Honest Championship Pork

For my birthday dinner, we went to Honky Tonk Barbeque.  They took 3rd place in the pork shoulder category at the 2008 Memphis World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.  Yummy in my tummy!

Put Me In Coach!

My dear friend Kendra is the head coach of the North Central College women's basketball team.  These shots are from one of her pre-season scrimmages at Concordia (hence the practice jerseys).  Good memories of my high school b-ball days. Go get 'em this year Coach, and go Cardinals!

"That's not what we discussed in our time out."

(I know this look.)

Coach's #1 fans, hubbie and baby.

The Fall of a Leaf, a Whisper to the Living

Nurtured by Nature

Exploring the North Park Nature Center.

Bees!

On our way out, Isaac spotted a caterpillar.

Moments like these remind me to foster a love of learning,

not only in the boys but for myself as well.

Paradise Pup

Hands down the best burger I've ever eaten,

the Cheddar Char Burger at Paradise Pup.

Recently featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Now the line is longer than ever to get a fix.

Hello little dear.  You want some Chocolate Banana Shake?

The secret is a generous smear of Merkts Sharp Cheddar Cheese Spread on the bun.

What, no Pup for Isaac?  Well, you snooze, you lose.

Independence

While Isaac attends his Tiny Tot Tumbling class, Luke and I gallivant in the nearby play lot at Independence Park.  On this day, for us, the park is aptly named as I am reminded of his ever-increasing independence.

When let loose at a park,

Luke seems to have more fun than you can shake a stick at.

Welcome to Chicago Uncle Eric!

For Luke, dirt is one of the major food groups.

If I haven't mentioned it already, I love having boys.

Great Grand Parents

My grandparents, Bertha and John, flew out from Arizona for a week long visit.  It was delightful to have uninterrupted time with them.

They introduced us to a game called Phase 10, which I now own because I love it!

On one of our last truly nice days of Fall, we took them to our beloved neighborhood park.

Come back anytime! We love you!