The Windy City - Chicago

Well, it is time to dust off the old blog and do some updates. Earlier this summer, Eric and I went to Chicago for a long weekend. Eric had been there for work the previous week and I decided to tag along and meet him there for the weekend. I have been to Chicago a couple of times before when my Aunt Patricia lived there, but I had not been since I was in high school, so I was excited to go back and experience the city as an adult. I did not take pictures of everything we did, but here is a recap.

We stayed on the river at the Wyndam Grand Chicago Riverfront. It was a great location within walking distance to everything we wanted to do. The room was very nice and clean. I would definitely recommend staying here. After flying into Chicago Midway, I took an Uber car and met up with Eric at the hotel. We were hungry so Eric insisted we go to his favorite Italian sandwich place, Portillo's. Eric comes to Chicago for work a lot and he always goes here. I had a sandwich and it was very good. We decided to walk down to Navy Pier after lunch.

The view of downtown Chicago from Navy Pier.

 

The pictures above this are just of our walk back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. Our plan was to go to get deep dish pizza, but when we got the restaurant the wait was really long. We put our name on the list and decided to go find a place to get a drink while we waited. We ended up at Rosebud's on Rush.  We went to the bar and ended up talking to the bartender's and they convinced us to eat there. It was really really good Italian food restaurant. After dinner, we ended up at a local Irish pub, Pippin's Tavern.

The next morning we woke up and did some site seeing. It was a bit rainy, so we bought umbrellas and braved the weather. We walked to Millennium Park and saw the "Bean".

 "Take my picture!"

 A picture of him taking a picture of me taking a picture of us.

 Eric of course had to use his photography skills to take some pictures of flowers.

 Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park - also known as the Married With Children Fountain 

 The Shedd Aquarium

We spent the afternoon mostly in the Shedd Aquarium. It was crowded but nice to get out of the muggy, humid, rainy weather.

 

 I really enjoyed the buluga whales. They were fun.

After the aquarium, we went up the Willis Tower to the SkyDeck - which is basically a glass ledge 1353 feet up in the air. I was a little nervous but it was not too bad. We saw some great views of Chicago and the surrounding area.

That night we met up with Eric's college buddy Patty and his wife Lindsay. They live in Chicago and recently purchased a condo, so we met up with them at their house and then went out to dinner. We got to see a different part of Chicago and catch up with good friends. 

The next afternoon, they met us to go on an architecture boat tour of Chicago. They have been many times before but were nice enough to join us for another one! We took the Wendella Boats tour and had a great time. It was a little hot, but once we got out on Lake Michigan it was great. 

 Trump Tower

 Out on the lake 

We had a great time on the boat tour and spent the rest of the afternoon with Patty and Lindsay at a bar watching the rest of the US Open (I think that was the golf tournament that was on). That evening Eric and I went to Smith and Wollensky to celebrate our three year wedding anniversary. We had a great steak dinner overlooking the Chicago River.

And that concludes our trip! The next afternoon we went back to Dallas. I look forward to my next trip to Chicago!

"Olie stick!"

These pictures are from back in October, but are too cute not too share. Our two year old niece Blair came over because she wanted to see "Olie" (that is how she says it without the two Ls). It is super cute. Blair loves Olie and they had so much fun playing in the back yard. Uncle Eric looks like he had a good time too (even though he was barely awake!).

 "Olie stick!" She holds out a stick to him and wants him to take it from her.

 So cute!

 Get it Ollie!

 Now he sees a squirrel and is distracted and here comes Blair with her stick.

 And off he goes....

 Now they are back at it.

 She is so happy he is taking her stick.

 They both want out.

 Fun with Uncle Eric

We need to have Blair back over for an Ollie play date now that he is healed from his surgery! A blog post to come on that soon! Hope you enjoyed these pictures of Blair and Olie!

Ashleigh and Scott's Newport Wedding

Wow - another post so soon. I know you are shocked! I figured I need to get all our weddings up on the blog (mainly for my looking back on them fondly purposes). In September, we traveled to Newport Beach, California for the wedding of one of my best friends. Ashleigh and I met in college and although have not lived in the same city since we graduated in 2005 (wow we are old), we have remained close and I am so glad to have her in my life.

He really did not want to pose for a beach pic.

Beach pic with the bride

The wedding was on a boat! Yes, we said a lot of "We're on a boat!"

Me, Ashleigh, and Brittany below deck helping the bride get ready (with champagne of course!)

I love watching brides get into their dresses. Such a fun moment!

Ashleigh did not have bridesmaids (just her sister as her maid of honor), so all the best girl friends wore black dresses so we could coordinate) Not the best pic of me, but its all I got. I am probably pointing at Eric and telling him to take more pictures!

Husband and Wife! They really are a couple who is meant to be.

Love you Ash!

I LOVE this picture! Aren't they such a pretty couple?! 

The boat went up and down in the bay between Newport and Balboa Island. It was pretty calm since

 we were not out in the open seas.

The bride's sister Rachel giving her MOH speech.

Friends :)

Love you Ash! I am so happy for you and Scott! You were a beautiful bride and had a perfect wedding. Much happiness to you and Scott (and Jakie!)

Karla and Steve's Stoneleigh Wedding

No point in making excuses as to why I have not blogged. I just have been super busy with work, Ollie's recovery, and life in general. Maybe I will make a better effort, but no promises! I do miss blogging and whoever is still reading this, I am glad you are still around! I know my grandmother Margaret is reading and my father in law (Hi Gary!). To anyone else still clicking on this blog - hello! I hope to start posting more regularly!

This past Friday, one of my best friends, Karla got married! Karla and I met while working together over four years ago and she and I have remained friends along with our other partner in crime Tracy. We only worked together for a couple of months but somehow became fast friends. The joke is that I work places just to make friends. I also ended up meeting Eric though another coworker through this job so I am pretty sure I was meant to work there!

Karla and Steve's wedding was a beautiful boutique hotel in Dallas, The Stoneleigh. Weddings are held in the pent house of the hotel, which used to be an apartment building. It is a very elegant and unique space and perfect for Karla's wedding.

 The bride to be and me - the honeymoon suite was gorgeous! You couldn't ask for a better room to spend your honeymoon in!

 She looked beautiful and SO happy!

 The dress!

 Me, Karla, and Tracy - Triple Trouble! (or at least we were back in the day!)

Tracy and I both were readers in the wedding, which is why we are both wearing black and matching broaches. And how good does my hair look?! Kidding, kinda... I went to to the DryBar and got a mix of the cosmo and the mai tai and at first thought it was too big, too curly, but then it fell and I loved it! It is a very different look for me if you know me well!

 The beautiful bridesmaids. All of their dresses were so pretty - each a different style that fit each girl perfectly. I should also mention this crew is pretty fun!

 Some last minute advice from Dad -  so sweet

 I almost cried but held it together.

 Eric and I

 The reception room.

 Party!

 Posing with Tracy

 It was a dance party - fun fact: Karla used the same DJ that I used in my wedding. It was fun to see him again even if he did remember me as the girl who cried when her wedding was over. Yes I did. I was so sad it was over.

Congratulations to you both! I am so happy I was a part of your special day!