Archive for the ‘Vacations’ Category

Katra & Karl’s Day Off

Posted June 10th, 2010, 6:50 pm by karl

With the boys in Springfield at Grandma & Grandpa Ayappa’s house for a few days, Katra and I were able to have a few days to ourselves. On Thursday we followed in the footsteps of one of Chicago’s greats (Ferris Bueller) and drove downtown to visit Millenium Park and the Art Institute. Not having a red Ferrari handy, we settled for the silver minivan.

In Millenium Park. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion visible in the distance

A closer view of the Cloud Gate. If you look carefully you can see my reflection. Katra is a little harder to spot (she's wearing a white shirt).

The view looking up from directly underneath the Cloud Gate. My reflection is visible in at least five places in this one.

Self portrait

Our snack from a nearby cupcake shop. (drool)

Full view of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, with a few early arrivals for a concert later in the day.

The recently completed modern art wing of the Art Institute, with the lake visible in the distance.

Part of the Chicago skyline from the bridge to the Art Institute. The building with the diamond face is the Smurfit-Stone Building (yes, that's the real name, and no, I don't think it has anything to do with Smurfs). Just to the left of it is the building where I work. The tall building just to the right is Trump's recently completed hotel.

After touring the new wing of the Art Institute, we stopped to get a drink at Cosi. That's Watermelon Habenero Lemonade. It's spicy and it is FANTASTIC.

Even the Art Institute lions are getting in on the celebration of the Blackhawks' recent Stanley Cup win.

This is the bike that Jack built.

A view of both towers of the fountain. The inside faces are giant display screens showing the faces of various people.

Most of the time, the faces are just staring straight ahead, sometimes smiling and sometimes not. Every five minutes or so, this happens!

Morton Arboretum

Posted June 6th, 2010, 6:40 pm by karl

Today we had the most beautiful weather we have had all year, and we took advantage of it by visiting Morton Arboretum.

Time for a snack.

This is a solid stone ball. It's sitting over flowing water so you can spin it with your hands even though it weighs many hundreds of pounds.

Disney Madness

Posted May 8th, 2010, 9:56 pm by karl

When do you know you have finally slipped the rest of the way into insanity? When your Disney trip planning looks like this:

We spent probably three hours tonight planning meals, events, and park visits, after many hours spent reading tour guides and restaurant reviews. We used a different color post-it for each park, and yellow for events and meals at the various resorts.

Sadly, this is what it takes when you need to make dinner reservations six months in advance.

Apple picking at the farm

Posted September 6th, 2009, 9:40 am by karl
Driving the tractor with Bopaw

Driving the tractor with Bopaw

19098

19306

Doing doughnuts in the field!

Doing doughnuts in the field!

19162

Ian runs to see the turkeys

Ian runs to see the turkeys

Ian secretly masterminding an escape plan for the piglets, which was carried out that very night

Ian secretly masterminding an escape plan for the piglets, which was carried out that very night

Lost in the straw maze

Lost in the straw maze

19102

Playing in the fort

Playing in the fort

Katra, Suzie and Mamaw help Ian guard the fort

Katra, Suzie and Mamaw help Ian guard the fort

Kyle helps Bopaw fix the tractor

Kyle helps Bopaw fix the tractor

19150

Ok, Kyle. You distract Bopaw and I'll hotwire this thing.

Ok, Kyle. You distract Bopaw and I'll hotwire this thing.

Ian testing Suzie's patience

Ian testing Suzie's patience

Off to pick some apples

Off to pick some apples

This looks like fun.

This looks like fun.

Kyle picks his first apple

Kyle picks his first apple

19216

19218

Ian picks his first apple

Ian picks his first apple

One apple picked. Time for some quality control.

One apple picked. Time for some quality control.

Mamaw helps Kyle grade the apples he picked

Mamaw helps Kyle grade the apples he picked

Graded, polished, and ready to go!

Graded, polished, and ready to go!

This was apple #3, I think

This was apple #3, I think

The mischief-makers exploring the barn

The mischief-makers exploring the barn

Time for a hayride!

Time for a hayride!

Dogs. The most hilarious thing ever.

Dogs. The most hilarious thing ever.

Chase enjoying the ride

Chase enjoying the ride

19295

I believe it's about time for a silly face.

I believe it's about time for a silly face.

19303

19313

Just enough time left for a quick wagon ride.

Just enough time left for a quick wagon ride.