Hodge Podge

I have not been a very good blogger lately. Life just gets in the way. So...I'm kinda wrapping everything over the last couple of months into one post....

We travelled to Kansas City in November to see Bruce Springsteen. He was on Nathan's bucket list to see live. Apparently, The Boss was the first cassette tape that Nathan ever purchased.

We had a great weekend. We met my sorority sister Julie and her husband for lunch and then spent the afternoon shopping in The Plaza. The concert was awesome! Bruce played for a solid three hours and was very interactive with the crowd. We didn't recognize over half the songs but he put on a great show. He talked a lot with the crowd and just seemed genuinely glad to be there. It was obvious he truly loves what he's doing. 

We celebrated Thanksgiving at Nathan's parent's house. We had good food and it was nice to spend some time with the family. We celebrated my birthday in Iowa City....dancing with all those crazy college kids :) Everyone had a great time!

A few weeks ago, Mom and I went to Chicago to do some Christmas shopping. We stayed at The Drake. We had good weather. We spent time on Michigan Avenue shopping and were able to meet up with another sorority sister Duce and her husband for lunch. 

The lions in front of the Chicago Art Institute are all decked out for Christmas. 

We went to the Chicago Symphony- we sat in the Tier seats which were behind the orchestra. It was a really cool vantage point because we could watch the conductor and all his facial expressions. I had never been to a symphony concert before.....I'd highly recommend it!

Nathan has been getting into the Christmas spirit. He's been working feverishly on the outside lights. Last year he bought the supplies to recreate our PVC candy cane from Texas. He finally got it built and decorated this year. Nathan would easily be Clark Griswold if I didn't reel him in just a tad.....

We have a Giving Tree at work benefitting one of the local shelter/foster groups in the area. One client brought in this nice cat bed and placed it under the tree.....Mimi (our clinic cat) decided she really liked it and has claimed it as her own. 

Last but not least....we had an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party last weekend. I haven't gotten all the pictures yet from my mom...there were some UGLY sweaters! But we had great time!

Rudolph Jason

Santa Aaron and Reindeer Jason

The Fab Four in their Ugly Sweaters....

and yours truly....we borrowed both of our sweaters from Deb...Nathan's even had shoulder pads :) it fit him like a glove! 

Today we are experiencing our first blizzard of the season....joy! I bought some sleds yesterday. The first snow of the year is always exciting...and I guess we are guaranteed a white Christmas. Looking forward to a blessed Christmas holiday!