Nice Holiday Booty

One of the best parts about the Christmas is presents! Don't argue with me, you know you like to get presents. I'm not saying it is in any way more important than the true meaning of Christmas, its just a really nice bonus during a time that is already super rad. As I'm gearing up to start a new job, some of my presents might include new work rags like the above. Do you approve of how those pants hug my buns?I don't approve of how this vest makes it look like I have breasts. It doesn't leave much to the imagination, that is for sure.You probably can't tell from this picture, but this shirt reminds me of chocolate and mint. It made me want to eat myself.Another great part about Christmas if family. This year, Judes, Lynster and Jeff are coming to our house! I like to pretend that they would spend Christmas with us if we weren't having a baby, but I know I'd be fooling myself. Judes is the only one here so far, so we are taking her places. We went to Xoco and had ourselves food that is righteous for the soul. While waiting in line, I caught a glimpse of these empanadas. They look rad.

There's my girls. So precious with guacamole and chips.

I got the crispy pork vermicelli soup. It was without a question radical. Pork is one of the best meats ever created by man.

Judes go the short rib sandwich that comes in a delicious tomatoy broth of happiness galore. She relished in its amazingness.

Caitlin got the vegetarian soup (which I have had before) and felt joy in her heart to know that it would soon be nourishing Baby Max.

And of course, creamy homemade hot chocolate. It warmed my cold, cold heart.

New camera photo added here.

Caitlin successfully hides the belly in Heather's coat that she borrowed for the night. At that point, I got excited about using my camera for photo opps.

We stumbled upon the German Christmas fair at Daley Plaza. I found some mummy and ghost ornaments for our tree. I was denied the ability to purchasing them for the perfectly festive Halloween themed tree.

Little Satan heads too!

Then there were many figurines to enjoy as well.

Kitties, piggies and doggies. So presh.

And some wine drinkin', pipe smokin' Santas that only the Germans could conjure up in their sick heads.

I like this creepy photo of this woman's floating head through the ornaments.

Chicago's Christmas tree, like NY's, always disappoints me. There are no ornaments or anything special on them...just some lights. Yes, the tree is huge and tall. But really? That's the best you can do to give me some holiday cheer? Step it up. At least these girls make the tree look awesome.

No, that's not the temple. It is the religious looking top of a normal office building. I thought it looked nice next to the star.

We searched some more, but came out empty handed. Those ornaments (like all things hand made), were ridiculously expensive! Stay tuned as we have more amazing adventures. I can't believe Caitlin is still walking around 6 hours a day, running errands, and workin' it like she isn't carrying around a full-term baby up in her gut. Amazing.

Then I'll Steal Your Coats

Thursday, December 17th, 2009, was one of the suckiest but also awesome days of our lives. The reason is that DWo and LWo officially moved to Minneapolis. If you have followed this blog at all, you have seen the Wo's appear frequently in our posts. The reasons they appear so often include:
1) They were both in my program and so they were stuck being around me anyway
2) They are inventive, fun and game for any adventure that Caitlin and I desire to embark upon AND they come up with adventures for us to participate in as well
3) They like food...and we like food
4) They are our super friendsThey packed up their Accord with a new rack (nice rack Don) and bag. This car was packed to the freakin' brim.Don is anal about his car getting scratched, so he came up with this protective grate so that the bag wouldn't hand down and touch the paint job. Inventiveness to the core.See, the car was packed to the brim. Caitlin and I followed them up to the outlet malls on their way up to Minneapolis so we could unite at our favorite restaurant for bonding - Culvers (don't judge us for being fatties). Ahh. Culvers. You do us right every time we visit the outlets or Lake Geneva.The final goodbye picture. It was a tender moment where Liz cried and my fingernails got blown off in the men's bathroom by the hand dryer. We wish them the freakin' best in Minny and I'm sure you'll see them again soon enough on this blog as we reunite at Ho Chunky Casino in The Dells, WI.

I Hate You Don and Liz Wortley!!! I want to eat you and then steal your coats!

Old People Can Graduate Too

This is my graduation post. But I need to clarify something. You might think during this post, "wow - Jeff's photos have really gone up a notch on this post. Did he borrow someone's camera?" The answer is no, I did not. Caitlin and I bought a Nikon D90 camera and these are some of the first photos taken with it. I have not read the manual yet (of which I am ashamed), but we will learn and get better and better. We started everything off by cleaning the whole house and preparing it with Christmas cheer for my parents to arrive. We have a REAL Christmas tree this year because we'll be spending Christmas in our apartment! The parents did indeed arrive, and look how psyched they were! Actually, that response was in reference to the 4,000 pictures I started taking of them. Why do people not embrace the camera?
My dad was instantly given a project to work on - we like him to feel valued. Caitlin and I wanted to put up a chandelier in our entryway, so Big D got busy trying to figure out how he could make it work without altering anything since we rent.

Now Caitlin doesn't really love this picture, but there is a reason we have to post it. See Big D in the background working? Well, at this exact moment while I was taking this picture, Big D got electrocuted! He suddenly screamed and reached to grab the chandelier before it hit the ground. Fortunately it bounced of his face, leaving its mark.

To reward him for his sacrifice, we allowed Big D to pull from the advent calendar in place of Caitlin. It was a reward he gladly received.

Then it was graduation time! I was asked by my fellow students to be the student speaker at our graduation. I wanted to integrate the students' thoughts into my speech, so emailed them in advance and asked them to recommend words they wanted me to integrate into my speech. I received about 40 words or phrases, but randomly selected: Man Uggs, Smexy, I'll Tweet That, Pickle and Liripoop. I successfully integrated those words in with much cheering and laughter. It was also streamed online live, with comments that included, "I felt like I was watching my brother in General Conference."

As proof, here is me getting my diploma. I really did graduate, I promise.

In addition to graduating - there were awards! I had no idea there would be awards! My boy Ed - one of my favorite professors - hooked me up with a phat award. I believe it was some sort of awesomeness award. I can't confirm that.

My woman was there to support me, along with my boy Max. He was nice enough to not come out on graduation day so I could give my speech. Good boy.

I was smart enough to wear my super awesome Northwestern kicks to graduation. They have purple laces, its how I show my love.

Later, Ed, me and Pamsky kicked it in the lobby. Pamsky was nice enough to wear purple so we could all match.

DWo was PSYCHED to graduate. His sister (right behind him) was not as psyched, but I think she was keeping it inside. Maybe my speech was too boring.

Pamsky - truly radiating with pride for her son.

Patrick and dad celebration explosion.

Ally and Caitlin bond. If you look hard, you can see Max trying to reach up and swat at the flowers.

Alex lookin' swanky.

The Mulcocks and the Wortley's - an unstoppable team of awesomeness. We will miss them at a level that is not safe or recommended, but they must leave us to go to Minneapolis.

The precious family. It really was a super time.

Pamsky thought it was wrong that I didn't have any Northwestern paraphernalia to wear, so she required that we go look at sweaters. When Pamsky looks at school sweaters, she does so with a critical eye. Look at that critical eye she is using in this photo.

Caitlin, less critical in her eyes.

Me - sexy smooth in a Northwestern sweater.

I just really like this picture - Pamsky and Caitlin walking off in the cold Chicago winter.

Back at the pad, Big D puts the final touches on our chandelier. You can tell that I did a whole lot on this project. I did got to Home Depot for like 2 hours, so I consider that a massive sacrifice.

Ta DA!

Big D finally takes a well-deserved rest from his labors.

This is wear the new camera really shines - look at this amazing picture of Pamsky. Rock on.

After a long, hard weekend of having fun, eating out, shopping, graduation, being smart, etc...Caitlin's poor ankles were all swollen up like a crazy balloon. She is quite the trooper. Thanks parents for coming out and celebrating with us!