Although I went to Akron for a long weekend in May for Lisa and Skeet's baby shower, Rusty and I didn't make our annual visit until the end of July. We arrived Friday July 18th for a two week visit staying with Terri and Andy.
On Sunday, Scott (Big Cat) and Christopher (Drama) came to town to take part in the demolition of one of their old schools in Coventry - Erwine Elementary. They had the opportunity to go to the school to skate board or do whatever they wanted on Sunday, as Monday the demolition would begin.
After hanging out at the school, Terri and Andy had a surprise for the boys for dinner. They requested the Swenson's Food Truck come to the house. Swenson's is a favorite hamburger joint in Akron that the boys always visit.
Swenson's Food Truck
Christopher
Scott and Chris
The boys, as well as 30+ friends and family (including Gary and his girls) really enjoyed the surprise.
Chris on food truck
The boys took some pictures with the crew from Swenson's so they could Instagram them.
Scott and Chris
Swenson's crew and boys
Christopher took pictures of the crowd while we were taking pictures of them.
Crew and boys
Later that evening a bunch of us went to Turkeyfoot Lanes to bowl after hours, they stayed open for the boys.
Scott, Terri and Chris
Again they took pictures with the crew so they could Instagram them. A good time was had by all.
Monday morning dawned bright and early. The boys headed over to Erwine to begin the demolition.
They had an awesome time hitting the school with the first wrecking balls. Chris left later Monday, Scott stayed over to Tuesday morning having an opportunity to spend some time with his parents.
Monday at 12:12 pm Lisa and Billy (who's shower I attended in May) gave birth to Lillian (Lily) Henley Bookman. It was such a beautiful experience. Lily is my brother Bill's first granddaughter, he would have been so excited and proud.
Lisa, Lily and Skeet
Skeet, Lily and Great Aunt Sheryl
I got to visit with Lisa and Lily several times during the Akron visit.
Daddy loves Lily
Monday evening we had our annual Margarita Madness party at Don Pancho's with our friends. We had a great turnout and a good time was had by all. We love this opportunity to see all our friends at one time. Most of our time in Akron is taken up with family visits so every opportunity to see our friends is appreciated. We have fantastic friends.
During the week we had dinner with Rusty's niece Mary and her boyfriend Chad as well as had the opportunity to see his brother Randy several times. Unfortunately we didn't get to spend any time with Heidi and her family during this visit - hopefully we will see them next year. We had two nieces graduate this year, Katlyne and Brittany - we weren't in town for either graduation or party. Congratulations to both of you, may your futures be bright.
During the week, we also had the opportunity to spend some time with Erin and the kids. We went to the park one day for a picnic and play date. We had a ton of fun but they are very spirited and wore us out.
Rusty and the boys
Erin and her princess
Friday the 25th, the Firestone girls had their annual pontoon afternoon on Portage Lakes. This is the first opportunity I have had to join them as I am not normally in town when it takes place. We had a blast. The normal boat driver had to cancel at the last minute due to work obligations so after a miss-start, we called Rusty and he met up with us at Howie's and drove the boat for us. We did a little bar hopping on the lake.
The gang at Howie's
The gang @ Nicoletti's
The weather was beautiful and we had a great day. I have known these girls for over 35 years and even though we moved to Nashville 22 years ago, they remain close friends.
Saturday the 26th was the big birthday celebration for the Bookman Trio. Parker turned 4 while Gary and Emma turned 3. It was quite a birthday party in Portage Lakes State Park. Even though it rained off and on, the kids had a blast.
Opening presents
Blowing out candles
Gary and Emma (3)
Parker's (4) favorite gift
This year was the first year we have had an opportunity to see Rusty's cousin Rick. Got to spend Sunday with him at Hardesty Park and then we went to lunch. During the week there were more family visits with both my family and Rusty's. Had dinner with my brothers a couple of times as well as getting to spend time with Debi and her family. Mason is growing up very fast, he is another cutie in my family.
Mason (2)
Tuesday the 29th we went to Prime 93 (Anthe's) for a 42 year reunion of The Caballeros. This is a band that Andy was in back in high school. There was a huge turnout for the event - it was a Coventry Alumni Reunion. The band sounded pretty good having only had a few rehearsals with the whole band before the performance. We had a good evening.
The Caballeros (Andy is on drums on left)
The crowd was dancing, partying and having a real good time.
The second week was spent with family as well as another dinner with some other friends, again at Don Pancho's - a favorite place of ours in Akron.
Retirees
Retirees
Friday before we headed home on Saturday, we spent another day with Erin and the kids. This time we went to the Akron Zoo. This zoo has grown and gotten really good over the years. Erin and the kids spend a lot of time here.
Excited for the Zoo
Selfie
Carousel
Carousel
Explorers
Friday evening we had a quiet evening with Terri and Andy, going to dinner at Green Diamond in Barberton. This trip was probably one of our busiest visits. It was so good to see all the family and friends we were able to fit in, wish we could have done more. A couple years ago, we had no little ones in my family and now we have 5 under the age of 4. They are all beautiful and we miss seeing them more often. Love to all the family until we see you again.
The weekend of June 27th thru 30th we spent in Chicago with Rusty's sister and brother-in-law, Terri and Andy Pfaff, as well as his cousins Patty and Gene Dyrdek. This was the first opportunity we have had to see the Street League event live. We arrived in Chicago around NOON on Saturday. After we got checked in to The Godfrey, we contacted Patty and Gene and met them for lunch. We ate on the fourth floor patio restaurant of the hotel. The weather was beautiful.
From The Godfrey we took a shuttle to Millennium Park.
Gene, Rusty and Patty @ Amphitheater
Chicago Skyline @ Amphitheater
Amphitheater
We wandered around exploring the park. A few people recognized Patty and Gene and got their picture taken with them, it was pretty amusing to watch this happen. Millennium Park is really amazing. We enjoyed people watching as well as music as we wandered the Park.
Chicago Skyline from Park
The jelly bean had to be a personal favorite. We walked under it just like everyone else and took our picture in the reflection.
Reflection of Chicago Skyline in the jelly bean.
They have many reflecting pools within the park and we walked around to see them all.
Patty and Rusty
Me and Rusty
The big wading pool was awesome. It was packed with people enjoying the water.
Watching the fountains at each end of the park was pretty cool.
Fountain
Fountain
The art work throughout the Park was very interesting. Not sure what this is called.
Instead of getting a taxi, we opted to walk back to our hotel, we weren't sure how far it was but it was a great walk thru downtown along the Magnificent Mile. We did run into a little rain here and there but waited it out and kept walking. Here is some of the skyline from along the river, you can see the Chicago Tribune building.
River downtown
Skyline from river - Chicago Tribune
Here is an old church we saw along our walk.
After we arrived back at The Godfrey, the rest of the Dyrdek's arrived at the hotel - got a family photo op.
Dyrdek's
Dyrdek's
Took a quick trip via shuttle over to the UIC Pavilion where the Street League events were going to take place the next day. Picked up our credentials and just checked out the arena.
Rob's assistant Ethan, and brother-in-law Jason
While getting ready for dinner Saturday, we watched a storm moving in from our 16th floor corner room.
Downtown Chicago
Storm moving in
We went to Chicago Cut Steakhouse to celebrate Rob's 40th birthday. Rob said a few words at his dinner. The food was delicious.
Rob
When we go back from dinner we just enjoyed the view from our room.
Sunday, we headed to the UIC Pavilion early to check out the booths, etc. before the doors officially opened.
Because we were with family, we got the opportunity to have primo seats on the floor.
Gene, Mason and Rob
Patty, Gene, Mason and Rob
We really enjoyed this opportunity to spend time with Rusty's family and see the Street League event live. Watching the event live versus on TV was an amazing difference. We really enjoyed watching the pros skate. After we got back from the Street League event, we ordered one of Giordano's Famous Chicago Pizzas. They delivered it to the hotel and the staff set us up in a private room in the IO Urban Roofscape Bar and Lounge on the fourth floor.
Monday morning we got to have breakfast with Terri, Andy and Scott. Thanks to the Pfaff's and Dyrdek's for making this weekend possible.
