Daddy Daughter Weekend and Pride Sunday

Makenna and I were left alone this weekend while mommy, Nana and Auntie Kirsten spent the weekend at The Paper Dollhouse in Sycamore, Illinois.

On Friday, Makenna spent the day at grandma and grandpa's house. They had a great time together. Auntie Kellie spent the night on Friday while daddy went out and took a ride and a run with Matt, Nick and Jarred. We knocked out fifty miles in two and a half hours and then went for a run afterwards. All before 8:00! But then again, when you start at 5:00, you can get a lot done before the rest of the world starts moving.

When we came back, Auntie Kellie's boyfriend Rich (happy one year anniversary you two!) joined us for a trip to the French Market in Wheaton. It's probably the nicest market with produce and vendors in the area and there's always a great find, including terrific baked goods from Hahn's Bakery in Geneva.

Daddy and Makenna both opted for a nap and spent the afternoon playing, shopping and calling it an early night.

On Sunday, we decided to take a day in the big city of Chicago. So many things to do, which one to choose? There's that Bacchanalian food festival, the Taste of Chicago. There was game three of the Crosstown Challenge down at U.S. Cellular Field.

Did we pick either one of those? Heck, no. We hooked up with Uncle Brad (fresh off the successful opening of Oracle Productions' newest show, termen vox machina) at his place and staked out some real estate to watch the 39th Annual Pride Parade!

Did Makenna enjoy herself? I'll leave that for you to decide.




Say what you want about the parade, it's nothing if not a collection of ecclectic individuals. Everybody had a float; even the lottery. And you've to love people who are so comfortable in their own skin.




We went over to grandma and grandpa's house and spent some quality time in the backyard, including on Makenna's favorite backyard accessory; their swing.

We tried a new restaurant for dinner this evening, Uncle Bub's Barbecue in Westmont. I heard one of the owners on a radio show in Chicago and last year, they finished second in sauce at the Naperville Ribfest and first in ribs. The food was as delicious as I was led to believe. If you don't believe me, just ask Makenna.



It was a great day today and an awesome weekend, but we were both happy to come home to mommy who made some beautiful pages that she shared with us when she returned.

Oh, Canada!

So I flew to Buffalo today to attend the NCBFAA board of directors meeting tomorrow at the Holiday Inn Grand Island. If you have the chance to come to this particular hotel, take a pass. The place is old, crowded, staffed with well-intentioned college kids probably home for the summer and just not my cup of tea. We're probably here because we haven't had the opportunity to be close to the folks on the Northern Border who represent a significant amount of the national association's membership. They're great people and given the way that CBP has implemented changes and new rules since September 11th, it's no surprise they're having problems. I'll post more about this later, but our new border security rules have really changed the way people on both sides of the river interact.

But the meeting is tomorrow. Today, I had the opportunity to spend the day with Mike Carroll of Canusa Logistics. Our company has been working with Mike for probably more than twenty years and he showed me the hospitality that is the Canadian side of the border.

Upon entering Canada, he took me for a quick bite at Tim Horton's, a fixture here on this side of things. Lunch was in downtown Ft. Erie where we drove around and he showed me the houses of two members of the 1963 Chicago Blackhawks (they won Lord Stanley's Cup that year). We took some time to shop (Makenna's going to have a few new outfits!) before taking a drive up for our boat tour. The ride took us down a scenic boulevard that passed winery after winery, including one that we know down south called Iniskillin. They make a terrific ice wine.

We took a ride on a Whirlpool Jet Boat tour that took us up the Niagara River.

We went past the power stations which generate hydroelectric power from the river which in places towards the "top" of where we could reach were as deep as 200 feet. You couldn't tell it from where we were, but there was a point at which we passed under a cable with buoys that indicates that if you get in trouble upriver from those points, you're on your own because the Coast Guard won't risk their lives to go get you. The jet boats can do it because they're flat bottomed and not propeller powered. They're impeller powered; they take in water at the front and shoot it out the back. They're powered by 3 x 500 hp Volvo motors and the boat can top out at 60 miles per hour.

The views from the rapids were just amazing.

After enjoying about an hour's worth of a ride, we rode up the Boulevard into downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake on the Canadian side. We had a drink and an appetizer at a street side cafe. Looking down the street into downtown, the view was gorgeous.


We then finished up with a drink at The Olde Angel Inn, which is supposedly haunted. Great place, ton of character, packed for the Friday Night Fish Fry and folks out looking for a beverage.

All in all, it was a great day, but I'm looking forward to getting back home to my ladies because tomorrow is KELLY'S BIRTHDAY!!! I'll be home in the evening, sweetie. Love you and good night, I'm heading to bed because I've got to run ten or twelve miles tomorrow morning.

Got a marathon in October that needs preparation.

SO MUCH FUN!!!

Jack and Makenna spent the day together yesterday and they had a blast! Here is just a synopsis of their day. Ahh...the life of toddlers. Watch out...I have the hose and I know how to use it!!!
I love you!
Hey look, you have a belly button too!!
And they ended the day splishin and splashin in the tub!
What an awesome day! Thanks for visiting Jack!! MC looked at a picture of you this morning and said "jack". She misses you already! We can't wait for the next time... We love you!

With a little help...

Scott cut the lawn last night. Makenna Claire's world is Daddy when he comes home from work so she was so happy to help him with the grass.

Honey, have a good day at the office ... your lil girl will welcome you home with lots of kisses and love. What will you two do tonight?? xoxo

TO DAD.......HAPPY DADDY DAY!!!!

Happy Father's Day Dad!! What a difference a year makes??? This is me last year and look at me today. Wow..I have grown!! Anyways, Dad...you are the best...the cat's meow, the bee's kness...and I LOVE YOU so much!! I hope you enjoyed your special day!

mmmm...many hugs and kisses to the greatest Dad on this earth!!!. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
lOVE, Makenna Claire

We had a quick weekend getaway to visit our friends in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Makenna Claire had so much playing with Serena and Christian, while Melissa and I hung out shopping and scrapping and the guys played with their bikes and running shoes. We didn't take many pictures (boo hoo!) but here are a few...

Can they be any cuter?? And Serena took this picture of Makenna and I..She is a budding photographer, wouldn't you say? Thanks for a great weekend...We love you guys!! Until next month...

LOVE IT!!

Looking at these pictures I realize my baby girl is now a little girl for sure.  She looks so old and mature in these photos that it startled both Scott and I.  She is embracing toddlerhood in every sense of the word and is so much fun everyday.  Anyways...

                                Makenna loves her veggies and she has discovered that eating an ear of corn is delicious and fun.  She ate the whole ear and then had a second!

Scrumptious!!

One more please, she saids.  I think two is enough sweetie!