Weekend FUN

The weekend began by seeing the Nutcracker at the Auditorium Theater on Friday after work with Cerena, my mom, and our friend Katie.  Upon arriving to the theater we were escorted to our seats... which were in the FRONT ROW!  Not really sure how that happened, but we weren't asking questions!  I have never seen a performance from the front row; it is a very different experience.  Good and Bad.  We were so close that sometimes we were unable to see the dancers' feet, but at the same time, we could really read they're expressions which you wouldn't be able to do from seats farther back.  We concluded that really the 3rd row is the best location!  Next time.

After the performance we met up with my dad and Greg for dinner at La Madia.  YUM.  Danny, his mom and two cousins were also able to meet us after they finished dinner at G.E.B. 

We happened to be celebrating our friend Katie's birthday too!  Yay!!

The following day, we went for a nice brunch and Longman & Eagle, before heading out for Wisconsin.  We always have Christmas with my mom's side of extended family a couple weeks before Christmas, which is a nice way to spread everything out around this busy time.  This year it was hosted by my cousin Jim, who lives outside Madison in Edgerton, WI.

Danny's mom, Ellen, also happened to be visiting at the same time so she was able to join us this year!  We are so lucky that so many people made it, with everyone's busy schedule.  Always nice to see the cousins :)  OF course we played the GAME and "Left Right Center", our newest game addition.  We are a game family, through and through.

After the party, finding a bar to hang out in was a little sketchy at first, but we soon found a predictable sports bar and settled in nicely for the evening.  We all stayed in a hotel that night so we could enjoy ourselves without worrying about driving home that night. 

The drive back was tough because we were all so tired and it was snowing!  It made for some pretty pictures though:)

Sunday night we had one more party!!!  We were celebrating the birthday of Tyler, a co-worker, in a two part "Tyler-Fest".  It began at a private event at Paris Club held once a month, primarily for the Gay community.  There were plenty of drinks and glow-sticks alike to keep us well entertained for a good 2 hours!

Following the dance party, we had dinner at RPM, a new Italian Restaurant by a client of ours.  Both the atmosphere and the food was impressive.  We ate and ate and ate.

Tyler received his final birthday gift from our boss/office; a Knoll Womb Chair.  Very jealous.  If you know what this is, you know how incredible of a gift it is.  We have an extremely generous boss, but Tyler is also an incredible employee :)  Happy Birthday Tyler, one more time!

What a Day, a SPA Day

Well that was amazing.  My friend Laura found this Groupon MANY months ago, for a Spa Day at the Palmer House Hotel, and asked Cerena and I if we were interested in going.  We both considered it for about 4 seconds, and then we purchased them. 

Here are the deets:

$99 for $320 in spa services

• 50-minute customized facial (a $110 value)
• Eye-firming mask (a $20 value)
• 50-minute Swedish massage (a $90 value)
• Express mani-pedi (a $65 value)
• Day pass to the pool (a $20 value)
• Aromatherapy (a $15 value)
• Complimentary glass of champagne

Yea.  I know!  Although the pool was a little underwhelming (and 5 floors above the spa... ) the actual spa was very nice.  The very best part was that we were escorted to the "Relaxation Room" after each treatment.  We pretty much took over that room all day.  Haha.  Luckily we all brought snacks, and Laura packed us each a PB&J.  Really, could it get much better?   Cerena scheduled each treatment, with 1 hour between each one so we could fully utilize the facility.  Great move.  

I hope this is just the beginning of our Spa circuit around Chicago.  Sounds fun!

We went picking!

A few weekends ago the 'rents and I packed up the BigRig and headed to Wisconsin to investigate a few Honda Passport scooters Debbie found on Craigslist.  It was just the trip I needed to get out of Chicago, and have some good old fun.  We even got to hang out with Aunt Taffy! 

Upon arriving in Madison we went directly to meet the first Craigslister. Aaaaand.... purchased.  Two complete bikes, one parts bike.  check and check.

Stop number two was heading out of Madison at someones house.  Peeking out of the back shed was a gleaming Yellow Passport!  It's just what we were looking for.  A little steep on the price, but Debs worked her magic aaaaand... purchased.  One Yellow Passport with less than 300 original miles!

Dinner was at the Tornado Club in downtown Madison.  The food was great at this"supper club" style spot, and the drinks were extra great.  Lets just say we had a good time.  :)

The next morning we unpacked our bikes that we had brought along, and went for a nice little ride through the countryside.  Our destination was to see this Lustron home that is out in the middle of nowhere!  Its an all metal prefab home built in the late 40's.  Pretty strange but interesting to see.  

So, it turns out, picking is actually pretty fun!!  Hope to do some more soon.

Corresponding!

I'm a sucker for a good note, especially if it's writen on my Remington 'Quitet-Riter'.  I let Danny borrow it tonight to do some long due corresponding.  

It's finally cooling off around here, and we are breathing a sigh of relief!  I hope tomorrow will be just as nice.  I have plenty of dusting and vacuuming planned :)

Ramsey Vacation 2012

Every year, my mom's side of the family plans a trip to a new destination, where we all stay together, cook together, and do a lot of card playing and puzzle solving together.  This year's vacation was to Lexington Kentucky.  While we were there, we traveled to Louisville to go to the races at Churchill Downs our first night.  Betting on horses based solely on their names, we didn't exactly walk away winners, but we did have fun!  

 After the races we met up with Danny's brother Andy and sister-in-law Emily, for a really nice dinner out on a patio.  It was really good seeing both of them, but espcially good to see Emily's baby bump!!  :)  

Saturday we packed into two cars to go on a wirlwind tour of the Kentucky countryside.  First stop, a horse farm with our family name "Ramsey".  We couldn't resist a picture!

Next on the list, Shaker Village.  We were just here long enough to walk down the main street once, and quickly browse the gift shop.  This little village consists of 8-10 buildings that were at one time a functioning compound for Shaker people.  It is now converted to a bed and breakfast (sort of) with different activities on the grounds.  Danny and I definitely want to revisit this "town" and possibly stay the night.  You're dinner is served candle light, and it's supposed to be very good!  

 We had to cut our time short at Shaker Village in order to make it to at least 2 of the 6 Bourbon Distilleries.  We all decided on Four Roses, and Maker's Mark.

The two are extremely different, which is interesting since they make the same fairly specific spirit. We quickly became Bourbon experts, learning the criteria of what makes it a Bourbon and not a Whiskey:

1)  Made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn.

2)  Aged in new, charred-oak barrels

3)  Distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof

4)  Entered into the barrel for aging at no more than 125 proof

5)  Bottled (like other whiskeys) at 80 proof or more

When it came time to taste the Bourbon, it took everything in me to even bring the glass to my mouth!  Debbie was trying pretty hard to, and she was much better at it than me.  Cerena... well lets just say, she tried half a sip and she was done.  So basically that meant that our elft overs all went to Austin, Danny and Greg!  :)

 Maker's Mark was much more commercialized, but still a pretty small production.  At the end of the tour, we made our purchases and dipped each bottle into the famous red wax.  Very fun day!

On our ride home the next day, Danny and I stopped in Columbus, Indiana for a quick dinner and an even quicker walk around the interesting town.  This little town is known for it's buildings designed by famous architects, in an otherwise very quaint and ordinary Indiana town.  We will DEFINITELY be going back here too!

We had such a good time, and we can't wait for next year's trip, which is going to be to Galena for Cerena and Greg's wedding!!!!  Yeah!