The webholstad archives 2006
11/21/2006
Well, Erica showed up for her wedding day, so the guys' tradition of marrying up continues. Atta boy, Crash. What a great weekend, thanks guys. Our pictures of the wedding are up, just click the first pic.
Also, now I know what a gin bucket is. Sweet. See if you can guess which person thought that up.
Finally, here's the end of the night, I'd say everyone is hanging in pretty well!
10/4/2006
Fall is here, and for a brief moment, our football world was perfect...6:59pm Saturday night, the Bears were undefeated, and the Hawks
were 13th in the country. Iowa City was THE center of the sports universe; Corso even had the Herky head on (looking back, that was the ultimate jinx)...then the game started. Oh well, time to forget this one
and move on. We're heading to IC for the Purdue game, and we can't wait to see the old friends again. Is there anything better than
seeing old faces over some brews and a Crock o'shrooms at Micky's? see you there!
9/6/2006
I know, I know, we've been pretty crum-tastic about getting updates up, but we have big news: we've bought a condo! We found
a great place just northwest of our old place, in a neighborhood called St. Ben's. We're really happy here, and a huge thanks to
all the friends that helped out (AGAIN)... I've officially violated Man Law, which states that friends are exempt from helping you move
for two years after an initial move; three years if stairs are involved. Yikes, we're in HUGE violation there... Pics coming soon.
Ike's bachelor party was a blast, and now Travis is coming to town to do it all over again, BOOOMeyer style. Can't wait, and with the Hawks
cranking it back up again, life is great! Now if only we can get out of september without whizzing away our top 15 ranking... Syracuse is up
next, bring it on you orange suckas! Any of you remember the "no heart, Iowa" talk? This is payback time for those east coast boys! (If you haven't heard that,
don't worry, eventually the story will come up again as we recycle the same 30 spring break tales.)
Brad, I wish it would have been you.
8/18/2006
HOLY BABY TIME, BATMAN!
The good news just keeps on coming! First Cally, now
Zach and Dena are expecting one of their own! Then, just to finish out the week, my sister Steph called to
tell us that she and Jake are pregnant too! Way to go everybody. It's going to be a kiddie packed spring, can't wait!
This weekend is also the main man Ike's bachelor party, hosted by team Chicago. We're off to a cubbies game and the races
at Arlington Park, so listen for the sound of Quinellas paying off left and right. We'll take good care of him, Erica! I
resisted the urge to book that "eat sushi off the naked girl" restaurant, so you can rest assured it'll be mostly just him
losing his money at the poker table... and no Ike, we're not playing any "Let it Ride" (that's not a dirty joke, so get your
minds out of the gutter, will ya?)
8/13/20006
We met Cally last night, she's gorgeous! I've already started discussing the Hawkeyes starting lineup with her, so she'll be ready to hang
come September.
We have our camera back, so I've put up three new galleries: Matt and Bethany's wedding, Heather's trip to San Fran
and the Goodman reunion 2006.
8/10/2006
Hi gang! Lots of happenings lately: Cally Navarro was born! We're so excited to finally meet her, tonight could be the big night. She and Sandy are
doing great, and Nick finally fulfills his 'big daddy' role. Heather just got back from visiting Renee in San Fran, they finally had a chance to hang out and have
some girl time and catch up on everything. Also, we bought a condo this week! It's a second-floor place just north of where we are now, in a neighborhood called
St. Ben's, although most people know the area as Northcenter. We have rented for nine years, and I think we've moved every year since high school. Finally, we have
a place to call home! We'll figure out a time to have a party to break the place in. Until then, who wants to help us move? <g> Actually I saw a Man Law
commercial that said I have to wait three years before asking again: dudes, you're all off the hook. That just leaves the females... so it's time to hit the weights ladies!
7/20/06
Hot. Man it's hot here. Anyway, we've been having a great summer, hope all of you have as well. The big news of the week is that Heather's little
sister Brie passed her nursing boards, and she and Wally have left Chicago for San Diego, of all places. Seems like the midwest-SD pipeline is open
for a few more years...we'll be out soon to visit them and all of the old gang, so get the 8 foot foamie boards ready! Just kidding, I shred waves
with the real deal. No wait, I remember now, I suck. Norse aren't built for balancing; but apparently Belgians and Polish folks are, since it took Brie and
Johnny Tsunami about 3 seconds to figure it out. Yes, I know this post has officially derailed...enjoy the summer everybody! - h & s
Also, some new pics are up from the 4th of July weekend, check 'em out.
6/24/06
Summer is officially kicking in here, and Chicago doesn't waste a moment celebrating summer before the 90% humidity hits;
we've been at the beach, and have checked out some of the street fairs that seem to pop up every weekend around Lakeview. We're also celebrating our
latest creation: I fulfilled a life-long dream (I know, aim high) of building a Hawkeye beanbag toss set. The debate rages whether
the game is called "bags" (Piet parents), "beanhole" (H & S), or "cornhole" (yeah right, Google that and see what pops up). Anyway, if you are in the
area, look us up for a game, and if you know of somebody who wants a set, maybe we'll start a little cottage industry <g>
Now that the NBA, NHL and USA's World Cup have finished up, the countdown for football season begins today...Also I have a birthday coming up
that we're celebrating at Starved Rock. I had to ask Heather yesterday how old I was, that can't bode well for me.
Haha, enjoy the summer everybody! -heather & steve
6/7/06
A big congrats to my sister & Jake, they tied the knot last week in Evergreen, Colorado. We had a great time out there, almost the entire
family was able to make it, and Heather even got to see her cousin Katie while we were there. The wedding was in a quiet meadow, surrounded by cliffs covered in Evergreens,
and the service took place in front on a mountain creek. Jake even was able to get us on at a ridiculously great
golf course, The Ridge, which was hands down the best course I've ever played. Considering I beat my dad, breaking a long losing streak, it was a perfect trip!
Welcome to the family, Jake.
5/13/06
What a month! We moved May 1st to the new apartment, leaving the fun but people-packed area of Wrigleyville for a two-flat a few blocks south. For the most part, we
have been hanging out on our deck and enjoying the new grill. I'm not sure how we survived all these years without one, we won't
make that mistake again. Potter is crazy about his new fenced-in back yard, although he's still not sure that he can go outside
without us there.
The old college gang showed up the next weekend, this was the first time that I can remember in a long time that we've had a chance
to hang out without a wedding involved...so we took the opportunity to brush up on our poker skills, watching Matt Paul being Matt Paul,
and inventing the greatest game of all time, "Wallfle-Ball". Here's a brief overview, patent-pending (I smell a Baseketball movie sequel here): Basically this
is small-yard batting practice, with a few additions: striking out means a one-pitch death squad-style punishment of facing the wall and praying the next
hitter doesn't happen to rip a line drive up your spine. Striking out looking means the same punishment, but you're dropping your pants this time. (I know, you're
thinking "That's Genius!"...and yes, some beer was involved in creating the game). Only one butt cheek was harmed, but he toughed it out. The game was perfected
once we added the rule that the batter could prevent being put out by intercepting the off the wall (or butt cheek) ricochet, and spiking the wiffle ball
before the fielders were able to tackle him. Does life get any better?
Next weekend, next adventure: Brie and Wally graduated from Illinois State, congrats guys! Brie now has degree in nursing, Wally finance. They're heading to
San Diego this summer, and will try the West Coast life for awhile. We're so excited for them, we know what a great time lies ahead...and you San Diego folks, take care
of them out there! We've already booked a stay with them for Ruggles' wedding, can't wait! Their graduation weekend was terrific, one final college blast
involving cameras and couches flying off porches, Heather's parents & long islands in Mason Jars (an ILL ST tradition), and so many great stories...Brie and I even pitched her
new tent in the living room, it seemed like the only sensible thing to do at 3am. I'll save the shoe-fishing stories for later, but you can imagine the one
that got away.
Here are pics of all the latest madness:
Brie & Wally Graduation
Iowa Gang visit May 2006
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill Concert
Moving Day 2006
4/19/06
We spent some time back in Iowa last weekend for my sister's wedding showers, it was nice to head back to the homeland to see everyone. Steph and Jake
are getting married in May, so we'll be heading out to Denver for a few days. Brie and Wally are graduating before leaving us for San Diego; May is going to be
busy, but tons o' fun!
We're moving May 1st to a two-flat on Sheffield, just a bit more south than we are now. Potter is excited, he'll have a fenced-in backyard
to explore, and we'll have a deck, so I can finally get the grill I've been wanting. You're all invited over to grill out, I'm going to see
how many types of food I can cook on that thing...first up: Pizza Leftovers. We'll miss the old apartment near Wrigley, but we're still walking distance
to games, and I won't have to step over passed out strangers after every home game. (I don't mind stepping over our passed out friends <g>).
Now that baseball is back, here are a few things:
Congrats to Steph and Seth, big winners of the first annual baseball challenge.
Here's pretty much my all-time favorite link, a guy took the old RBI baseball video game and synched up the Bill Buckner World Series radio broadcast..it is a bit long,
but hilarious if you used to play RBI: View it
And just some good old-fashioned Cubbie sarcasm: View it
3/30/06
Check out Melinda's blog from her work in New Orleans...pretty amazing stuff, and what an opportunity for her. Note: The page no longer exists, but you can search from here steamboatpilot.com
On a much less important note,
I pseudo-dominated the first ever Jeopardy! online testing session last night, so you can pretty much bet Alex Trebek will be
personally calling me this morning...I'll be by the phone.
3/19/06
Hawkeyes, Spartans: good job, guys. No, I haven't quit my day job.
3/16/06
We've had some great news today! Renee, one of our best friends, came through her
brain surgery with flying colors! She and her husband Dave are two truly amazing people,
and it's moments like this that make us really appreciate how special our friends are. Keep
them in your hearts and prayers this week, they've been through a ton, and deserve some good
vibes headed their way. Renee, you'll be sitting on a beach in Mexico, Mai Tai
in hand before you know it. <g>
We're hosting a mini-version of the world's fair in our apartment this weekend, as weary travelers
stop in to rest and take on a few pints of Guinness. I've made up my uber-special St Patty's day shirt,
which I'm sure will be available for viewing soon after in our picture area. Sorry ma, for oh so
many reasons. Heather's shirt is pretty standard Shamrockishness, while mine may offend Iowans, pheasants
and Pabst Blue Ribbon all at once, the holy trinity of t-shirt humor.
Don't forget the NCAA tournament starts thursday, and yes Dave, I'm even pulling for Michigan State
this year, just for you. Is Mateen Cleaves still around? Man, I hope they show his mother for the 3,273rd
time. Honestly though, they could make a big run, so put 'em deep into your bracket. You heard it here
first.
3/4/06
Wow, February was quite a month, Katie and Jeff had triplets, Chris Gabriel had a baby boy, and the one
and only Big Daddy and his wife Sandy made the move to Chicago. So many new faces!
Work stuff: Heather couldn't be happier at her new job, they've been really great to her when
she had some last minute things come up, and she really likes the team there. I've been placed
on a project with Microsoft, and I'll be downtown for the near future. My foosball skills are
through the roof, as I look to carry "The Rowdies" to elite status.
If anyone is free for St. Patty's day, this should be quite a weekend. I'm taking Friday afternoon
off, to keep an eye on the NCAA basketball tournament, and Kim and Taylor are heading in from
Des Moines. I love how everyone is Irish for the day...but why doesn't anyone want to claim
to be Norwegian for a party? My people get no love.
2/10/06
We've been turned into country music fans by Brie and Wally, lately we can't get enough of it.
I haven't really listened to it since high school, and even back in small town Iowa I wasn't overly
into it, but the best part is seeing my city girl start to pick it up. We found a country bar
called Carol's Pub just north of us, and we've dragged a few city friends there recently...I can't
believe a true honky tonk is thriving down here!
After quite a bit of soul searching, we found the perfect place for our wedding, Starved
Rock Lodge. Check out the new Wedding page for details as we figure them out. We realize
how far away Sept 1, 2007 is, but everything seemed to push that way, and we weren't
fighting it. My sister Steph is getting married this spring, as well as Matt, Travis,
Seth, Ike & Nick all taking the non-Hawkeye football weekends. Just kidding...
but not really. We can't wait, we think it will be a blast at the lodge: log cabins,
now how bad can that be? :-)