Chicago visit

Here are more pictures from Chicago. This house really represents what Christmas is all about! :-) I can't even fit all the pictures I have from Karen's, Jim's and Frank's house. There are 37 Christmas trees, tons of beautiful decorations everywhere, and this unique and amazing Christmas village (on pictures in my previous posting).

I had such a great time spending my visit with Aunt Karen, Uncle Jim, and Frank. The presence of Katy is everywhere. She has a Christmas three is her room, all in aqua colors; her clothes are still where she left them before going to the hospital; and we always included her in our conversation--especially by the kitchen table. It felt so right and at the same time, wonderful. There is so much love in this house--it just makes me happy to see them being so supportive to each other.

All three of them made sure that every second of my visit I was entertained. I was Frank's date during that weekend, and we both loved it. We all went to a casino one night, and as much as I was tempted to play poker, Uncle Jim said that it takes hours to get a chair by the table. But I did look into that room and saw whole bunch of shady characters... :-) Instead, we played slot machines and had tons of fun. All four of us did win some money, but then we lost again. It always works like that, right?

One night Aunt Karen's friends, Debbie and Caren, came over and we had a make-over party. Or, more like a lesson about skin care, facials, and make-up applications. I was the teacher; they were my students. Even Frank was attending the class. Oh... my... God, it was soooo much fun! We all laughed so hard. It just turned out to a lot of jokes, crazy pictures (I am NOT allowed to show them to anyone!), and the best party ever--all in one large bathroom.

The next day Aunt Karen and I went shopping. She took me to this outlet mall that knocked my socks off after seeing all my favorite brands there. Well, Aunt Karen's plan for this weekend was to spoil me a bit. Ok, "a bit" is underestimation here. She really made my day by taking me to this cosmetic store that had all the Bobbi Brown and Mac, and others, make-up! Wow! I felt like a kid in a candy store! We left with two big shopping bags filled with the most beautiful stuff! Yeaah! :-) We kept shopping that day, at Ulta, Kate Spade, Coach, and some shoes stores. Aunt Karen refreshed her wardrobe and accessories with some new items, and got me some wonderful presents too. Oh, she is just way too generous! Thank you, my sweetest Aunt Karen! (she will just not take a "no" for an answer!)

I also had my special time with Uncle Jim too. I did spend many hours in his car, and no, it doesn't smell bad of cigarettes. We made new jokes, our new special codes of talking, and all the time we were together, we really had a blast! Especially with the new road navigator! But that's a secret, so I am not saying anything! ha!ha!ha! One night we decided to use this new nut glazer, which he got from Santa for Christmas, and we started to make some home made glazed nuts. We've made almonds and pecans with cinnamon and sugar glaze. It was soooo much FUN! Oh, wow! And the dish turned out to be delicious. None of us could wait until the nuts cooled down, nope--they were gone way before that. The smart Santa knew what gift to get for Jim. :-)

Another day we went to this cemetery to meet with the other part of the family: Barb and her relatives. Barb's husband Joe died three years ago, and they've been all meeting at his grave every year, having a "Joe's Fest". There was tons of food, drinks, and... people. I was so fixed on these tiny, but delicious brownies that I wasn't exactly paying attention to who is who. Frank was sharing my interest in cookies and cakes. And he tried to keep me warm too. Such a gentleman. I was just not prepared to be freezing so much. Oh, I was dying! Plus having a bad cold didn't help much. But it was so interesting to meet Barb, her brother Bob, and her daughter Karen. It was so nice.

Later that day Aunt Karen, Frank, and I, went to see Katy's place of rest. Her grave is in a nice and quiet surroundings, and although she is still waiting for her "furniture" to arrive, she does have a beautiful Christmas decoration of tree branches and flowers at her grave. It was sad but also nice to bee there. That was my second time visiting her, but this time in a different place. We miss her so much and will always love her. By standing there, Frank and Karen, realize that Katy will always be with them--in their hearts and thoughts. It was a very emotional moment for us, but we left the cemetery with happiness in our hearts because we knew that she is well taken care of now and in a good neighbourhood.

On Monday was Frank's birthday, but since I was leaving early Monday morning, we went out to a dinner Sunday evening. We went to a Red Lobster and ate SOOO MUCH! I had a whole lobster for my self, and after a viscious battle, I won. There were only shells left after poor lobster lost in the match. For dessert me and Frank shared the gigantic brownies with ice cream. I think I earned some respect in Uncle Jim's eyes after he saw how much I can eat! :-) We had so much fun at the restaurant and stayed until our plates were totally empty! Then we went home and started taking pictures. I don't know what was in my lobster, but I gaines so much energy that I ran evereone around the house, giving them commands. Can you imagine all of us jumping on Jim's and Karen's bed, taking a water-less bath in their jacuzzi, wearing crazy hats, and laughing so much that our already full bellies hurt.

It was sad for me to leave, and even though I missed home, Rob and the zoo, I wish I could stay little bit longer. Especially because the day after I left, Katy's sister died. Aunt Karen called me the next day and told me the sad news. I just wish I was there to keep them company in this hard moment. It has been only six weeks ago that Katy passed away, and now her sister followed her. I can't even imagine what this family is going through. I am so sorry...

There is more pictures I will be posting. But since blogger is not alloing me to post more than around 8 photos, I will be doing it day by day. So please, check the pictures in below and above postings.