the most amazing raft called the "Relaxation Station" its AMAZING! Alex absolutely LOVED the water and played all day long without a peep. We had fun paddle boating, jumping off the dock, tye dying t-shirts, and not worrying about a thing!
Friday night we went into town for a Fish Fry... I know what you're thinking... how did they get Monica to a FISH FRY?? Lucky for these clowns other options were offered. We had the most amazing experience at the restaurant. Jenn has two wonderful and amazing children, if you ever want to hear about our love for her children, Bart and I could talk about them all day long! Jenn's son, Alex, has autism and sometimes can express himself in a loudish manner that will make people stare. Sometimes I think people are rude or curious or ignorant or assholes or maybe just don't know what else to do. Our waitress told us she is a special needs teacher and asked Jenn if she had certain apps for him to help him communication - it was really great that she was willing to offer her advise and kind words. After dinner Rick took the kids for a walk on the lake and Jenn, Bart and I finished up our bevys, as we were leaving the couple next to us told us that her mother was a special needs teacher as well and she just wanted to compliment Jenn on how good of a mother she is and how well behaved her children were and that she was really impressed. The whole dinner was just wonderful. Jenn is a wonderful mother and I learned so much from her this weekend. You know what, I also learned a lot from Katie this weekend, that girl is 10 going on 40 and the best big sister I've ever seen! Do me a favor, next time you're in a restaurant and some one's child is upset, instead of staring offer up a smile or some nice encouraging words... you have no idea how much you may brighten someones day!
Jenn, Bart and I
Saturday was another fun day in the sun followed by some evening sparklers... I mean it was 4th of July weekend and all..
Katie, Jenn and Bart - I have no idea what Katie is doing but I LOVE IT!
YEP those are HOMEMADE TYE DYE shirts!! I'll make one for ya if you want one ;-)
I'm consistently reminded of how lucky I am to have Bart in my life. He played Mr. fix it, chef, bartender and was so wonderful with the kiddos. I'm one lucky girl!
Sunday was a LOOOONNNNGGGG day it took us 8.5 hours to get home because of holiday traffic!! We are so grateful to have friends like Rick to take us to this beautiful cabin, we cannot say thank you enough!
Oh and this is the ONLY picture I got of Rick the entire trip. This is him spooning "road kill" the stuffed animal. Yep he's flipping off the camera.. yep this is still getting posted since he wouldn't let us take any other pictures. LOVE YOU RICKIE!!!!
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