The Chicago Elser Family Photo Album

Monday, October 05, 2009

Piano lessons

Annemarie has started piano lessons. We got a great deal on a nice piano from a couple moving to NC. Here are some photos of Annemarie showing Charlie the ropes.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Charlie's first Cubs game

Awesome day today. Julia and I took Charlie down to Wrigley Field for his first game. First inning, the Cubs scored 6 runs, and the game was over. He got to sing the 7th inning stretch and the "go cubs go" song when they win - which was12-0!!

Just got to our seats!

Singing the 7th inning stretch

Hangin' with our friend Matt

Singing the song when the Cubs win

Monday, July 27, 2009

Dragon Boat Racing in Chinatown

McDonald's put together a Dragon Boat racing team on Saturday the 2009 Dragon Boat Race for Literacy. Saw they were looking for people and thought, "Why not?" Cool experience

I'm three seats behind Ronald. He had a hard time getting in with those shoes...

End of an earlier race

Fun at Ping Tom Park

One of my rowing mates...seriously

Getting ready for the Dragon Boat races in Chinatown

Saturday, July 25, 2009

A nine-year-old's day in the city

Annemarie's birthday trip downtown. Gotta stop at the bean

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Yes, that's Charlie on the ground, as usual

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For some reason, we never looked up inside the bean

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Some, um, interesting art for chinese culture week

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The Dino says "made in China" on it. I hope that's lead-free paint...

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The whole store sang Happy Birthday at the Hershey factory

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Yummy dessert

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Of course, a trip downtown wouldn't be complete without a trip to the American Girl store. Ruthie had her ears pierced. I offered to do it with my drill, but the look of terror on Annemarie's face said enough...

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A concert at the Pritzker Pavilion

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Watching the concert

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Pritzker Pavilion

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I love Chicago at night

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New addition to the Art Institute

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Bike riding and geocaching

And we're off for a morning of geocaching and bike riding. Charlie just figured it out last week, and we went almost 5 miles today!

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Started at Mar-Duke farms, a park district public garden in Downers Grove

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#1 was hidden under the drinking fountain, but unfortunately it was missing.

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#2 was tricky! Had to reread the description. We almost took the "cache" home with us...

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On the way to #3

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Found it!!

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And with most caches around here, we end up at the park...

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Saturday, October 18, 2008

AME and I competed in our first Karate Tournament last weekend. AME competed in two events: Kata, Kihon. She got a 3rd place in Kata!! Great Job! She worked very hard.

Later in the day I got to compete in Kata, Kihon, and Kumite. It was a great experience and we are ready to train for the next tournament in February - but first we have to get ready for our belt testing in November.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Yeah, yeah... it's been awhile. Will try to do better now that summer is over. Here are some catch-up photos

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A rare moment

I think he got confused...

Soccer star

First day of school

Kindergartner!!

By the Campfire

Charlie's first bass