4.23.2007

Magnificent Memories (corny title, I know. . .)

What a weekend! (Did you miss me?! I hope so!)

Wednesday morning we were preparing for an open house on Sunday, but then Wednesday afternoon Neil calls me at home and asks "do you want to go to Chicago?" I was like "Huh? Why?" He said, "Well, I forgot that I have a presentation I have to do tomorrow in Milwaukee, so I thought I'd drop you and the kids off in Chicago for the day, then when I got back, we'd have the rest of the weekend". I said, "Ok, I have a wedding album that I must finish and then yeah, let's go, but I must finish the album."

So, I got my album done by 10 Wed night (yippee - huge stressor off my shoulders!), then spent a few more hours packing before we had to get the kids up by 7 a.m. Thurs so we could be on the road, drop the dog off, get Val her Starbucks and then be in Chicago by 12 at the latest so that Neil could then be in Milwaukee by 2 that afternoon.

What a tiring night and morning! But we did make it by noon and Neil dropped us off at the apartment (Neil's dad has an apartment right off of Michigan Avenue which we get to stay at every time we are up there if they are not using it - thanks to their amazing generosity!), then got on his way to Milwaukee to make his 20 minute presentation (seems like such a waste, doesn't it?!) and then was back by 5:00 that evening. The rest of the weekend we spent as a family packing our days full with great meals (here - always a must!, here, here, and here - also always a must), the Museum of Science of Industry, naps, meeting Sara, Seth, Jason & Jennifer for lunch, then off to Lincoln Park zoo with Sara, Seth, Blake & Emma, a walk along Lake Michigan (about 2 miles! but what a beautiful enjoyable walk it was), shopping (of course, um, hello?!, we're talking about Val here!), a walk to a neighborhood park for the kids to play, and much more.

It was just so enjoyable . . . we had the best time, but it went way too fast. We wanted so badly to make time to see Jas & Jo, Katie, David & Rachel, Matt & Anna . . . , but time just got away from us. If it weren't for the melt downs Maia had (meaning we had waited way too long as it was for her to take a nap) and for naps themselves, then we most likely would have had time. But it was hard, too, because we didn't even know we were coming till the day before and so no one else knew we were coming . . . and well, you just never know how an unplanned weekend will go, nevermind how a day will go with small young children. (Sigh . . .) But, our plans (hopes!) are to make a weekend of it again in May or June without our Mister and Missy just to take a much needed break as a couple with some of our dear friends. If only life could just stop for a little while, eh? (* personal note to Jo . . . did you guys know Randy & Amy are home?? Do you think you'll make a trip down yonder here? I hinted to Amy that Randy needs to have a "party" while they're here . . . hee hee . . . maybe we'll see ya? Call me if you're comin'!)

I will definitely post some pictures from Chi-town once I get to downloading them. It was such a magnificent weekend on the "Magnificent Mile" - perfect weather, all healthy, not too many worries . . . so I went crazy with my photography. Nahhhh . . . not Val.

16 comments:

Erin said...

Welcome back!! I was wondering where you'd disappeared off to. Good to hear you had a nice spontaneous weekend. Can't wait to see the pictures. Have a great Monday!!

Anonymous said...

How fun! I was thinking a better title might be MONDAY's Magnificent Memories?! :) You're the best, Val. Glad you had so much fun. And yummmy to PF Changs! What did you get? Chang's Spicy Chicken is my fave & the Crispy Honey Chicken is to die for!

A said...

Glad you were able to get away. Those unplanned weekends usually end up being the most fun since there are no expectations!

Michelle said...

Yay! I did miss you! :)

Glad you were able to get away for a bit and it sounds like it was a great time!

Michelle said...

Sorry...I'm back! But isn't it just AWESOME that the Cheesecake Factory is SO close to the apartment!!

;)

Unknown said...

I know, Chel, isn't it great!? This time we just ordered it out - Neil went and got it, brought it back and we had a picnic on the floor. Much better than waiting 2 hours, even 1 hour, and we didn't have to buy drinks. Although their drinks are pretty darn great . . . :) I bet you miss Chicago. Will you get to journey back up there some time?

mama2dibs said...

I did wonder where you disappeared off to.

I'm glad you had such a great weekend! I would LOVE to spend a weekend in Chicago, but I don't know the ins and outs of it so I am afraid I would wander around and do nothing instead of enjoying myself. Chris doesn't like crowds either...BUT maybe I can just mooch off of your scedule and convince Chris to take me...when we sell this darn house. :) It sounds like fun!

Anonymous said...

Have you visited Millennium Park? GREAT place for a picnic, and the kids would love to splash in the fountain. You have to see it to believe it. I'm glad you enjoyed your time in our fair city--and you had a great weekend for it!

Unknown said...

Katie, we have been to M Park. Loved it. It was you that first told me about it! And then we walked through there once, too, didn't we?? Neil and I went up to the Taste 2 or 3 years ago and we saw it then, too. I keep thinking how I would love to take them one summer day when it's nicer out so they could play in that face fountain thingie that's just way too cool :) And I know there's so much more about it that's so great. Yes, we definitely need to do that. :)

Michelle said...

Me again! :)

There are a few things I do miss about Chi town...the food being one of them!! We are planning to go back for sure next summer when my friend Emily gets married!

What a great idea to go and pick up CF food and have a picnic! Way easier with the kiddos too!! :) Heck, I HATE waiting so long to eat there, it's just not even nice to make them try and wait! Good, yummy thinking!

Alexis Jacobs said...

Welcome back!!! Glad you had a good, relaxing time.

Anonymous said...

sounds like an awesome weekend

hope Neils company was paying for the petrol

Cerella said...

I'm glad that you guys had a great time! I'm QUITE jealous about TCF though!

Jamie said...

Val, I wondered what was going on. Missed you! Glad you got to get away, what fun. Its so nice to do those spontanious things.

Welcome back! Now lets plan our get together haha.

Chel said...

What a crazy-fun weekend that sounds like! Good for all of you!

Corie said...

Sounds like y'all had a great weekend! Wish we could've met for lunch on Saturday, but next time! :)
Can't wait to see the Chicago pics!