Family Visit!!

We had such a fun time while my family was in town... we always love showing family and friends around Chicago! Their trip just went by way too fast and now I miss them so much! This visit was a bit more low key... my brother ended up getting sick and the weather was pretty cold! We did some sight-seeing, a good bit of driving/seeing, and a whole lot of hanging out at home ;) loved every minute!!!

My parents arrived Friday morning... my brother and I drove to the airport to pick them up {Z had to work a few hours that morning}. It snowed most of the day, but thankfully that didn't delay their flight or anything! After they arrived, we made a quick trip to the grocery store, hit up REI {an outdoor retail store}, and made a quick stop in Francesca's {a cute little boutique}. We also drove around Lincoln Park and stopped for some pictures since there was still some snow on the ground!

We were all pretty tired that night, {since Z drove 12 hours Thursday and their flight left at 6 am Friday} so we decided to eat at home. I made chicken tortilla soup, yummy! We also cozied up and watched a movie... so fun!

Saturday we decided to bundle up and do some sight-seeing. First we took a train to the financial district. Z just working at the Chicago Board of Trade, so we wanted to show them where his new office is! Plus, you have to ride the El when you're in Chicago!

 Then we walked over to State Street and did a little shopping... Garret Popcorn and City Target to be exact ;) Z's sister had never been to the Bean, so we walked over to Millenium Park {after we grabbed a Starbucks to warm up!!} It was fun because there is an adorable ice skating rink right there, so we enjoyed watching the skaters!!

Can you tell it was cold?! We hopped on a bus {again, any chance to warm up!} and headed to Lincoln Park Zoo! This might have been my favorite part of their trip!! The zoo is free, and they had Christmas lights everywhere... so fun!

For dinner that night, we went to Lou Malnati's. This is one of our favorites! Delicious pizza and such a cute Chicago atmosphere!!

That was enough for one day! We headed back to the apartment to thaw out and watch a movie ;)

We had planned to go to church Sunday morning followed by brunch at Yolk... but my brother woke up sick :/ so I ended up taking my parents to church and Z took my brother to the doctor... boo! We also decided to wait on Yolk and instead just picked up some food at Portillos. Sunday ended up being a lazy day, full of football, movies, and homemade Chex mix!! ;) {it was so yummy, Mom!!}

Thankfully my brother was feeling a little better by Monday, so we headed to Yolk for a New Year's Eve brunch!

We really wanted to go to the Shedd Aquarium {since it was indoors and all!}, but the wait time just to buy tickets was 45 minutes... outside... no thanks! We walked around Soldier Field instead and then headed to Navy Pier! We rode the ferris wheel {one of my favorites!} and checked out the WinterWonderland {which was super cute and a dream come true for all kids under the age of 12, ha! Not so much for us thought!}...

We ended up going to Jake Melnicks for an early New Year's dinner and then attempted to watch fireworks from our rooftop... we couldn't really see them and it was SO cold, but oh well!! I was just glad to ring in the New Year with my family here!!!

We had to take my parents to the airport Tuesday morning. It was pretty hard to tell them bye since we're not sure when our next trip to Alabama will be :/ but I'm sure I won't be able to wait too long, ha!

Z had to go back to work on Wednesday... so my brother, Lolly and I went to Waffles for breakfast lunch... and we drove over to Chinatown, ha! It was a fun day!

We were so glad that my brother got to stay for a few extra days! It was super hard to say goodbye to him too :/ But I'm so thankful for the time we did have and for the wonderful memories!!! And now I'm counting the days until I get to see them all again ;) Miss you all, thanks for coming to visit!!!

We can't wait for our next visitors!!! :)

 

Hello 2013!

Wow... I have not posted on the ol' blog in quite some time!!! We had a fabulous Christmas and a wonderful New Years... and I can.not.believe it's all already over! I will rewind a bit... 

I left Chi-town a week before Christmas to spend some time with my fam. I enjoyed every second!!! Shopping, watching movies, celebrating my dad's birthday, wrapping gifts, and just being lazy! Loved it! Z drove down a few days later, and then the whirlwind of family Christmas gatherings began ;) We spent some time with my dad's family at the beach, had "Christmas morning" a few days early with my family, drove to T-town in time to spend Christmas eve with some of Z's extended family, had Christmas morning at Z's parents' house, and then made the rounds to see both of our extended families on Christmas day! I wouldn't trade a crazy second of it all for anything though... we have the best families and it was so wonderful to spend some time with them all!!! 

We drove back on December 27th with my brother and Z's sister. We had a car FULL of luggage, ha! And there was so much snow through a good part of our drive. Thankfully the roads were completely clear, and we made it back safe and sound in a little over 12 hours! 

My parents flew in on December 28th to spend a few days with us here in Chicago... and we had such a great time {despite the COLD weather and my brother getting sick :/}!! And then my brother stayed with us until last Friday! It all went by way too fast and I'm missing all of my family something fierce today. But I am so thankful for the time that we got to spend together both here and there!!! Picture filled post of their visit here coming tomorrow ;)

One last random thing... We cannot wait until the big game tonight! The local news has been showing segments from Miami the last few days, interviewing Notre Dame players and fans. Also, Notre Dame flags, shirts, etc. are everywhere up here! Don't worry though... we are definitely representing the tide today ;)  

Roll Tide from Chicago!!!

Birthday Wishes

Happy birthday Dad!!! I love you and I'm so glad I get to celebrate with y'all tonight! Thanks for being the best Dad any girl could ever ask for ;) 

Silence for Sandy Hook

{So I'm not a teacher right now, and this isn't a teaching blog... but I wanted to participate in the day of silence for Sandy Hook. This tragedy is heart breaking, and our prayers are with the families... praying for God's peace that passes all understanding}

Tis the Season

-Last weekend we went to see the Joffrey Ballet production of the Nutcracker... loved it!! It was an early Christmas present from Z; have I mentioned I have the best husband ;) In the past, my mom and I always would go to the local production of the Nutcracker in T-town. It seemed like every year one or both of us had sweet little students in the ballet {often they would give us tickets!}, and it was just a fun tradition we started. So it was a special treat to see such a famous production of one of my Christmas faves!!!
-I'm still waaay behind on Christmas shopping... we do have 4 wrapped gifts under our tree though!
-Less than a week until I head home!! Sad Z can't go with me until later in the week, but looking forward to time with my family!!!
-Still no snow here in Chicago... apparently this is like record breaking and all... December 16th is the latest recorded first snow... I'm a little disappointed :/
-Last night I made homemade shrimp fried rice {which is one of Z's favorites} and it was actually good! The original recipe called for teriyaki chicken, which would be delish as well!
-I really love having our apartment decorated for Christmas! It's going to look so bare when we take it all down :/
-I did finally make some Christmas cookies... already in the mood to make more!
-I am trying to make a conscious effort this year to focus on the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Not that I don't usually, but it's pretty easy to get caught up in trying to find the perfect gift or other crazy things. Instead, I want to slow down and remember why we celebrate in the first place!

I love this print that I found on pinterest!! Such a welcome reminder of what this time of year is really all about!

Birthday Wishes

 

Happy Birthday Maggie!

 We love you and miss you pretty girl!! Wish we were there to celebrate with you! Have a great day!

Love,

Z&B

Random Christmas Thoughts...

I haven't posted in a few days... I guess I haven't really had much to blog about! We had a good weekend... we especially LOVED cheering on the Tide! {We definitely got a noise complaint during the game, which Z was pretty proud of! Ha!} We also watched our first Christmas movie of the season... I really love  Christmas movies!! Can't wait to watch a few of my other favorite ones! I REALLY need to start a Christmas to do list... like buy a few presents {since we have not bought a single one yet :/} Still trying to come up with ideas for everyone... and totally drawing a blank! Maybe if I bake some Christmas cookies it will spark a few creative ideas for gifts! {And we'll have some delicious cookies too!!} One exciting note, I purchased a ticket to fly home a little earlier than originally planned for Christmas, yay!! It's been kinda hard not being "home" for all of the annual Christmas traditions, so I'm pretty excited! Another completely random thought... I am a little disappointed that we haven't had any snow yet. I mean I really was bracing myself for blizzards and bitter cold, but not so much yet ;) Monday was close to 70 degrees here! Crazy! I'm sure there is plenty of snow and cold weather coming, just surprised we haven't had any yet...

Well here's hoping I will come up with some fabulous gift ideas and put a few presents under our tree soon!!