Hannah and Danny's Engagement Party!

We hosted a small engagement party for Hannah and Danny last night, and it was just so much fun! They are a perfect match, they have so much fun together, and their love just shines through, doesn't it?

Just before we cut the amazing cake, which I had made especially for Danny and his love of golf. Cake created at Kirsten's Danish Bakery in Burr Ridge, IL. 

It was delicious, too!  Yellow cake with chocolate mousse filling, and buttercream icing. Yummy!

Our special guests were my brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Jean, from Burke, VA, who just happened to be travelling through town the same weekend as the party!

Scott and I with Hannah.  Love her new dress! 

Group shot (and my finger, too, I guess - oops!), featuring Hannah's friend, Katie, our daughter, Genevieve, her bf Dave, Emily's husband, Matt, and our daughter, Emily. It seems that Dave and Matt became best friends last night after sitting together!

Nice smiles from Emily and Matt!  You can see  everyone having a good time, which I love.  We decorated with sunflowers, Hannah's favorite.

My wonderful husband, Scott - the party happened to be on our 39th wedding anniversary!

The guests of honor! Their wedding in May of 2018 will be here before you know it!

Jazzin' at the Shedd!

Tradition! We all attended Jazzin' at the Shedd (Aquarium), one of Chicago's many great museums. We've all attended in prior years, and I think this may become a yearly tradition.  Another new tradition - the selfie!
Genevieve, me, Hannah; Scott, Nick, Danny.

Hannah and Scott watching the Beluga whales.  See the water just beyond the ledge they are leaning on? The whales cruise right by - I even got sprayed!

Genevieve and Nick having fun.

So - why is it called "Jazzin' at the Shedd"?  The event occurs after hours - from 5-10 p.m. on a Wednesday evening, there is food and drink for purchase, and there is live jazz music being performed at two different locations in the museum.  A great way to have a museum  night!

Cheers! Nick, Genevieve, Hannah, Danny.

Besides the large whale, and dolphin, exhibition areas, and the MANY individual fish displays, there is a WHOLE CORAL REEF in the center of the museum!  I had fun watching (and photographing) the fascinating fish while taking a little break.

Gorgeous!

They are so unusual, and so beautiful, they don't look real - at least to this midwesterner's eyes! And you can't really tell, but this fish was also HUGE!

I know these photos don't do it justice - suffice it to say, if you're ever in Chicago, it's worth you time to visit the Shedd Aquarium.  Besides seeing their great exhibits, the facility also has fantastic skyline views of Chicago!

The end of a great evening!

Senior Recital, Golden Friends, White Sox Game

I am so proud of my piano student, Lydia! She performed a solo Senior Recital yesterday, for her family and friends, and I couldn't be prouder of her. 

Student and proud teacher! Looks like we both got the same memo about what to wear, too, ha!

"Make new friends, and keep the old...one is silver and the other's gold!"  We had the pleasure of meeting some golden friends for dinner last night.  We hadn't seen Deb Bisek and Tim Gerber for over 25 years! 

It's a beautiful day for a ball game - Chicago White Sox vx. Minnesota Twins - well, at least, it started that way!  It was sunny and hot when we got there, but then...

...we had multiple rain interruptions, and one actual rain delay.  Despite all that, we had lots of fun with Hannah and Danny.  Yummy cheese fries!

Cheers!

Happy Day!

Lot of photos today:  we attended the wedding of a very special girl, Cara, and her guy, Lucas.  This special day was even more so, because both of our daughters and their bf's were there, too.  So fun!

Cara makes her big entrance on her dad's arm.  Wow, what a dress!  Her mom, Denise, did all of the flowers.

The vows.  Don't you love all of the rose petals?

Married!

Darling daughters, Hannah and Emily - Emily stunning in red, Hannah sparkly in silver!

Here's Scott and I - Scott looking awesome in his new suit!

Cara and Lucas - first introduction as Mr. and Mrs.!

Fun table shots - Scott and me...

Emily and Matt...

Hannah and Danny.  Sorry this is blurry, they looked so cute!

A wonderful time was had by all!

A Grand Night for Singing!

Prescription for a lovely evening!



Start with great company - daughter Hannah, above, in the gorgeous Millenium Park gardens, with the amazing Pritzker Pavillion, designed by Frank Gehry, in the background.   No hint that that we were about to be rained on for about 10 minutes! No matter...



After our brief shower, we were damp, but our spirits were high! We were about to hear the Grant Park Symphony performing Rodgers & Hammerstein favorites, aided by 3 top Broadway soloists.  Dinner was easy - carryout sandwiches, and a bottle of red (and white for me). Delicious!



It was fun to share the evening with Hannah and her boyfriend, Danny.  Danny doesn't have the same musical background that we do, but he is an eager and willing participant.  We had a wonderful evening!