Belated Weekend Update

We braved the icky weather last Friday night to try out Barnaby's, a local pizza joint that's been around for 37 years....and looks it. (Actually, upon looking for a link, it seems that Barnaby's is a national chain!) (We felt a little new when we first walked in, we didn't understand the order, then sit and wait for your number and get your drinks at a different counter thing. But we got it all sorted out and enjoyed some decently tasty pizza. Saturday morning found us in Evanston, meeting Matt and Lisa for breakfast at Blind Faith Cafe. Coming from New York City they're not accustomed to having to search so hard for a place that offers vegan fare. We had a nice breakfast, catching up on their country-crossing adventures. We were mostly able to ignore the Ohio State fans that were in town for the NU v. OSU game. Sadly, though not surprisingly, Northwestern lost. Stay tuned for more Matt and Lisa stories in 2007. We made plans to follow them down to Memphis for New Year's Eve at Amber and Jeff's! That evening Dad and Kathie came into town and we all met Pete's parents and Liz and Van at Ra for a sushi birthday dinner. Then we came back here for cake and presents. Pete is admiring a gift of beer from Van in this photo.

The next morning Henry got to begin celebrating his birthday. Grandpa had made him an easel, which he brought and set up. It came complete with paper, paints and a little supply box. Henry LOVES it!! You can't tell here, but the opposite side is chalkboard.Then, later that day, we all went to the Choo Choo Diner in Des Plaines. We got there at a good time, so we were able to sit next to the counter and have our food delivered to us by train. I'm not sure who had more fun, Henry or Grandpa.They also have a little nickel train, which you can actually ride for free:
All this blogging is wearing Henry out....I'd better go get him tucked into bed.