M Goes to Chi-Town (Sunday)

Our Sunday...

 Driving to the Boat Tour

 These 2 are a mess together!

 Ready for the boat tour...in 97 degree heat!

 "The Cobb"

I found the lifting bridges/streets so interesting.

 Neat houses on the water

 Sears Tower (now has a new name but I'll call it Sears Tower forever.)

 Famous street to me :)

Lunch on the Navy Pier @ Harry Cary's

 Navy Pier with the Birthday Girl

 Churros were awesome

 The Bean

 Millennium Park water area. Loved it!

 Dinner @ Gibson's for Sara's bday. Yum!!

Group pic that turned out too dark. Dang it, but you can see my neon dress ha! After dinner we went to LuxBar with lotssss of (like 3-5) martinis for mama so I was feel good that night...Happy 30th Sara!!

Time to fly home...

M Goes to Chi-Town (Friday & Saturday)

Finally Memorial Day weekend rolled around & it was time for Katie & I to go to Chicago for Sara's 30th birthday weekend in her new city!! I was so excited about many things: visiting Sara #1 (brief key player summary of Sara...we met freshman year of college, both rushed & pledged Kappa Delta together, lived in an apartment our senior year together, have stayed very great friends since then. She was living in  Dallas at the exact time in my life when I truly needed & wanted a close friend around when I had 2 kids in less than a year time period. On MANY days, Sara was my saving grace by simply hanging out with us, bringing me Bucks, our Mi Co dinner dates, and the list goes on and on.) Soooooo when a new job opportunity came up in Chicago for her I must admit I had a difficult time picturing my friend not being around. However I remind myself & her at times that God has a plan & everything has a reason even though we cannot see it. I feel like there is a reason that she has moved off to Chicago. I only wish her the very best in life & love her!
#2 reason I was pumped is that I couldn't wait to a fun girls/adult only weekend away & in Chi-Town!! (I've only been there once when I was 6 years old.
The very fun & cool part is that Cristina (my freshman roommate & sorority sister) & Jessica (sorority sister) decided to come up that weekend as well to surprised Sara. Cristina just had her 2nd baby 2 months ago so major props to her for pulling that off! Sara was SO shocked & it was just such a wonderful refreshing time with old great friends!! We had LOTS of laughs!! I really really liked Chicago & cannot wait to go back!

The big surprise at the pizza place!!

So happy to be there with you, Sara!

Cristina, Jessica, & Katie, & our huge deep dish Chicago pizza.

Saturday morning driving into downtown.

Sara & I went on a morning walk at the lake which is a block from her apartment...awesome!

Love the lake :)

Saturday lunch at a SNL classic place, Billy Goat Tavern

Girls on Michigan Ave whooooo!!

Quite an experience at lunch. :)

<3

Mommy loves you Emma Kate :)

Mama loves to shop!

Away from the kids & in the Disney store taking pics for the kiddos.

 Taxi to dinner Saturday night because of feet were SO tired from all 5 miles of walking that day!

 I'm the front taxi cab rider because I enjoy chatting it up!

 After dinner having some drinks.

Champagne please!

Katie got to carry a "special" gift home hahaha!!

Pretty Pretty Princess Playdate

Last Thursday, Emma Kate got to have the best playdate...dress up as a princess AND with 2 of her favorite girly friends, Mia & Presley! Ashley hosted us & Rachel, Presley, & baby David are in town so we had to take advantage. Lots of playing, donut eating, & chatting. It was a great time with our 3 princesses & the younger siblings. :)

 3 sweethearts!!

 Oh Mia, this one made me smile!

 Little brother had to join his "girlfriends"

 The Belle Princesses

 This is what 6 kids in a playroom looks like!

 Doesn't matter he still always wants mama's iphone.

 Saying their good-byes

baby David needed to say bye too!

 <3

<3