CHICAGO!!!!!

I LOVE CHICAGO!! What is not to love?! It has a lake, the weather is awesome, and the food is great!! By the third day there, I was ready to have our dog shipped to us and Jason and I would just stay there permanently =).  I highly recommend everyone should go see the Windy City at some point in their lifetime. You won't be disappointed. I feel like a part of the city has come home with me. 

So what did we do while we were there? Well I plan on giving a detailed account - don't worry. That way when you plan your trip to Chicago (because trust me - you are going to want to go) you can take tips from us!!

Day #1

Jason and I arrived at Chicago O'Hare airport around noon and took the El to our hotel downtown. We stayed at the Hampton Inn. I definitely recommend it.  It was reasonably priced and we had a yummy continental breakfast each morning before we went sight seeing. However, it was next to a fire station so you do hear sirens at all hours but we live near a fire station at home so it didn't bother us. We checked in and headed towards the Magnificent Mile. The Magnificent Mile is a mile of shops on Michigan Avenue and it was only 3 blocks from the hotel (bonus!!!) It has a ton of shops - Apple, Banana Republic, Borders, Crate and Barrel, Nike Town - the list goes on and on. Shoppers paradise!! When we got to Michigan Avenue, we stopped at the Chicago Tribune building. The guy who built this place wanted to place stones from various places from all over the world on his building. I think there are over 100 stones from all over the world on the bottom half of the building. And for those Batman fans (me!) out there, the Batcave scenes were filmed in the basement of the tower.

A really cool quote in the front of the building

Oh London - how I miss you!!

In front of the Alamo stone!!

I took many more pics of stones but I will spare you from them =) We shopped to our hearts content and then headed to Navy Pier! Oh but here is pic of the Water Tower on Michigan Avenue - one of the only buildings to survive the Great Fire of Chicago of 1871.

Navy Pier:

Navy Pier was a really great place to go. It had a ferris wheel and putt putt golf course, tons of restaurants and food stands, sight seeing cruises, and a beautiful view of Lake Michigan. Plus from Memorial Day to Labor Day, they have fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday nights. We spent the rest of the night at Navy Pier enjoying the sights and cool weather. 

On Navy Pier - isn't it so pretty?

We decided to go on a firework cruise and watch the fireworks from the lake. You could see the fireworks really well from the boat and we got a great view of the city skyline at night. 

Some of the best fireworks I've ever seen

On our way back to the pier - it was cold on the boat - and windy!!

It was a great first day in Chicago! Stay tuned for Day #2 !!!

Little Zane

This is a week late but my really good friends Crystal and Tommy had their beautiful little boy last Monday. I'm glad he came before we went to Chicago because I would have been really sad that I wouldn't have been able to see him until we got back. Crystal's labor went smoothly and mom and baby are doing great. Zane is so precious and beautiful! They did such a great job!! I can't wait to watch little Zane grow up. Congrats Crystal and Tommy!

He opened his eyes once and then slept the entire time I held him

I can't believe your a mommy now!! You look great Crystal!!!

I'll be back soon to talk about our trip to Chicago! It was amazing!!!

Last two weekends

These last two weekends have been busy. Two weekends ago, we went to Houston to see Jason's family and to see our niece, Karis. It was too short but it was so good to see everyone. I unfortunately did not get any pics of anyone except Karis because well she's just so darn cute.

Then this last weekend, our really great friend, Ryan, got married!! We are so excited for them to start this journey together. They are truly meant for one another. I called it the first day I met his wife, Amy. I asked Jason right after they left if they could get married (true story) and a year and half later, they did!! I can't wait to share life with them. They're the best.

Look at her holding the bottle all by herself!!

This was literally two seconds before she started crying. I seem to have that affect on children. Haha!!

Her dress was gorgeous!!

The happy couple and us

Jason asked if this could be our Christmas card pic...um..no, babe.

Well that's all for now, we're headed out for Chicago tomorrow morning! I can't wait. I will post pics from the vacation when we get back. For the rest of you working this week, I'm sorry!!! Enjoy the hot texas weather while I'm living it up in the Windy City!!

Birthday girl!!

My little niece, Kaydence, turns four today. I can't believe that she is four!! She is so full of spunk and sassiness and my family always makes comments that I was exactly like her when I was her age. Which is a good sign, considering I turned out awesome ;). She loves Hannah Montana, dancing and singing, and  being the center of attention. I think we have a little performer on our hands. I remember she looked so cute on my wedding day in her little dress and at the last minute refused to wear her shoes down the aisle so I will always have pictures of my barefooted princess. Haha. Kaydence is so precious and I can't wait to watch her grow into a beautiful young girl. Happy Birthday my sweet girl. Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Jason love you!!!

So you think you can dance!

I'm pretty sure that I wish I could move like this girl.  You know Albert Brennaman, the guy in Hitch? That's how I move. Don't be jealous. 

The best day of my life

Two years ago today, I married the man of my dreams. To say that I am the luckiest girl is an understatement. I don't know how I got such an amazing man to marry me and God has blessed and taught me so much through him. I love Jason more today than I did the day I married him and I can't wait to share so many more years together and share life's adventures with him. He truly is my soul mate. I couldn't decide if I wanted to make a list of memories from the year that I will remember about us or if I wanted to make a list of the things that I love about Jason so I decided to do a smaller version of both. Here's to you babe, I LOVE YOU!

Memories

1. Our first time hosting a holiday - even with the burnt rolls, it still turned out really well

2. Bringing Lucye home, Jason is such a good puppy daddy - no wonder she likes him more than me!

3. Taking care of me during my surgery - Jason must really love me if he will help me shower, change my clothes, and see my look like crap for days on end =)

4. All of Jason's triathlons - I love seeing Jason find enjoyment with these activities and love watching him race!

5. The day we had to rush Lucye to the ER vet - Jason was so calm and kept me from passing out from all the hyperventilating

Things I love about Jason:

1. His passion for Jesus, physical therapy, and working out 

2. His calming reassurance with all my irrational fears, ridiculous stories, and overexaggerations; he seems to be able to take my sometimes overdramatic personality and role with it =)

3. His shoulders and arms - so good looking!

4. Even if he is almost asleep, he will wake up and always kiss me good night before going to sleep

5. How he makes me feel like a million dollars when I'm in shorts and a t-shirt

6. How he will make an amazing dad some day - lucky kids!

7. His laugh

I would name more things that I love about Jason but I will save that for another day. Today has been such a great anniversary and we celebrated by going to Texas de Brazil for dinner. Mmm..their potatoes de grautin are to die for and I actually had some wine that was actually really good!! It was such a great time to just sit down and enjoy each other's company. I can't wait to celebrate in Chicago in a couple of weeks! Yahoo!

Crystal's Baby Shower

Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending and helping host a baby shower for my good friends Crystal and Tommy. I was so excited when they told me they were expecting and now the day is almost here for their little one to be born. I can't wait to see little Zane and I know they are going to be awesome parents. The shower was a blast and I had such a good time catching up with friends from college! 

All the hostesses in front of the cake/food table

Me and the mommy to be. Doesn't she look fabulous!?

Crystal and Tommy in front of all their gifts

Love these girls!!

My best friend, Jacque, came all the way from North Carolina for the baby shower (and to see her new niece!) and I was so excited I got to see her. It had been way too long. She had to head back the next day to start her next semester in grad school but hopefully I can see her again soon. Maybe we will meet in Seattle!!