Chicago Weekend Away

Larry & I recently took a weekend away to head downtown to Chicago. We stayed at a Westin which was within walking distance to everything that we would have wanted to go to. It was a really NICE time away. We got in late Friday night after eating at one of my favorites, the Cheesecake Factory, on the way down in Old Orchard. Saturday was spent traipsing ALL OVER the entire shopping magnificent mile of Michigan Avenue and heading over to Macy's on State Street as well. Yes, we went everywhere that day it seemed. Definitely managed a Starbucks break somewhere in there. Lunch at PF Chang's (again one of my favorites!). And then back to the hotel for room service and a movie.

Sunday was the big showdown between the Bears & Packers - but really we all knew that it wouldn't quite be of a showdown caliber - if you are a Bears fan like me you would have hoped more for the Bears to at least not have a blow out! My Dad and brother came to pick us up at our hotel and drove over to Soldier Field for the game - during the salute to the American flag, there were 2 air force fighter jets that flew overhead...there is something fairly emotional that happens to me in the midst of those moments for some reason, I just believe more so than not that I am incredibly thankful for the freedoms that we have and we so often take for granted and really give so little thought to - anyways, that tangent to say that I am reminded of all those that have gone before us in that moment to make our freedom possible and for the life that I live today possible!

All predictions came true for the outcome of the game sadly enough - thankfully I did not make a bet with my husband as to who would win. I have learned my lesson after years of making bets and LOSING. Even before we were married, we bet on the games and I always ended up having to clean his whole bachelor pad because the Bears lost! Still a true diehard Bears in spite of it.

The evening finished out with racing back to the hotel, heading for home to get back to our church's performance of Carols by Candlelight - Josiah's first real 'part' to play in a nativity scene. He played the part of Joseph (which consisted of looking at baby Jesus held by his cousin Zoe (Mary)) and he even had a costume made for him! He did a great job, even with strutting all the way down the aisle to the nativity set :).

Here's a shot from the game of us, I realized how rare it is these days that we take pictures of US - it's always all about the children! Somewhere we've got to get it documented that we are growing older too!!