…these people are:

After arriving in Chicago Saturday night, Mom, Dad and Dan came to Kevin’s condo and we grilled out for lunch Sunday. (Dad, Kevin, Me, Dan)

Was stoked to see Kevin and Sarah do the Muncie Ironman 70.3 on Saturday, July 9. (Mom, Kev, Sarah, Sarah’s Mom)

The only thing that would have made my week off even better would have been (in order): if Melissa could have made it out, and if I would’ve been able to run.

Taking advantage of about the only chance I had to leave the San Luis Valley this summer, I headed back to the Chicago-land/Naperville area and had a blast. Did very little work (which rocked), and didn’t have to spend as much time in a car as I was thinking I might - thanks to Dan being able to make it up to Naperville for the holiday weekend rather than me having to head to Bloomington, IL to take him out to the bar.

A few highlights of the week:
*Witnessing the Chicago Mexican market on July 3 with Kevin. I could have bought 4 tires for $50!! Still regret not doing that…
*Lunch later that afternoon at the condo with the family
*Taking Dan out to Miss Kitty’s Saloon for a few drinks - my first time having a chance to take him out to a bar, and then grabbing some 1 a.m. Mexican food at Los Burritos Tapatios
*Lunch with grandma and grandpa on the 4th
*July 4th White Sox game with Greg and Maegan

Maegan, Greg and I at the Ballpark Formerly Known as Comiskey on the 4th of July. Shortly before sharing a baseball helmet full of nachos (best deal in ballpark food ever) and witnessing an exciting walk-off balk.

*Mowing the ‘rents lawn and doing some yardwork - man, I miss yardwork
*Heading out to the Quad Cities to visit Augie, chat it up some old friends, grab lunch at Arthur’s Garden Deli and dinner at Blue Cat Brew Pub with Carney
*Receiving envious looks from all the triathletes as Mom and I walked back to the hotel from Culver’s with delicious, delicious ice cream on Friday night
*Walking around in 95-degree heat all day Saturday while watching Kevin and Sarah do the Ironman 70.3 (Made a video of their races, but unfortunately can’t put it up because of the use of music - and it’s just not worth posting it with no sound)
*Making it back to Alamosa with a pair of Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizzas - Best. Pizza. Ever.

Yeah, I think that’s a pretty decent summary of the week.