Big Shoulders Charity & Dinner with Marc and Amanda

Craig is on the board of a charity called Big Shoulders, which helps provide a catholic education for inner city underprivileged kids from K-12. Many of these kids would not have a chance, but thanks to this cause they get a free education at catholic schools around Chicago. It's a great cause and something I'm very proud of Craig for being involved with. He did their real estate deal and donated his entire fee back to the charity. He also got all the other work and furniture, etc, donated. Everyone at the event really thanked him for his help.

We went to the VIP reception at Adler Planetarium and then went over to the main event which was to raise money for the charity. It was such a nice event for this amazing charity.

Afterwards we met Amanda and Marc for dinner at Mastro's. This is one of our favorite places to go. They have a great piano player and amazing singer so we love going there. Another great night hanging out with Amanda and Marc!

Happy 8th Anniversary!

Craig and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary on September 24th. We had dinner at a place we've been wanting to try for a while called GT Fish & Oyster. We had a nice dinner and they brought out a dessert to celebrate. They also gave us a $20 gift card for next time. It's been 8 great years of traveling and making great memories with the love of my life.

Dinner at Bob San

We don't get to go out with the Ohlander's very much since our lives are so crazy, but when we do we always have a blast! We met for dinner at Bob San and shared a lot of sushi. It was such a fun night and we can't wait to do it again soon. We have another date scheduled with them on Tuesday for a charity dinner event.

Tommy's 3rd Birthday

We celebrated Tommy's 3rd birthday with a Jack & The Neverland Pirates party with family and friends.  He is a big fan of the tv show.  The decorations were adorable.  It was a perfect day and the weather was great.  The kids had fun playing especially with the piñata.  It was fun watching them whack the heck out of it.  Tommy is such a cute, happy, caring, sweet, loving adorable little guy that I love to death!  When someone asks him what he wants to be when he grows up he says he wants to help people.  How sweet is that!  Especially for a 3 year old.  He has some pretty amazing parents.  

Tommy and his other grandparents 

Tommy & Lilly

My Mom and I went to New Jersey to visit my brother John, sis-in-law Sue and nephew Tommy.  We picked up Tommy from school and he was so funny to watch with all the teachers and kids.  They all love him!  I felt like he was the mayor of the school since he was saying hi to everyone and walking around like he owned the place.  He is so caring and sweet with everyone.  He was so excited to see us.  We went back to the house and hung out and ordered pizza.  

The next day we drove to Brooklyn to visit my cousin Mia and her new baby Lilly.  When she walked out of the house we thought she was carrying a doll because Lilly is so small.  She is the cutest thing!  We had lunch at a really cute restaurant and both kids did great.  Tommy is so well behaved and such a fun kid.  After lunch we went back to her house and opened presents.  We had lots of fun shopping for her and had to have another mini shower.  Later Alex came home from playing golf with Mia's cousin Jaime so we got to spend a little time with them as well.  It was so cute seeing Mia an Alex with Lil Lilly.  We always called her that when Mia was pregnant so now it's hard to say it without adding the Lil.  What an amazing day we had visiting Mia, Alex & Lilly!  

My handsome little nephew that lights up a room 

He calls me Ria and it's the sweetest thing to hear him say my name

In the car on our way to visit Mia, Alex & Lilly

New York skyline in the background

Lil Lilly & Mia - such a sweetheart!

Sitting outside enjoying our lunch

Mini baby shower #2

I think Lilly looks a lot like Mia did (from the pictures I've seen:)

My cousin once removed - Sue looked online to figure out how we are all related now.  Tommy & Lilly are second cousins.

Sue & Lilly 

Tommy holding his second cousin Lilly with the help of his momma

Look at that cute little face...

Great Aunt Cathy & Lilly

so teeny tiny - she's a little over 6 lbs and she is 4 weeks (she was a couple weeks early)

Daddy & Lilly - too cute!

Such a happy little family!