School’s Out! Paul finished his last final from his summer semester and we left for Chicago. I had a Community Health Center conference and Paul had some time to relax!
Karen, Haley and Abby met us at the airport as we waited and waited for our bags (the good thing with AK Airlines is that because we had to wait I got 5,000 miles for the inconvenience). Then it was off for a fun day of hanging out with the family. It was so nice just to be able to spend some family time and see the girls. We haven’t seen them since last November :-(
The hardest part for Paul and I of living in AK is that we do not get to see our families as often as we would like. Thank goodness Ken and Sue live here, Paul is certain that Jack is the cutest and smartest little boy, ever!
Since I was traveling for work we stayed at the Palmer House Hilton downtown, it was fun to get a different perspective on the city. I am so glad that my family came to visit Chicago in March 2008, Paul and I have memories of Dad there now. I called Sheri from the bus stop across from Millennium Park where I took a great picture of her and Dad.
While I was at the conference, Paul went swimming in Lake Michigan in the early morning toured the Robie House and talked to Obama’s mail lady. Mary Claire and Paul had quite the city tour! Paul’s friend Mark drove into the city and Paul and he spent a day biking on some trails that Paul had not been on. Next time I hope to be able to join in all the touring.
We got to see most of the family and celebrate Mary Clarie’s BD at a family dinner at Roger’s house. As usual there was not enough time for visiting with everyone, but it was a nice evening. We got to take Memere back to her home at Little Sister’s and talked with Dorthea. Dorthea is doing so well and it is inspirational to watch her as she has confidently journeyed through breast cancer this past year.
My manager Kate, was celebrating her birthday while we were in Chicago. We had quite the evening starting at the Berghoff where her grandfather had once worked and ending at the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building for drinks overlooking the city. What a view of Chicago—even from the women’s restrooms (there is no view from the Men's)!
On our final evening in Chicago we joined Paul's two cousins on the Kotelman side of the family for a great Italian dinner. The streets were crowded and the El packed as people headed for the Cubs game in her neighborhood a beautiful evening!
