Jax Easter - Mar 31

For Easter weekend, Nadine and Dave flew down to Jacksonville, Florida to visit family and friends.  Dave flew from San Francisco to Orlando and Nadine flew into Orlando as well.  Nadine arrived Thursday night, while Dave missed his flight out of San Francisco and couldn't arrive until Friday morning, UGH! 

Nadine spent Thursday night at her cousin's house (Elizabeth Lippa) in Orlando.  Friday morning she picked Dave up from the Orlando airport, and then joined Liz & Marty at one of the CrossFit gyms that they owned.  It was a quick visit for Dave, but then it was time to drive North to Jacksonville.

Along the way we visited Saint Augustine, where the supposed Fountain of Youth was located! We also visited the old fort that was there...a nice pitstop during our long drive.

Then on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday we stayed at Pat and Katherine Snyder's house.  On Saturday we drove out to Jacksonville Beach and played along the beach.  Unfortunately it wasn't warm enough to swim, surf or sunbath.  But on the way home from the beach, we stopped off a for hot yoga class, and it was great!  Nadine and Katherine are both teachers, and Pat and Dave enjoy a good class too.  From there we went home, watched Michigan win their Final Four game against Chicago-Loyola, and then go out for some nice dinner.

Sunday we slept in and then got ready to go to the Orlando airport.  We said our goodbyes and then sifted through the many spring breakers at Orlando airport visiting Disneyland, ha!

Visiting Cousins Elizabeth and Marty at their CrossFit Gym

Saint Augustine / Fountain of Youth

Hot Yoga in Jacksonville

Sonoma Wine - Mar 24

For the annual CMU Ski Trip that Nadine's friends put together...the trip was a Wine Tasting trip in Sonoma Valley (near Napa Valley).  Several groups attended, with babies in tow!  Nadine and Dave flew out on Friday and arrived to the rental house after the sun had set.  The next two days invovled taking a bus to several spots and then retiring back to the same rental house.  There were plenty of laughs, games, and can only be described by the photos below!

  

St Pattys Day - Mar 17

Saint Patrick's Day fell on a Saturday this year, and Nadine and Dave have always wanted to go see the Chicago River get turned green!  The weather forecast was brisk, but we headed into the city by parking at the Blue Line at Rosemont, and taking the subway train into the city.

We arrived just as they started to turn the river green!  It was cold, but the excitement from the crowd kept everyone warm.  The river was packed with traffic, and there was hardly a spot to find along the river to watch the color change.  To get the green color, an orange vegetable oil is added which works to create the perfect green color.

After seeing the river turn color, we headed over to Greek Town to join our USM friend Connor to watch a rugby match!  Connor lived in Ireland for awhile, and actually knows several of the Ireland Rugby players, so it was a great way to start the morning (and the bar wasn't crazy packed either).

After some food and plenty of Guinness, we continued to follow Connor to a high rise party that he was invited too.  We didn't know anyone, but the view of the Green River was amazing and by that time the sun was out!

After a great afternoon, we decided to hop the train and head back home.  We could have stayed out with other friends, but we needed to sober up and relax!

Turning the water green

Trying to stay warm!

Ireland v England Rugby Match

Nadine, Dave and Connor (from USM)

View from the high rise party we were invited too

Kay 30th Bday - Mar 1

Nadine's best cousin Kayleigh was having a big 30th birthday party, so decided to fly over to Rochester to celebrate.  We also had not seen Ralph since he left Pittsburgh from being in the hospital for 6+ weeks, so we were really looking forward to the weekend.

We arrived on Friday and stayed at Ralph & Olga's.  We also officially celebrated Christmas by giving them their Africa gifts from our Honeymoon (a Lion & Lioness, for King & Queen of the jungle).  On Saturday we into Rochester to setup the 90s-themed party for Kayleigh!

The party was at the old bowling hall in the church where the Lippa family used to have parties decades ago, Saint Boniface.  The party was great fun and visiting, and when Kayleigh stood up to say Thank You...she dropped the news that she was pregnant!  Wow!  We were so happy to be there to hear that news!  On Sunday we headed back to Chicago.

First time seeing Ralph

Silly parents, and Africa gifts from our Honeymoon!

Mother & Daughter

A funny baby photo of Nadine (center), Kayleigh (right) and Nick (left)

Kayleigh & Alex drop the surprise that they are pregnant!