Here we are in front of Buckingham Fountain. You can see the Sears Tower in the background in one of its final days as the Sears Tower. Now it has been renamed The Willis Tower because some company with that name leased a TON of office space in the tower. Hmmmm...it doesn't roll off the tongue like the old name, but oh, well! Hopefully, Buckingham Fountain won't be renamed Target Fountain or some such nonsense. Oh, wait, there's no office space in Buckingham Fountain....
Friday, July 24, 2009
Family Band goes to Chicago!
Nicholas and Sunny were kind enough to drive Chiara and Norah to Chicago; James met us there and we walked around downtown. We found this quiet little garden near the Art Institute and spent some time looking at this fountain. It was really peaceful here compared to the streets!
4th of July parade 2
Action shot of Norah and Ethan before the parade. We wanted them to burn some energy, but the ended up running all over the neighbor's yard. Oops...
4th of July parade
We went to the Grandville Independence Day parade, and it was a lot of fun! To start, two Air Force jets went right over the parade route in formation (and very low!). It was loud and really exhilarating to watch!
Norah loved watching all the floats and people go by, especially the firetrucks. Here she is with a necklace she acquired by being cute and sitting on the sidelines!
Sisters
Aless and I and the babies at our old Alma Mater, Shawmut Hills Elementary (which seems so much SMALLER than we remember it!).
Meijer Gardens (Again!)
This time we went with my cousin and two of her children. Here are Norah, Emily, and Christopher playing in the "Great Lakes" water area.
At Millennium Park
Norah and Bree at Millennium Park, which used to be an old gravel pit but has been converted into a beautiful park.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Meyer May House VII
Last photo, I promise. I just wanted to show the horizontality of the house from the outside. Notice all the windows too. Imagine this house surrounded by Victorian construction--which is what was being built at the time. Meyer May was truly a daring and modern man!
Meyer May House VI
My absolute favorite part was this wrap-around mural of hollyhocks. When Steelcase bought the house, this was covered in several layers of paint--they painstakingly peeled the paint off and restored this beautiful, subtle, painting.
Meyer May House V
One of my favorite parts was the dining table, which had these 4 lights on the four corners (also made of art glass). At dinner, the May family could have all lights dimmed except these four, making a nice cozy atmosphere for dinner.
Meyer May House IV
Art glass windows made up all but I of the 165 windows in the house. The lighting was beautiful. On top of this photo, you can see that there were skylights built in, too, to add to the light in the house.
Meyer May House III
The fireplace had glass tile between the lines of brick. It was warm and reflective and so colorful. F.L. Wright even designed the indirect light behind the fireplace--so modern.
Meyer May House II
To increase the look of horizontal lines on the house, the bricks had different colored mortar in the horizontal joints and the vertical joints. It gives the illusion that the house is composed of only horizontal layers built on one another. Very cool.
Meyer May House
Francesca and I went to the Mayer May house, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1908. Steelcase bought it in 1986 and restored it. It was absolutely breathtaking, even for today. Here we are in the entryway, which is hidden on the side of the house.
At the Meijer Gardens IV
I love this photo. She is running her hand along those bamboo pipes to hear the music.
At the Meijer Gardens II
It took Norah a little time to gather up the courage to actually touch the huge horse!
At the Meijer Gardens
We went to the Meijer Gardens with Nick and Sunny and their nieces. Here are Norah and Uncle Nick by Michelangelo's horse.
More doggy time
Jessie likes to sit on tables--she must like the view that that affords her. Francesca's boyfriend Jarrod decided to join in on the doggy petting time, too!
One day later.
Here are the happy couple the day after the wedding. They will be honeymooning in Italy in September.
Matchmaker, Matchmaker, make me a match...
Chiara's cousin Alexandra was the one who introduced Nick and Sunny. What a wonderful match! Nick and Sunny complement each other wonderfully. Thanks, Alex!
Being Models
Here are all the Jasinski's plus spouses trying to be models. I think Sunny has the best look!
All of us and Sunny, too.
Here are all the Jasinski siblings and Sunny. Nick just scooped her up at the last minute!
Marco II and the Pinata
Marco II is Marco I's friend. Marco I is Chiara's brother. Marco II thought it would be a fitting end for the pinata to be worn as a hat. Norah was amused!
You mean I have to HIT the pinata?
Norah was very confused by the whole idea of a pinata. She just thought that the donkey was a colorful friend to play with--she was absolutely horrified when we strung her new friend up, and started hitting him with a stick. She started crying, and everyone turned around to look at her; James said she is a Pinata rights advocate--that got a laugh. Eventually, Norah changed her moral position and joined in the pinata torture. James had to show her how to do it.
Nicholas and Sunny's Wedding!
Here's the Family Band at Nick and Sunny's wedding. What a beautiful day it was; sunny, not too hot, and not too humid.
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