Come ooooonnnn Spring!

Otto and his girlfriend. Seriously, these two are crazy for each other. Lola belongs to our neighbor Heidi who lives on the first floor and we've gotten to become good friends with her. And now, whenever one of them are outside getting a walk, the other one some how knows it and starts insisting on going outside too.

So this past weekend was nice enough for Ray and I to hang out on the balcony and surely enough Lola pulled Heidi up the stairs to come see Otto. Then Otto brought Lola into our apartment to show her his pad...like this the couch where he likes to lie around.

What's really nice about these two is that Lola doesn't mind playing the submissive and Otto likes just standing over her even if she's ignoring him because she's chewing on something.

Another great shot of these two and their smiles.
Boyfriend & Girlfriend in the dog world...how cute!

Here's Otto showing Heidi how he greets Ray and me whenever we come home - with a big doggie hug!

Just hangin' with the adults out on the balcony.





















In mid-March we had Ray's friend Fred from Maine come visit with us.

It's always a fun reminder having a friend from out-of-town visit Chicago because it gives you a chance to be a tourist again yourself and see in the city with fresh eyes.

With Fred we went to a fun Jazz Club one night, caught an improv show and Ray and Him checked out the Natural History museum as well.

Otto hanging out with Linda on the stair steps while Ray does the first Grilled dinner of 2009!

Otto liked Fred quite a bit and gets to be with the boys.
And for future guests, just know that while staying with us you are required to sample several of Ray's home beer selections (he's up to Brew #9 now). Fred enjoyed the lighter beer versus the darker ale and every time Ray gets to share his beer it gives him new ideas for future recipes.

Otto playing with his mommy :-)

Our Home Brew collection is growing and busting out of the closet.

Ray's Beer Label is "O.E.B." which stands for Olde Englishe Bulldogge, and on each of his labels Ray puts a picture or profile of Otto. Here is Otto over-seeing the making of his Ginger-Honey Wheat ale. But Ray has to remind him that he can't sample his beers until he turns 3!