Chi-ca-go!

Last weekend Jeremy and I went to Chicago to celebrate our five year anniversary! The last time we were there was the December after we got married. It was a wonderful weekend, but it honestly wasn't long enough. We ate great food (including Chicago style pizza and some awesome sushi), shopped, hung out with friends, walked around a lot, enjoyed the city and just enjoyed being together. We even took a nap in the hotel during the afternoon on Sat. At first I felt guilty because we were wasting time in a beautiful city, but then didn't feel too guilty because we don't get to do that at home much.

It has been a long time since we have done something as just the two of us, even before Addie was here. We just always seem to vacation or do weekend getaways with friends of family. We missed our little girl, but definitely enjoyed just being together. It was weird riding in the car for a long time and not have to entertain a toddler in the backseat, but very much appreciated too.

Chicago is a fabulous city that has so much to offer! There was so much more we wanted to do! Enjoy the pics...

(Addie pictures will come soon since that is what most of you read this blog for anyway.) :)

Jeremy told me to take a picture of this. Windmills in Northern Indiana...

Yummy place we went for dinner on Friday night, Zed 451. Very unique, Bralizian barbeque style. If you are a meat eater then this is your place!

Out on the town...

...with some great friends...Erin, Chris and Josh. Erin and I went to Butler together and Josh went to WKU with Jeremy. So great to catch up!

The newlyweds...married in April!

I love this girl!

How cool is this moose? Made out of car bumpers.

Absolutely beautiful!

On the Architecture boat tour

The "Sears" Tower (now the Willis, but everyone still calls it Sears)

I love this city!!!

Cloud Gate, aka The Bean, at Millennium Park

Jeremy looks so serious here

The auditorium at Millennium Park.

Chicago Tribune building...pieces of buildings from around the world are on the outside walls of the building

At the Architecture Foundation's exhibit. A 3-D model of the city. So cool!

The stage at night. Saturday night there was a free American Dance Festival concert with performances by national dance companies: Alvin Ailey, American Ballet Theater, Dayton Contemporary Ballet, etc. What a treat! We didn't stay long because we were sitting on the grass and it was really cold! We didn't pack enough warm clothes, unfortunately. :(

"The Bean" at night

A wonderful weekend together!

Part 2...What I get away with at Papaw and Mamaw's house...Ice cream

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Mamaw gave Addie a a chocolate ice cream cone and here is how she felt about it...

(Sorry some of the pictures are blurry. I was trying a setting on our camera that I hadn't tried before.)

(I love this one...too bad it is blurry)

Yep, rolling on the floor with the cone in enjoyment...

Eating from the bottom...

And some of the end results...

Chocolate on the face, chest, hands and...

hair!

Yummy! Who can blame the girl?

And that is what grandparents are for, right?

What I get away with at Papaw and Mamaw's house...Part 1

Last Saturday Jeremy and I had a youth event so Jeremy's dad and step-mom watched Addie. Here are the fun things she gets to do at Papaw and Mamaw's house...

Play on a funny blow-up cow...

Play in the pool...

Help water the flowers and play with the hose...

Run around free (they have lots of land)...

Play in the rocks with dad...

Sunbathe and chill in the chair...getting ready for our vacation in Florida!

First slumber party

Yep, another first, Addie had a friend spend the night. We unexpectedly had to watch Emma overnight on Thursday night until Friday evening. Heather and Peter are in California and Heather's parents were supposed to watch Emma, but an emergency came up and we were more then willing to help out. Emma goes to the same daycare so that made some things easier.

They had so much fun together! Emma did pretty well despite the circumstances. Her biggest issue was Sadie. She hasn't been around many dogs, especially big dogs, so she would cry just when she saw Sadie. It was funny because Addie kept looking at Emma confused on why she would be scared of Sadie. They played together, took wagon rides together and even bathed together. I spared the cute pictures and video of bath time (not for sure if Heather and Peter (or us really) would want the world to see all of that) . Jeremy and I had fun doing it and found out it would be hard to have twins or triplets at times. :)

Have a great week!


Addie is such a lover! All she wanted to do was hug and kiss on Emma. Sometimes she would knock Emma down when doing it even though she is smaller. They chased each other around the house.

At one point the first evening they both wanted ME to hold them! I got my arm workout. Ashley--how do you do it with three? :)

First wagon ride

Such girls...playing with cell phones

Second wagon ride

So sweet!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

5 years ago...

Jeremy and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary last Friday, August 7th. We are heading next weekend to Chicago for a weekend getaway. It has been a while since we have been somewhere as just the two of us. Usually we are visiting friends and family during vacations/weekends or have the bean with us. I joked with Jeremy telling him that this is his favorite anniversary since the 5th is "wood"--Jeremy loves woodworking! My parents got us a wood picture frame, but I think he would prefer a huge amount of cherry lumber as a gift instead. :)

In some ways it seems like yesterday and in other ways it feels longer since we got married. I am so blessed to have Jeremy in my life. He is a wonderful husband, an amazing father to our beautiful daughter, my best friend and partner in life. Jeremy is the hardest working and most giving person I have ever met. He has a huge heart, can be sooooo funny, is stubborn (yeah, that makes three in our household) and is so laid back. He doesn't care what other people think of him..."This is me...like it or not" type of guy. Jeremy is full of energy, passionate, extremely talented, incredibly smart and always wears a smile on his face. I could go on and on, but don't want to make this too sappy. :) If you know Jeremy then you know these things about him, if you don't then you can see why I married him.

Marriage can be hardwork, but it is the best thing I have ever experienced! I'm thankful to God for the life that we have. We are truly blessed! I am look forward to many more years together!

A few pics from 5 years ago...

Just hitched!

On the beach at our honeymoon...Mayan Riviera, Mexico

Last night of our honeymoon