I turned 24 a few weeks ago and so far it was the most fun day all summer. Here's what we did...

First we took the "El" train to the Shedd Aquarium (2nd largest in America). The line to get inside was over half an hour long.

We said hello to some friendly baby baluga whales

As you can imagine with a 30 minute wait just to get in, it was a little too crowded for us so we didn't linger longer than we had to, but we made sure to see everything before we left.

Speaking of crowds, we walked over to the Taste of Chicago festival, arguably the biggest Chicago event of the year. It was overpriced but we had some of the best pizza I've ever had and then tasted of some chicken and waffles (not as good as the stuff in NYC, but still pretty tastey)

Once we left that craziness we walked around watching the local "street performers." I guess that's what you could call them. Brady loved the street magicians. My most favorite was a otherwise normal looking 50 year old hispanic lady. She walked over to a spot in the sidewalk, pulling her outdated karaoke machine behind her. Then she set it up and started singing the Eurythmics song "Sweet Dreams (Are made of This)" on her karaoke machine to a crowd of no one.

We enjoyed this type of entertainment while waiting for 5 o'clock, when the art museum let cheapskates like us in for free.

I didn't expect Brady to last long in here, maybe 15 minutes. I assumed he would be complaining within 5, but much to my amazement...he likes art?

Not only art, but modern art, the out there stuff like garbage bags painted gold. One of his favorites was...Blue. He does have a discerning palette though.

This for example, we both agreed had to be some sort of joke, no way could this be art.

I, on the other hand am less original in my tastes. Pretty much, if I recognized it then I liked it. "Hey I've seen this before! It's famous! Now I'm looking at it in real life. Take my picture by it!" That's about how into art I am.

I remember this one being in some textbook in high school or something. I actually kind of like the melancholy vibe I get from it, I feel sad when I look at it but don't know why. That's the power of ART.

Somehow we spent two hours walking around the art museum and by the end our feet needed a break, so to get to Navy Pier we took a water taxi.

It was just us and the Captain.

Then we did the ferris wheel. Overpriced, as expected.

Finally, we topped off the day with dessert and a view.

This sign cracked me up.

He's Gone, he's really gone...

As of last Wednesday Chase has left us for the MTC in Provo. He'll be there for 3 weeks, then off to Toronto. For two years we won't see him except through pictures. We won't hear him except through tape recorders and possibly 4 phone calls. How do so many people do this everyday, be apart from family? It feels awful. I am proud of him though and I know he is happy to go so I can be happy for him.
Luckily I got to be home with him before he left. It may sound melodramatic but the last few days felt like a countdown to the gallows for me. One of those moments where you wish you could control time.

2 years and counting...

It's now been two years and 8 days since we were married. I though I should mark this passage of time with a rarely seen glimpse into the dark depths of my heart.

When I first saw Brady, he was inexplicably barefoot, at a young single adult activity. I'll admit it--with the hopes that no one ever reads this--I thought he was rather handsome. He was kind of hyper and said things that people were thinking but would never say out loud. But I liked that I didn't have to guess what he was thinking. I tend to over analyze people but I found that Brady was an open book and that was a relief. He wasn't calculating, he was just himself, natural. I won't lie we all know his lack of filter has created many an awkward moment and a displeased wife. But I'd like to point out just some of the goodness about Brady that I have come to know.

He loves kids, and admits that he can relate to them very well.

He'll not only watch the shows that most husbands won't watch (ie. the Bachelor) but he loves them as much as I do.

He's more patient with me than anyone else could be.

He can pick out a good purse better than I can.

He always thinks I look good, even when I know for a fact that I don't.

He has a strong faith.

He's great at fixing things.

I know he would do anything to make me happy.

So here's to 2 years of marriage, spent at 5 different addresses in 3 different states.