Winona Lake with Cousin Pat

We took a road trip with Pat to Winona Lake which is near Warsaw. Take that, mapquest, we found it this time, without your help, ha! We had lunch at The Boathouse Restaurant. This time, we sat on the screened-in porch. The view of the lake was beautiful. Food was delicious, like last time. The wine list was fun! Long descriptions of every wine, made them all sound good. Since it was going to be awhile before we drove, we all enjoyed (well, not Maya, silly) a delicious glass of white wine. I wish I remembered what it was, oh well. Then we went out on a floating pier so Maya could feed the fish. Not wise, after having a glass of wine, but when were we ever wise?! She had a blast. My girl fits right in with Mom and Pat.

One of the stores sold copper bubble-maker-thingies and had a demonstrator outside in front of the store. Well, who, with a three-year old, could pass that up! Not us! It was very fun for Maya and ahem, all of us. It did make incredible bubbles.

Maya's dress, by the way, was made by Toni Tierney. Through someone on twitter, I found out that she was having a special sale and you needed to call her. Well, I'm not big on calling on the phone, but what won't I do for a bargain. So I called her and left a message. She called me back and we chatted. She just enjoys talking to people and hearing their stories. I told her about us and order two summer and two fall dresses - I asked her to pick them out. They are adorable! I think this is one of the fall ones, but Maya wanted to wear it. I like that it's unique. As much as I like Carter's clothes, gosh, you see it coming and going.

If it's too cold to swim....fishing!

Wayne's Birthday!

We went to Wagner's to celebrate Wayne's birthday. Maya remembered that was the restaurant we went to with Uncle Fred and Aunt Carol AND it's the one with the scary picture. There's a framed Tanqueray poster with a green devil holding a bottle. Maya acts as if she is so scared of it. But the ribs and steaks are too good for us to listen ;)

Then after dinner we went to Grandma and Grandpa's for german chocolate cake (Daddy's fave, of course!).

Convention

I went to a crazy convention this weekend at the Sheraton in Chicago. 1,480 women.....can you imagine the volume level? Whew! Here's some photo's of the fun! The swag was UNBELIEVABLE. I am going to be the queen of re-gifting this year ;)

Today...

Today was Katie's funeral. Just too sad for words. It was in the same church where she and Bob got married - only nine years ago. Katie was thirty-five. Too sad. We were all in the church and the pall bearers brought her in - just so reminiscent of turning to watch her walk up the aisle for her wedding. Too sad.


Uncle Julius, Bob, Aunt Marge, Steve, Carolyn, Samantha, Megan, Michael, Chris, me, Maya, Wayne, Mom, Dad, Pat


Carolyn, Mom, Me, and Maya


Steve, Carolyn, Mom


Chris teaching Maya how to flip. He also taught her how to "fist bump".




Michael, Samantha, Bob, Megan, and Chris


Carolyn (Bob's sister) and Steve came in from California. She's my one-month-and-one-day younger cousin. We would always play together at family events. Bob's three older children came in from Arizona and California. We hadn't seen them for awhile - too long. Cousin Pat just happened to be here, visiting from Arizona. Years ago, when she lived in the Mansards, she would see Uncle Julius and Aunt Marge frequently and they kept her extra key.

Rich's Visit

My brother was conducting a workshop at a conference in Chicago, so he stopped by to see us. We went to Popolano's for dinner and were able to eat outside in the beautiful weather. The next day we had breakfast at Sunrise, before he had to leave for Ohare and home. Pat met us and then she brought her things over to our house. She's visiting from Arizona and will stay with us for almost a week :) Pat was the flower girl at my parent's wedding and my confirmation sponsor. She's always been on of my special cousins. She bought me my first Hummel.

McGinnis Pub

We went to Michigan City - Lighthouse Place. Right next door to Cafe Elite is a cute pub called McGinnis. They have a large outdoor eating area and the weather was so nice, we decided to see what it was like. Excellent food! The patio area floor has large pieces of assorted granite - very cool. There was a large outdoor fireplace. Mom and I had the blue cheese burger, it was very good. They also had something called Treck-abouts, potato wedges coated and fried. Different and good.

Craft night at Fazoli's

Grandpa and Maya share a lemon ice.
Gra

Life is Short

My cousin's wife fell sick last week, she's on life support and likely not going to survive beyond tomorrow. She's not even forty years old...... Life is short. Note to self - don't waste a minute.

7/14/2009 Rest in peace, Katie. You will be missed.