Monthly Archives: August 2014

Chicago, IL Summer 2014

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Bobby had a manager’s training course set up in Chicago for the beginning of August, so the boys and I decided to tag along.  I gave the boys each the right to choose the one attraction that they most wanted to see. Then we choose some more that we all would enjoy.  We ended each day exhausted, but it was still a ton of fun. I’m blogging about some of our favorites places and pictures.

I gave the boys the option of driving downtown (where the majority of the attractions we wanted to see are) or getting passes to ride the train and buses. They answered right away: trains and buses!

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Waiting outside the hotel for the first bus on the first day.

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One of the few times that the boys sat in different seats while we were riding. Mostly, they were together, talking and playing.

The Field Museum. Katy’s Pick.

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IMAG1491IMAG1502The boys liked the underground exhibit the best. It pretends to shrink you down to bug size. Then takes you through a typical underground scene.

 

 

IMAG1505 IMAG1506The Egyptian Tomb exhibit was also a big hit. I couldn’t resist taking a picture when Gabe found the opening to the mummy on the floor below.

 

 

 

 

IMAG1509 IMAG1511We spent a long time looking the walls from an actual tomb wall. And Gabe loved the large assortment of mummies.

 

 

IMAG1515 IMAG1517Gabe really liked laying on the replica Egyptian bed. I had to keep telling him to get off. Max liked the shrine to the cat god Bast.

 

 

 

 

 

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The other exhibit that the boys really liked was the Evolving Planet exhibit. It was spilt up by several red lights that read “Mass Extinction”. Gabe kept running from light to light yelling “Mass Extinction!” All the dinosaur fossils were smack in the middle of this exhibit. Gabe wanted pictures in front of all of them with him pretending to be the dinosaur. Max wasn’t as into it.

 

 

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Shedd Aquarium

 

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On the crowded train on way to the Shedd Aquarium. Ready for some dolphins.

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Penguins but not a very good shot of them. I do like how the boys are colluding in front of them though.

 

 

 

 

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Beluga whale and trainer during the Ocean Show.

 

IMAG1555 IMAG1559Max REALLY wanted to pet some stingrays. We spent the longest time in one place at the Aquarium here. I couldn’t believe how playful these Stingrays were. I actually had one reserve course and come straight back to me so I would pet him again.

 

 

 

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Max liked the biggest fish the best. He ignored all the little ones and then watch the big ones for quite a while. Though I think the Spider Crab freaked him out.

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Max actually lying down on the train bench on the way back to the hotel. You know they’ve had a good time when they are exhausted at the end.

Lincoln Park Zoo– Max’s choice. And free, may I add.

 

 

 

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This was Gabe’s favorite spot. It was a small spot off the side. It had a little mist spraying and lots of wood and metal climbing spots.

 

IMAG1598 IMAG1599End of zoo pictures. Our feet were sore. We got a good view of the city from there as well.

Legoland Discovery Center: Gabe’s choice.

 

 

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Lots of fun creations. It was enjoyable but I’m kind of glad we got the after 3pm e tickets. It was small. But it was the only thing Bobby really got to do with us on this trip.

 

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The Star Wars legos were my favorites. Maybe, I’ll get the picture Bobby took of me on Darth Vader’s arm and post it too.

 

 

IMAG1611Factory tour with Bobby.

 

 

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Building stations and a whirlygig ride.

 

 

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Coolest bathroom stall doors ever!

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The last thing we did before we hit the road home, Bobby and the boys built cars and raced them time after time.

 

It was a long and expensive couple of days. But they were well spent.

Categories: General | Leave a comment

Bonessi Sauce Recipe (Pasta)

The Bonessi Family makes this fabulous sauce recipe for us every time we come to visit. It is so good you would think it’s been simmering all day but it only take about 2 hours from start to finish.

 

2 large cans of plum peeled tomatoes – use the ones from Italy

1 normal can of Del Monte diced tomatoes with basil, garlic & oregano

Parmesan cheese

½ cup white wine

Minced garlic – about 3 heaping tablespoons

1 medium onion – chopped pretty fine

1 heaping tablespoon of

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Basil

“Nature Seasonings” – this is actually a spice on the grocery shelf

Sugar

 

Take one can of the plum tomatoes and put in blender – add ½ the can of the DelMonte tomato and liquefy it.  Then place in a bowl and put the other can of plum tomato and the other ½ can of DelMonte into blender and liquefy that.

 

Add small amount of olive oil to bottom of pan.  Add the onion until it become translucent slowly and then add the minced garlic – cook for a minute or two – stirring.  Put in the Garlic power, onion powder, basil and Nature Seasonings.  Stir and this should form a pesto like substance.  Stir for a couple of minutes.  Add all the canned liquefied tomatoes.

 

Sprinkle sugar over the top of the sauce, add the wine and sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top.  Stir.  Cook this at a very hard simmer – so it really bubbles – for about 45 minutes – stirring every 10 minutes or so.  Turn it down and simmer for about another 2 hours (add sausage at this time if you want).

 

If you are adding sausage – brown in oven about 30 minutes and cook in sauce about 2 hours.  If adding meatballs (brown them with the sausage in oven), let them only cook in the sauce for about an hour or they will fall apart.

Categories: Katy's Best Recipes | Leave a comment

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