Walk #3: Lincoln Park

We took another walk on Friday around Lincoln Park. I would have to say that it was our BEST walk yet because it was territory that we hadn't ventured through. Our walk took us 4 hours and was 9.5 miles but we had a blast!

This is the only remaining cottage worker's house in Chicago that survived the 1871 fire. It appears that some renovations have been made but it definitely sticks out on the block.

We walked through 'Oz Park'. It was built in the neighborhood in hopes to bring more people into the community. It was a fun park to walk through with different things for kids and statues of the characters in the Wizard of Oz. We determined that Kyle doesn't have a brain and he was attempting to contemplate this while I was taking the picture.

Wildcat Wonderland?

Lincoln Park is one the best residential neighborhoods to live in for families (rich ones!). Here are a few of the modern style homes in the neighborhood.

On our way home we happened to walk across a house fire. The smoke was very thick and dark. The house was across the street from the school that I work at.

Tonight we are going to the 'Blue Man Group' to celebrate our one year anniversary. I will be sure to post pictures!

"Hairy" Decision

I decided to cut my hair off based on the comments that I received from friends and on the blog.

Here is the before: wild hair!

Here is the after: hard to see the actual cut...I will try later.

Here is a picture of my poor shoe that broke the other day at work. I had to walk around with it flopping for about two hours before my shift ended.

My new shoes. They worked great on our six mile walk the other day.

Since I got shoes, Kyle decided that he needed new ones as well. Don't mind his hairy legs!

When we were on our walk we saw a movie filming I think that it was 'Public Enemies'

Happy 1st Anniversary!!

Kyle and I have been married for one year today!!! I can't believe how fast time has flown by! It seems like just yesterday that we met in the dorm and hit it off right away (I guess I had to dump the guy that I was seeing first though!). Everyone told us that the first year would be the hardest year of marriage and if that is the truth then the rest of our lives are going to be amazing!

The first anniversary gift is 'paper' so Kyle and I were sure to abide by the rules.
His gift to me: Books (this is going to be a separate post sometime)
My gift to him: tickets to Blue Man Group (he has been wanting to go since we moved here)

Today Kyle is working 8-5 and I am working 4-10. I know....we planned that out great! We are hoping to enjoy some vacation time in Wisconsin at the House of Rock in August when I am done with my summer classes.


p.s. I LOVE YOU KYLE!

Decisions...Decisions...

I am trying to decide...should I have short hair?Or long hair?

Happy Father's Day!

Thanksgiving 2004

A long time ago...

Lincoln Park Zoo

On Saturday, we started the morning VERY early by going to the Farmer's Market that opened at 7:30am. We then walked to the Lincoln Park Zoo to see a few animals. I had to work at 11:00 so unfortunately I had to leave early but the rest of the gang stayed and enjoyed the conservatory.

Simba thinks that it is early in the morning too!

Kyle snapped this picture at the conservatory.

The polar bears. They were fighting right here. We could have stayed all day and watched them.

After I got off work, we all went out to eat at a nearby Italian restaurant, Anna Maria Pasteria to celebrate Kyle and I's approaching one year anniversary. The food was excellent and we tried a new dessert called Tartufo. I wish the fun could have lasted longer!!

Lubinus Family in Town: Navy Pier

My parents came to Chicago Thursday-Sunday. We had a busy fun-filled weekend. I had to work at Sports Authority a few hours a day so Kyle was able to entertain them while I was gone. Friday morning we went to Navy Pier. It was EXTREMELY windy out and hot. The weather forecast said rain at 3:00pm but it started around 11:30 instead while we were there so we had to end our trip short. The pictures are a little out of order and I am too lazy to re-arrange them right now.

Mom and Dad inside Crystal Gardens at the pier while it was raining.

I always wondered what I would look like as a blonde. Kyle was worried that we were going to get lice! I was sure to rub my head on him after this picture...

Eating their 'Cheezeborger, Cheezeborger, no fries just chips.' I guess this was a SNL episode back in the day. My parents were able to remember it. Kyle and I just enjoyed the cheeseburgers.

Looking off the pier trying not blow away.

Half of the skyline.

Funny story...When we first moved to Chicago, Kyle got a 'temporary' job selling tickets for this boat. It was quite the experience and let's just say that this job didn't last too long. It was the first time that he had seen the boat in person.

The front gate.

I will blog more on the rest of the weekend later since I am getting ready to head to work. My parents left early this morning to try and beat some of the Iowa storms. Kyle also left around 6:00am this morning to travel back to Ayrshire, Iowa (8 hour drive). His maternal grandfather passed away on Friday morning and the funeral is tomorrow (Monday). He will be staying with his family probably until Wednesday. Keep them all in your prayers...he is certainly in a better place now!

So, things are pretty quiet around here right now...

My attempt at being frugal...

I have been reading several blogs lately from people that use tons of coupons, rebates, and freebies and have decided to join the insanity. I have been clipping coupons all day and filing them in a cute little accordion envelope that I organized my RSVP's for the wedding in. I am going to start my trial period of being frugal to see how well it actually works.

Today I came across a cool deal where you get one pound of coffee and a free travel mug for one month and then you have to cancel the membership so you don't have to buy for subsequent months. Kyle really likes coffee so I figured that this a good idea with coffee being around $10. I will have to keep everyone updated on how well it goes.


I put a new link in my favorite blogs section so check it out! Click on the picture if you want to try the offer.

Walk #1: Wrigleyville and Southport

Our first walk took us around Wrigleyville and Southport (our new neighborhood). Kyle said that we should start off near our place with a shorter one. We combined two maps and walked about 3 1/2 miles.
Our starting point: our front entrance

Since we were walking in Wrigleyville, it took us right past the field. There was a home game today so it was very packed and there were some 'curious' people (that is what Kyle says). One homeless guy had a sign that read, "I am not going to lie, I need a beer!"

Venders were handing out "Wrigley" gum and Lipton single Iced Tea to go. We were glad to get free things and we weren't even going to the game! We also bought this jar of Raspberry preserves at Julius Meinl later on in the walk.

Here is the infamous B of A that some stupid teller decided to give all our money to someone else.

This is the Music Box theater not that far from our house in Southport.

Dairy Queen...Woo Hoo!

I told Kyle that we had to take one picture of the two of us in front of something cool...we decided that it was going to be the DQ.

We had fun and are already lining up our next walk. My parents (Lubinus) are coming up in one week and we are planning on taking several down by Grant Park. Hopefully the weather will be a little warmer; it was only about 60 degrees today and 40 degrees yesterday...burr!

Job Perks and other exciting findings

Mark DeRosa (CUBS player) was signing autographs at Sports Authority (the store that Kyle works at). As difficult as jobs may be at times, this is surely a perk! We had a good time meeting him and taking a picture (we didn't really want an autograph). It is not only a job perk for Kyle, but I have also started working part-time at another Sports Authority closer to Wrigley for some extra cash this summer. I am only taking three classes total this summer so I was able to squeeze in some time.

Exciting Finding #1: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/
We went on a walk this morning after watching Joel Osteen on t.v. instead of going to church. He talked about Broadening your Life and taking a step out of your box and routine in life so we decided to walk instead of watch the tube all day. I was surprised at how far we walked but couldn't figure out how long it would be since we zig-zagged. I found this website and was able to track our walk to monitor the distance and calories burned; I am really excited about it!!!!!

Exciting Finding #2: City Walks: Chicago
On our 4 mile walk, we passed a cute store and decided to peek in it (I told Kyle that I wouldn't buy anything but he did instead!). He found a deck of 50 cards called City Walks: Chicago (50 adventures on foot) that lists different walks that people can take around the city recording different historic locations. We are pumped to use it!
Here is the website to find other cool things: http://www.chroniclebooks.com/citywalks

Happy Mother's Day!

My mommy (UNI graduation 2007)

Kyle's mommy (Christmas 2005)My sister and Ethan (March 2008)

Stacy and Alaina at 4 weeks

packing and unpacking

We are finally for the most part settled! I feel like we have lived here for a long time and kind of forgot about our previous apartment. We have both felt a greater sense of security in our new place and can't wait for all our visitors to come this summer!!!

Packing up at our old apartment. Bye bye little stove and fridge!Our new hallway in the front entrance

The bedroom...smaller than the old one but it works!

Half of the living room...the other half has the furniture on it. Note: we now have a dvd player!! WOO HOO!!

Our kitchen...with a dishwasher

You will have to come and visit us if you want to see the rest: the dining room, bathroom, and closets!!

You know you live in a safer neighborhood when...

1. Children play outside (under parental supervision)

2. You live in one of the only apartment complexes on the street with single family homes

3. Your renters and car insurance rates go down!!! This is very true...

We are glad to finally be moved in. Our moving day was a little rough. The internet had told Kyle that we would get the U-Haul for ten hours when in fact the maximum time is six hours. The U-Haul store was 8 miles away from our apartment (in Chicago time: that is about forty minutes away). So needless to say, we had about four and a half hours to get everything loaded up, cleaned up, drive a few miles, and then unload. I have never complained so much in my life and I feel really bad for Kyle. My bunions were on fire from all the stairs and I considered crying several times. Moral of the story: we will hire people to do all the work for us next time (hopefully not for awhile)!!!

The new place is MUCH larger than our previous dungeon. The natural sunlight is amazing as well. I will post some pictures once we finalize the furniture situation. We are also enjoying our new dishwasher!! I can't believe how much more time we have after our meals by just shoving everything in the dishwasher. Don't let me forget, we all also within walking distance of Dairy Queen (something that is hard to find in Chicago).

I am enjoying my free time after work and the four days off a week. I start classes up in two weeks again though...ugh!