Already playing catch-up or is it ketchup or is it catsup...?

Work has been pretty crazy lately so haven't had much time to devote here. But let's get caught up today!

Last Thursday, Will (my partner-in-crime) and I went for dinner at our friends Janneke and Jeff who live in Riverside, Illinois. It takes ~30-45 minutes to get to Riverside which is southwest of downtown Chicago but it is a beautiful suburb. We had an absolutely wonderful time. They have a great home, a modified Chicago bungalow in a pleasant neighborhood. While William and Janneke were busy visiting and getting dinner ready (lamb and veggies), Jeff and I played some Xbox 360 on their massive television. Wow, I learned very quickly on how behind-the-times I am in the gaming world. My poor little Nintendo GameCube just can't compete...oh well, I don't really have the time to devote to serious gaming anyway! What a great night!

On Saturday, my company Midwest BioResearch, had an outside social. We were originally going to Ravinia to hear the Gypsy Kings but we got rained out. Instead we went over to a co-workers home in Northbrook, Illinois and partied it up there. It was good to finally introduce Will to all of my co-workers...they loved him, of course! After enjoying a lot of wine and a few shots of Jack Daniels and even some Jose' (yes, I know...) it was time to come home... Will drove as I was not in any condition to be driving (woohoo, he has his liscence, finally!)

Sunday was a nice laid back day... church, laundry, and naptime! In the evening, my friends Nate and Stephen came over for some baby-gaming. I call it that now after seeing/playing on the Xbox on Thursday. We played some Tetris, Pac-man vs., and Mario Kart Double Dash all while eating lot's of bad snacks...it was great!

Tuesday evening we finally got to celebrate Nate's birthday (July 31st) by going out to eat at Indie Cafe. It was a great group of peeps: Will, Nate, Stephen, Julie, Ivan, and myself. We had an absolutely wonderful time...the best dinner I've had in quite some time, both food and company! Ivan left yesterday to join his woman, gal-pal Carla, who has been down-under researching God-knows-what in Australia/New Zealand for the last few months. We miss her tons and can't wait for them to return in September!

Well, I think that's it for now...whew!