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Lovin' on MN

After work last night I got to see 

Lake Calhoun for the first time

...and so continues my crush on Minneapolis :)

    

Haaaaappy Birthday, Codes!

Love you tons

Bastille Day, Baby!

In honor of  La Fête Nationale

we reveled in the awesomeness of

Chez Moi Chicago :)

(they even gave me a beret - BAH!)

My taste buds officially have a new crush

on head Chef Dominique Tougne

Not only is he a culinary genius, 

his wife and the entire staff

truly make you feel at home...

Hence the name of the restaurant ;)

Throw in the vocals and sheer

entertainment of Claudia Hommel... 

You've got yourself one helluva GREAT time!

But even when it's not Bastille Day, 

I highly recommend Chez Moi

AMOUR

Happy Birthday, B :)

31 years of bestieship later, 

you have gone from "B" 

to "Bman" to "Bren"

and now entirely 

just to "Fitz"

I'm just happy to have had the pleasure 
to know you through them all :)

HAPPY (early) BIRTHDAY, B!

Here's to hoping we don't have to wait a whole 'nother year 
to go back to 90 Miles... HO-LY YUM

      

It's all really happening!!

Official logo

Stamp for product packaging 

Koooozieeeeees

T-minus TWO WEEKS!!

Let's Bev

       

"Not So Sandlot"

Last month I had a BBQ before 

(what was supposed to be) 

the Oz Park movie showing of  The Sandlot.

{insert thunderstorm here}

But we made the most of it indoors :)

Note to self 

Maybe it's not the "best" idea to handout 
explosive-party-popping-confetti-streamers inside 
 your own apartment after drinking games have occurred. 
That, or remember to hire a friend to help clean the next day ;)

    

Over the weekend my mom put together a truly beautiful memorial service for my Great Uncle Ralph 
(my Grandma Stella's brother). 

I honestly didn't think it would be too terribly emotional 
as he lived a wonderful and long life (89 years!), 
but death has a habit of stirring up stale emotions 
that you didn't even know were hiding. 
And I'm certain that my whole family shed
several extra tears on account of my Grams 
(as it's hard to believe it's already been a year).

But it got me thinking (again) 
about how precious life really is 
and how much gratitude we owe to those 
that have paved the path before us. 

My Great Uncle Ralph served in WWII, was a prisoner of war,
 and received the badge of honor of a Purple Heart.
A real life American hero.

So it was only fitting that the memorial be 
held so close to the 4th of July holiday. 

It physically warmed my heart 
as we all sent an extra prayer 
to the brave men and women who
have fought, and continue to fight, 
for our freedom. 

You will be missed, Ralph. 

We thank you and we love you. 

  Please give my Grandma a big giant hug from me :)

       

Movies me likey

I adore off-beat films, 

but as we all know...

they can be hit-or-miss. 

So here are three that 

I think you should see!

       

"Inside the Box"

One of the Sandbox interns wrote this blog post

and I thought it was super perfect. 

Awesome job, Ted! 

   

Things that make me smile

Working in the start-up environment 
can be "slightly" stressful 
(understatement of the year) 
so I admittedly keep a "happy thoughts" folder
for my daily fix of  "don't jump!" serum ;)
 
Here are a few things I've added thus far this week:

 

   I want to meet this kid and tell her to apologize to her mom in cerca ten years once she's lived a little ;)
      

Never a dull moment...

Date: Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 12:00 PM

Subject: The Palio
From:  Stacey Hall
To: Susie Hall, Joe Hall, Jamie Hall, Stephen Hall, Kendra Cole Hall

Fam, here is a link to the real history of the Palio (this time with actual facts and not Stephen's made-up princess story ;) http://www.thesienapalio.com/ 

Also, here is the link to the conspiracy I was telling you about. When the Pazzi's met to conspire to take down the Medici's… their meeting was held in the castle that Vicky's wedding was at!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pazzi

Last, here’s a fun fact learned in Italy -- never knew...

http://tuscantraveler.com/2011/florence/italian-food-rules-no-cappuccino-after-10am/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! Love you :)

----------

Date: Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Subject: RE: The Palio
From:  Joe Hall
To: Stacey Hall, Susie Hall, Jamie Hall, Stephen Hall, Kendra Cole Hall

Stacey, I knew he made up that Princess rubbage!!! Good job… Love, Papo

----------

Stephen Hall wrote:

Although completely false, I thought it was a great story between Mom and Stacey arguing over salad…

----------

Stacey Hall wrote:

Correction: "Although completely false, I thought it was a great story between Mom and Stacey arguing over ‘the alleged $10.00’ side salad…”

----------

Stephen Hall wrote:

And…still arguing over salad.

----------

Joe Hall wrote:  

You can’t fool Stace and Mom very often...They certainly are on top of things..Especially the price of lettuce and Roman history...  

----------

Susie Hall wrote:

OMG...Are you all bored at work today????

Sent from my iPhone

----------

Stephen Hall wrote:

Everyone get back to work. Good talk.

----------

Joe Hall wrote:

Thanks, Clark
   

CONGRAAAATULATIONS...

to the new, 
Mr & Mrs LaMendola :)

What.a.WEEK!!!

With over 1,000 pix and videos from 

the ah-mazing-ness that occurred in Italy, 

it was only fitting to create Vicky & Doug 

their very own wedding blog:

Fifty Shades of Grappa

I'm still pinching myself that it all really happened...

I love you both and cannot say thank you enough for allowing us the fortune to celebrate in the best days of your life together :)

XOXOXOXO