I survived

Despite the snow and the protests at the capitol, we had a good crowd for our gig last night. We had a really last minute sub in the trumpet section (so last minute, I didn't get the email until I was home again), and she was great. I hope she can play with us again. The trumpets did have a little boo-boo in the last few measures of In The Mood, but nobody got hurt and we laughed about it.

We had a great time at the Field Museum on Friday.

We saw big dinosaur bones

We got to be pesky barnacles

We saw multicultural butt cracks

And the girls got worn out!

I got my beef sandwich at Portillos, but to save room, I skipped the fries and shake - I have finally graduated to the "Big Beef," and I ate all but about 3 bites. It's probably a good thing we live 2 1/2 hours from Portillos, or there would be a whole lot more of me to love!

Another holiday birthday

It's Valentine's Day, a "holiday" that doesn't have much meaning for our family. Instead we celebrate something else: ten years ago, Katrina was born at 2:14 on 2/14.

Wow, double digits. I could get all sappy and say how time flies, it seems like only yesterday, etc. But it doesn't really. It just makes me feel old.

Since tonight is her piano lesson, we celebrated last night with dinner out (her choice - Chinese!) and then a trip to Culver's for ice cream. We had birthday cake last Thursday when my Mom and Dad were here. Katrina's birthday cake choice? Cheesecake! She opted out of a party this year (thank goodness!). Instead we're taking her annual trip to a museum, and she gets to bring a friend. She chose the Field Museum in Chicago (again). She absolutely loves that place. Then it's my favorite part - on the way home, we'll stop for dinner at Portillo's (Mmmm, a Big Beef with sweet peppers!). Now, I just have to wait the 11 days until we go.