Happy New Year 2008!!

Happy New Year, everybody!
For New Year's we did the annual "Joel-palooza"...good times were had by all. Even though I (Nicole) had to leave for work, it was fun while it lasted!! Enjoy the pics:






Joel's version of Plinko, a.k.a. "Drinko"





The kitties digging into their stockings on Christmas. They were SO excited. :)


Uncle Sean and Aunt Brenda were nice enough to get the kitties a Kitty Condo for Christmas...here is Tiger enjoying it. Look- he's even smiling! :)


Poster and Tiger enjoying one of their new toys. We didn't think they'd like this toy as much as they do!
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's!

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours!



We unfortunately have some very sad news in that Nicole's Uncle Skip passed away unexpectedly from complications from surgery on December 21st. Please keep our family in your prayers.
We love you and miss you, Skip.

Yes, it's that time of year again, Folks!

Yes indeed, we celebrated the "12 Bars of Christmas" again this year- what a blast! With around 1,000 people attending, it was supposed to be the largest pub crawl in the metro. Above is a semi-group photo of us...but not really as everyone was scattered...
The following pics don't need a whole lot of explanation! Enjoy!















And again- cute cat pics. We think Poster is enjoying our warm flannel sheets more than we are.


We put up our Christmas tree a couple of weeks ago- Tiger LOVES to sit under it. (And chew on it when he thinks we're not looking.)


Our Christmas-decorated cozy living room! And the cats enjoying the tree again.
Christmas is just around the corner- hope you're all enjoying the season!

Busy busy...

Wow- where is the time going? It's been a busy couple of weeks. Here are some pics from the latest goings-on:


Last weekend I (Nicole), along with my cousin Amy, hosted a baby shower for my sis-in-law Brenda. What a great time! We were so glad that everyone could make it, and Brenda sure made a haul! :)


Here's Brenda and the diaper cake I made for her. The shower also obviously had a Pooh theme. Only a couple of more months, Brenda!!


For Thanksgiving, we were off to Greg's parents for meal #1 and then my Aunt Carole's for meal #2. Ah, it's so nice getting to eat twice on Thanksgiving. Above is the annual Thanksgiving football game with Greg, Rod, Tim, Steve, James and Andrew.


Then, this past Saturday was the wedding of Dorothy and Norm! Turned out beautiful. Congrats Dee and Norm!!


Nicole and Dorothy- I have known Dorothy since the 1st grade- she grew up two houses away from me. I was honored to be one of her personal attendants.


Had to get a weird pic in.


Nicole and Greg all dressed up.


Later that night we headed to the Minnesota Music Cafe to celebrate Kevin's birthday. Happy Birthday, Kev-o!!!


And finally, we've discovered that Tiger has champagne taste. Lately, any time he sees us take out a bottled water from the fridge, he comes running. He likes to drink it out of the cap. In this instance, I think he drank about half the bottle....silly guy.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Sweet Home Chicago

This past weekend we went to Chicago! We decided to go with some pals just for a fun weekend away. Greg, Nicole and Joel went out Friday, and Ryan, Alicia, Beth and Jesse met us out there on Saturday. Gotta love that town. Above is a pic of the skyline from the ferris wheel at Navy Pier. Warning: LOTS of pics ahead...



Greg and Nicole at the John Hancock Center! We stayed at the Westin on Michigan Ave., which was right across the street. We had an awesome view of the building from our hotel room.



Greg and Joel at the John Hancock



We went to Ditka's on Friday night to celebrate Greg's 30th some more. AMAZING food- do you see the size of the cuts of meat???



They brought out like, a third of a chocolate cake to us...yuuuuum.



Had to go upstairs to the cigar bar afterwards. :)



Yes, Nicole even tried one.



Went out to the club Level afterwards...this was a goofy guy we met.


We met up with the rest on Saturday and went to Pizzeria Due. Here's Ryan and Alicia!


More Pizzeria Due



Also went to Navy Pier that night. Here's the Ferris Wheel.



View from the ferris wheel- beautiful or what??



Nicole and Greg, up high in the sky. :)



Joel just really wanted to say hello to us from his car on the ferris wheel (with Ryan and Alicia in the background)...



Then we were off to the Signature Lounge on the 96th at the John Hancock for some cocktails and more great views.


Beth and Nicole at the lounge with the city view behind us.


At the Underground Wonderbar seeing some live music.


At Dublin's for some great food and drinks at about 3am.


Street performer

What a great time!! The weekend was over quick, but we got so much in in just a couple of days. We went to tons more places that we didn't even get pics of, including the House of Blues. Bye Chicago!! We'll be back again someday!!