Skittle Fondue

Mike Niemi and his family joined us for a night of fondue. We had chocolate fondue along with cheese and broth for meat. When Alexis was speaking to Mike at Awana, he joked that she should dip her Skittles in chocolate fondue.

Alexis said, “That’s like an inside out M&M.”

Christmas in Ohio

We went to Ohio for Christmas this year. Christmas Eve was spent with the Ford family at my Dad’s house. Then we spent the remainder of the time with my mom. Scott & Christine stayed in Texas for Christmas. For fun we saw Rise of the Guardians at the Medina movie theater during a snow storm.

Date with Alexis at Barnes and Nobles

We went to Barnes & Noble in Crystal Lake for my date with Alexis. She drank a nice warm steamer from the coffee shop. We spent time reading books and making conversation over different things we saw on the shelves. A sales lady gave us a tour of the Nook and had Alexis download/play a game in the store. Great time with warm smiles.

Date with Rachel at Chick-fill-A

We went to Chick-fill-A in Crystal Lake for my date with Rachel. This restaurant has a children’s play area which made it even more fun. She got the kid’s meal which came with a book, “Franklin Says I Love You.” I had to pry her away from the book to get her into the play area and then pry her away from the play area to go home for the day. We had lots of fun and good conversation at the table.

Lincoln Park Zoo Christmas Lights

Heather and I went to see the Christmas Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo. Chuck and Carolyn Downs gave us this date as a gift – they watched the twins and gave me some spending money. Now that’s a Date! It was a wonderful night from start to finish – Buca di Beppo for dinner, the Zoo, and then a drive down Michigan Ave’s Magnificent Mile. Heather is the perfect wife and we had a great time.

At the zoo, we were greeted by a photographer under a canopy of trickling icicle lights. An ice carver was busy finishing a tiger, caribou, and bison. We wandered through arches of lights, danced in time with the lights and music, and sang loudly off key.

Crystal Lake Turkey Trot 5K

Heather and I joined approximately 1200 other people for the annual Turkey Trot at Lippold Park, sponsored by the Hillstriders Running Club and The Running Depot. We took our cans of chicken noodle soup and registered.

This was Heather’s first race experience and she writes, “I looked up and saw the purple martin bird house on the course. I realized that I suddenly was half way through the race and I was still running. I didn’t dare stop for fear of being trampled by those behind me. Eventually, I did take a breather but finished at 35:40.”

Heather and I ran together for the first half mile. My time was 26:30.