Christmas 2012

It was a difficult Christmas this year because my siblings were not in town and we were not able to spend Christmas Eve at my grandparents' house like we have almost every year since I was in first grade. Fortunately, the following weekend my siblings came to Naperville and we were able to celebrate the holidays together. I'm so blessed to have such an amazing family!  Here are some pictures from our time together:  Christmas Pictures       

Open House Chicago

This weekend I participated in Open House Chicago, which is a free event hosted by the Chicago Architecture Foundation.  The event offers behind-the-scenes access to over 150 buildings across Chicago.  I visited the Civic Opera House, Driehaus Museum, Harry Caray's, 333 W. Wacker, House of Blues, Kemper Building, McCormick Bridgehouse, Tribune Tower, Seventeenth Church of Christ, and Lake Point Tower.
Open House Chicago Pictures

San Francisco

My sister and her family moved out to San Francisco in June, so we all went out there to visit them.  We explored the Presidio, Walt Disney Family Museum, Fisherman's Wharf, Muir Woods, and Golden Gate Park.  The cable car ride and the trips to Bi-Rite Creamery were the highlights of our trip.  Here are a few pictures from our time in San Francisco:  Day 1,  Day 2,  Day 3,
Day 4,  Day 5

Millennium Park Tour

Today I went on a Chicago Architecture Foundation tour of Millennium Park with my parents and my uncle.  We learned how top architects, artists, and engineers collaborated to transform an ugly railway and parking lot into an amazing park that has become the envy of other cities.  Because the park sits on top a parking garage and a commuter rail station, it is considered the world's largest rooftop garden.  Highlights include the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Cloud Gate (the bean), Crown Fountain, and the Lurie Garden.  Millennium Park is connected by the BP Pedestrian Bridge and the Nichols Bridgeway to other parts of Grant Park.  
Millennium Park Pictures

White Sox Game

Today we took my grandma to watch her favorite team in action.  Even though the White Sox lost, we had fun after the game strolling around the bases.   

Sox Game Pictures

Chicago Segway Tour

Today I learned how to drive a Segway!  I went on a Chicago Segway Tour along the lakefront with my friend/neighbor Ashleigh.  Before going on the tour, we had a 30 minute lesson on how to operate the self balancing Segway.  The cost to replace a Segway is about $6,000, so they warned us not to drive the Segway into the lake.  Segways have a maximum speed of about 12 mph (roughly equivalent to a 5-minute mile).  The tour started at Navy Pier, traveled down to Soldier Field, and looped back up to where we began.  
Segway Pictures  

Chicago Air and Water Show

It was a perfect day for the Chicago Air and Water Show!  The air show is a free event that attracts over 2 million people. The show was first held in 1959 under the name "Lakeshore Park Air and Water Show" on a budge of $88.  
Air Show Pictures      

Oregon

Last week I was in the Portland area for work, and I extended my trip so that I could explore the area during the weekend.  Highlights include the Tillamook County Cheese Factory, driving along the rugged coast, dinner at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, the Columbia River Gorge, and Multnomah Falls.  Here are some of my pictures from the trip:  Oregon

Buckingham Fountain

It was a beautiful night for a Buckingham Fountain water show!  Buckingham Fountain is a Chicago landmark and one of the largest fountains in the world.  The fountain itself represents Lake Michigan, with each sea horse symbolizing the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana, that border the lake.  Here are some pictures from the water and light show:   Buckingham Fountain

Brookfield Zoo

Today we took Abby to the Brookfield Zoo. Her favorite part was the merry-go-round!

Brookfield Zoo Pictures

Chicago Flowers

I spent the morning walking around downtown Chicago taking pictures of the beautiful flowers that have popped up early because of the unseasonably warm weather.  Here's a link for some of my pictures:  Flowers  

40th Wedding Anniversary

Today we celebrated my parents' 40th Wedding Anniversary with a vow renewal service and a luncheon.  My grandma even made an appearance in the dress that she wore to my parents wedding back in 1972 - she still looks fabulous! 

Wedding and Anniversary Pictures

Video Slideshow  

Iowa City Trip

This weekend I held my niece Kate for the first time!  In addition to snuggling with Kate, I also spent some quality time with my other niece Abby who is overflowing with energy and curiosity.  The weekend was full of trips to the park, reading stories, popping bubbles, and building forts.  Big sister Abby really loves her little sister and is very gentle with with Kate. Abby is happy to help out with the new baby in whatever way she can.  Here are some pictures from the weekend:  Iowa City  

Kathryn Annalise Meier

Kathryn Annalise Meier made her grand entrance into this world on February 25th at 9:37 am.  She weighed 6 lbs 20 oz and was 20 inches long.  Abby was excited to become a big sister!  I'm planning on traveling out to Iowa City in March to meet my new niece.  For now, here are some pictures from Kate's first couple days:  Kate      

Celebrating My Grandpa’s Life

Today we celebrated the life of my grandpa, Helmut Kabbe (September 24, 1921 - January 12, 2012). It has only been about 6 weeks since my grandma died. Losing both grandparents in such a short time period has been extremely difficult for my family, but now my grandparents are together again in a much better place.

My grandpa moved from Germany to Illinois when he was two years old, and he grew up on a farm in River Grove. He was a soldier in World War II and fought at the Battle of the Bulge (7th Armored Division). My grandpa was wounded and captured by the Germans on Christmas Day, 1944. He escaped from the German prison before the Russians took over the camp. When he returned to Illinois, he married my grandma and they had three kids. My grandparents were successful entrepreneurs. They created an excavating business, built houses, and managed many properties. My grandpa was a hard worker and led an adventurous life. He flew planes and traveled the world with my grandma. My grandpa always kept us laughing with his great sense of humor.

My grandpa was a man of few words; so in keeping with his character, we put together 26 words that represent his spirit and his character: ABC's of Hal

The following audio tracks are from my grandpa's memorial service. My brother and his friend Becky sang a beautiful song called “Arms of My Father” (track #2 below).

My grandparents were married for 65 years. We deeply miss them, but we are thankful that they are together again in heaven.