Exploring the Basque Country!

We were fortunate enough to be able to stay with Jackie while visiting Spain.  She moved into an apartment in Bilbao while we were there.  We loved having a space to make meals, including a homemade Paella recipe (from Sergio's mom).  We were appreciative to be able to invaded her and her roommates space for a few days!  While we were staying with her we explored Old Bilbao, the hanging bridge, the Guggenheim Museum and San Sebastian.  We stayed with Jackie for 4 days before traveling up to Paris.

We love our couch surfers!

July saw many visitors, most recently my dad came for a week and Nolan's nephew, Nick was here last week!

Dad arrived before Nolan got off the boat so we enjoyed quality father-daughter time.  We visited the Decatur area in Southern Illinois where he grew up.  We saw many of the Roney clan!  We took in a ball game at Wrigley Field and had lots of good conversation and laughter!  He played tourist a few days and was able to get to know our neighborhood.  We loved having him as a couch surfer!

Unfortunately, he was the one taking photos so I don't have to share.

Nick arrived last Monday and stayed til Friday.  Nolan greeted him at the gate and started the adventurous week long boarding around our neighborhood, eating classic Chicago cuisine - HOT DOGS!  Because I work and have school I was only able to play a few nights.  They were busy touring the Lincoln Park Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, and saw a White Sox game.  I was able to enjoy Navy Pier with them eating at Harry Carry's and riding the Ferris Wheel. 

Nolan and Nick flew back to Nevada together on Friday.  I get to join them in a few short days! 

Some photos of Nick's adventures! 

Mom's Visit

Mama Mia! The Newport Hostel is currently running on all cylinders for the rest of the summer!

My mom, Randi, invaded Chicago with a couple of her closest gals the first week of June. They got the hook up from a coworker to stay in some terrific modern hotel rooms at The James on Rush and Ontario!

They arrived Tuesday, departed Saturday and in between took a whirled wind tour of the city. They hit The Shed Aquarium, The Alder Planetarium, The Field Museum, Navy Pier, Pizzeria DUE, Garrett's Popcorn, Macy's on State Street (at least the bathroom), an architectural boat tour, The Tall Ship (their pirate show?), The 96th floor of the John Hancock Building, The Art Institute, Millennium Park, Blues on Halsted, and Greektown. Wow that's exhausting to write!

Here are a few pictures I got while they were here.

Outside the Field Museum, looking over the city.


Mom and me in front of Sue, the T-REX!


Big Ray at Blues on Halsted.


Donna and Evelyn at Blues with some cocktails!


Dinner at Dublin's on Rush Street. The night "Don" bought all our meals!


Walking Legs on the best day while they were in town! Look at those blue skies!


The ladies showed up on Thursday night to cook dinner. Chicken Picata, Orzo, Asparagus, and some great desserts!


Evelyn dishing out dessert, Strawberry Tirimisu Cones! Yum!

Freebies

So I like talking about freebies. They are fun and exciting and I love getting free stuff even if it's just an eraser from an old teacher! Not that that happens to me now, 'cause that would be odd!!

Well, what I like even more than free stuff is free activities! Visit Hey It's Free and they have a list of museums from each state that are free or free on certain days. Check it out!

Visitors

I can't tell you how much I love having friends and family visit. I think I may finally be in a place where people are intrigued enough to come visit! "Chicago? I've never been. I'd like to visit." Chicago is a great city with culture and life. It's one of the best places I've lived in.

This last weekend, my friend Lee came to visit. She left today for home, Reno after a 5 day trip. She was able to visit two museums, eat Chicago pizza, drink atop the John Hancock building, attend a Chicago Blackhawks hockey game, drink in Wriglyville, have a fondue dinner, watch movies and get a first hand view of Chicago in all it's freezing glory! Her first two days were had highs of 3 and 10 degrees! What a treat?! She is one of the bravest of friends, no one has made any plans to visit until June! Luckily her January visit fell on slow days with few museums tourists and when they offer free days.



So, back to our visitors! I can't believe I've had so many friends and family come to check out Chicago, when they wouldn't have otherwise come.

So keep 'em coming! Take this as my extended invitation to everyone to visit Chicago, just call and make your reservations, weekends are booking up!