{Chicago - Day 2}

On Saturday, we all went out for breakfast to The Original Pancake House. Josh and I had went there in Novemeber 2008 and loved it. Deinfately wanted to go again. After breakfast we went and did a little shopping. I was looking for a new top to wear that night to dinner and The Second City for a show. We went to several places. I have never really shopped in Forever 21 before but Erin always got cute clothes there and she said the one in Chicago was HUGE. And boy was it. It was like 4 floors. It was insane. I did eventually find several tops that I liked. Plus some cheap jewelry.

We finally ended up back at the hotel to get ready for the evening. We were going to dinner at The Grill on the Alley. It was the same place we had went when we were there in November with Josh's work. It was yummy.

Before we went to dinner, Rob and Erin came to our hotel to have a drink before dinner. Josh got me a Pomegranite Martini. It was good but really to strong for me. I couldn't believe it.

Dinner was fantastic. I had salmon again. I just love salmon when going out to eat because I can't make it right at home.
After dinner we headed to The Second City for an Impromptu show. This is the 2nd time I have been to Second City. It is hilarious. I just love it. It is a comedy place where they do many skits that are sooo funny. My cheeks always hurt after leaving because I have laughed so much.
By the time we got back to the hotel it was like 2am. It was so late and I was exhausted. ~Until next time for the last day...LOL

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{weekend in Chicago}

On Friday, I got out of work around 3:15pm, so Josh and I could head to Chicago for the weekend with Rob and Erin (they were already there). I could not have been more excited. Josh did not have to work so he dropped Ethan off at my parents house. Ethan stayed one night at my parents then on Saturday my friend Mindy picke dup Ethan to take him for the night. I love my family and friends, they are so good to me.
Anyways...heading to Chicago with our GPS...couldn't get there without it. We got in around 6:30pm and we had reservations at a very nice restaurant called Topolobampo. I was super excited to me going there since Rob and Erin had loved it the last time they went. We checked into your hotel (the Hyatt Regancy Chicago). It was really nice...and HUGE! It was funny because on the way to Chicago Erin had told me that they got upgraded on there room for Free. I was like no fair..I want an upgrade. When we checked in...that's what we got...YAY! Here is our room it was like a studio appartment. We thought it was hilarious that the room had a door bell. LOL It was funny when we saw Rob and Erin's room...we kept joking that it was the size of a closet. HA! It was a nice room tho. I had to start getting ready right when we got there because I knew it would take me a while to get my hair all done up.

The lighting was terrible in the hotel so these are NOT the best pictures...but hey it captures the moment. It was fun. We were off to Topolobampo for dinner. A very nice Mexican cuisine. Let me tell you it was fabulous. I had Salmon, and it was delicious. It was a very expensive meal for Josh and I, but we had a great experience along with it.
I am going to leave off here because it is super late and I have to work tomorrow. But the rest of the trip will be blogged later.
Stay tuned....

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{our weekend}

Every now and then Josh's sister, Erin and her husband Rob, want to do a kids swap. One night we watch their kids and the next night they will watch Ethan. It is really nice for both families. THe kids love it and the parenst get a night off. This was our Friday night watching Ayden and Kaiya. We played with the cars and the bike and the plasmacar. It was alot of fun. They didn't plan on staying the night but it got so late that they just ended up staying the night. This is the 2nd time we have done it and it is really nice to do. I also got 2 great pictures of my hubby. Isn't he a handsome guy. hehe Thanks for baring with me babe.


It was so cute...Kaiya traced Josh's body on the drive way with chalk and colored him in as to what he was wearing. She was super excited about it. Then Ayden posing for me. Love his eyes!!

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Rob and Erin :: Married

On Saturday, Erin (hubby's sister) was having a small ceremony to get married to the man of her dreams, Rob!! They are so perfect for each other, it is fantastic. I am so happy for both of them and their 4 kids. They deserve one another!! Here is a photo from that day, you can see the rest on my photography blog.
Are they gorgeous or what?

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a visit...

My brother and his family came to visit starting on the 27th of December and they stayed until New Years Eve. We had a great time. They live in Maryland so we do not get to see them that often. Once a year mostly. They stayed in our home this time. 5 extra people in our house was crazy busy. hehehe It was fun tho. More stories are coming....I know it has taken me a while to get this posted. Still going thru all the pictures I took while they were here. These pictures are of the cousins - Ethan, Maiya and Grayer. Ethan and Maiya are 2 yrs old and Grayer just turned 4 on Jan 5th. Can't believe he is 4 already. Happy Birthday Mr. Grayer!! I hope you have a wonderful birthday party!

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Sylas

I know these are long overdue, and I am really sorry. Here is your lil peek:

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Wii.....went to get a Christmas Tree

Today we went over to my parents house to celebrate my birthday. Yes I realize it was like 2 weeks ago, BUT my dad only has every other weekend off...so it was pushed til today. This picture above is our drive over to their house. Crazy huh?Ethan was really excited to be able to go in the snow and play. He couldn't wait til we got his gear on. And that sure does take a while with an anxious 2 year old. My parents have a very large yard with several little hills. We didn't have a sled for him to ride in so my dad got the trash can lid for him to go down the hill on...Worked great and Ethan loved it.After some sleding we decided to go cut down a Christmas tree for my parents. I don't recall the name of the place we went but we always go to the same place in Rockford to get the tree.Don't we look cold???? Ethan so did not want a picture at this time....he was throwing a fit, that's why he was on the ground.I love his lil red cheeks and nose...he had a great time looking all around the tree farm.We eventually found one, considering we all like different styles of trees. We got a FULL Figured sized tree. LOL This tree is very plump let me tell you. Josh and my dad had to carry it up a hill...I think it was pretty heavy. =)We returned home with the tree. We put Ethan down for a nap...he was cranky and tired let me tell you. Way past nap time. We had a great dinner. THANKS MOM!! And then we decided to play Wii. Oh how so much fun Wii bowling is!! I love it...I can whoop some booty in that game. My last game today I had 10 strikes and left open 2 frames. hehehe I was trying to get all strikes but that didn't work...maybe next time.

These are ghost pictures....weird huh. This is my mom, dad and Josh playing Wii. Don't be mad I put this on here mom!!! HEHEHEWe had a great time playing Wii. We played it all day on Thanksgiving as well!!

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2nd Birthday Party..

We had a great time at Ethan's birthday party on Saturday. There was lots of family and friends there to celebrate with us. It is late so I am not going to say much. The pictures will have to tell the story for now.

Okay I am back now....LOL
Ethan loves all his presents and Thanks everyone.

The lovely cake was made by Sweet Cakes Design LLC. She did a fantastic job. Totally will use her again! How adorable is this cake. I LOVE it!! I was soo excited when my mom brought it over...(the cake place is right down the road from my mom and on her way here she jsut stopped for me and got it.) I just love how it turned out. It was perfect...not to mention that it tasted fabulous!! Thanks so much Barb!! I appreciate it. You will definately get all my referrals!!

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HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY ETHAN!!

I can't believe my baby is 2 yrs old now. 2 Yrs ago today I becme a Mother. Something I have always wanted. ANd now I have this precious little boy to love. He is so special I can't even put it into words. I just love him so much. Never thought you could love someone so much.
That day was a tough day. The birth and leading up to his birth did not go as I had planned. None of it. Which is okay...because I had a healthy child.

This picture was just minutes after having him. I know I look horrible...but what do you expect, I just had a baby...LOL
I was so tired because I had not slept at all the night before. I had ethan at 5:05pm. And then labored the whole night before and that day...I was tired.




I love this picture of Ethan and Josh....such a special memory for me to see Josh holding him and so happy!


My sweet precious boy....so innocent.
What happened? hahaha he grew up!
But I am glad to be able to remember these moments.







I totally love this picture of him at 11 days old. I know his eyes look a little cross-eyed but I still think it is precious. The blanket he is on is one that my mom made out of that minky and has Pooh on the other side. It is soooo soft..I love it.


































Another sweet picture of him. I love looking back at all his baby pictures just to remember how small and sweet he was. I am glad that I have so many pictures to remember these precious days. (over 10,000 in his first year, rediculous I know)










This is Ethan at 2 months old. I totally love his smile. Just makes your heart melt.

He was always so bald. I loved it.

I love when he would grab his toes...just adorable.



He truely didn't like to sit in the grass at all...that's why he has that look. He was not happy...a second after this picture he was screaming. hehehe...Am I mean? He is 6 months old in this picture...=)

Then jumping to 12 months old....he looks like such a little man...crazy what 6 months can do!!












16 months old....growing so fast into a little man...by this time he had such a little personality...oh boy!!
I can't believe he is 2
years old. I had to throw in this silly picture because that is how he is most of the time...silly. He has grown leaps and bounds....talking so much...and clear as day...he amazes me everyday.









Like today...he gets up to the kitchen table...we have a pub style table...so I helped him....we put his Bumbo seat on the chair so he can reach....he says.."I'm hungry!" I said "Okay, What would you like to eat?" Clear as day he says, "I want some cereal." I was like...okay I will get your cereal...it was sooo cute. I will have to show you the picture of him at the table...it is cute..I am thinking the high chair is out now.















He is sooo darn cute. LOL...I know I always say that...but I am his mom I am allowed to.

I will post pictures from his party. It is on Saturday! Oh here is the invite...I thought it turned out cute!!

So after running down memory lane of his first 2 years of life....HAPPY BIRTHDAY ETHAN!!We love you lots!!

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