Sunday, September 5, 2010

Exploring Chicago

The last two days that we were in Chicago we stayed with some friends of Kim and Evan. Matt and Jessica were the best hosts you could imagine. They live right outside the city and they couldn't have been nicer. They cooked dinner for us each night and woke up early to make us breakfast before out flight home. Matt helped us navigate the city by mapping out where we should go and which bus, train and road we should take the night before. We were able to wonder all around Chicago with out getting lost. We went to all the free places we could think of which included the Chicago History Museum and the Lincoln Park Zoo. I don't remember the last time I went any where like that with out a group of kids in matching red t-shirts. It was kind of fun to go as adults!! : )
Of course Josh wanted to check out the reptile exhibit... he was loving it!

"Hey Everybody... Harry Carey Here!!"

One of my favorite things we saw, the huge Weber Grill out side the Weber Grill Restaurant. Everything is cooked on Weber Grills here. The traditional Weber Grill is all my dad and grandpa used so it holds a special place in my heart! : )


Across from Hotel 71 is the Trump building. As fans of The Apprentice and of course the DT himself... we decided we wanted to go and check it out. It's a beautiful building with hotel rooms and condos. There are door men there that carry your bags for you wearing white gloves. We tried to blend in just a little bit and went up to check out the view from the lounge. It was a great view of Navy Pier and we could see a clear view of Hotel 71's penthouse where we were the night before for the reception. Drinks were a little pricey so we didn't stay but it was fun to pretend we belonged there for just a few minutes.





We had an awesome time in Chicago and we can't wait to go back... who knows when that will be but still!! : )

The Wedding

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Saturday, September 4, 2010

Hot Chocolate

Jackson had found this little restaurant on another Chicago trip and just had to take us there. It was super delicious! The menu had everything from gourmet hamburgers to fancy Macaroni and cheese. The food was excellent and so was the hot chocolate!!



Homemade marshmallows... soooo good!

Room with a view

This is the view from the room where we all stayed.


Looking down from 34 floors up.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Chicago Adventures part I


Jackson and Melissa are officially our wedding/travel buddies. We have flown to at least 3 different weddings together and been to many local weddings together as well. Being travel buddies actually makes the weddings more fun and memorable plus even though we live like 10 minutes from each other we hardly see each other because life is so busy so it gives us a chance to hang out. We have one more wedding coming up in September and of course we are going together!! : )
We stayed together at Hotel 71 (thank you Kimberly and Evan) which is were the wedding reception actually took place. We had a beautiful room and the hotel location could not have been better. We were able to walk just about everywhere we wanted to go.


We all arrived on Wednesday night and didn't really have anything we had to do until Friday. On Thursday we made a day of it and did all the wonderful Chicago things we could. We started with shopping on Michigan Avenue followed by Chicago style pizza... Delicious as always!!


Next we wondered over to see the "Bean." It's a giant bean shaped mirror in which you can catch your reflection as well as a reflection of the city.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Kimberly and Evan's Rehearsal Dinner

Josh and I were in Chicago last week with Jackson and Melissa for Evan and Kim's wedding! We had an amazing week and there are more pictures to come but for now, I have posted some pictures and video from the Rehearsal dinner. I have been to many Rehearsal Dinners but this one was by far the most beautiful. Kimberly and Evan have waited along time for this day and we have been waiting as well. Kimberly and her siblings all play the violin and they are amazing! Her Grandparents traveled all the way from Taiwan to be at the wedding so they took this opportunity to play for them. It was incredible. I think the last time I heard Kim play was at my own wedding. They totally brought many of us to tears... watch and see!!
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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Reunion

Barbara had all of us "San Dimas" Friends over for dinner the other night. It was so great to get together. It means so much that even though things have changed we can all still remain friends. We had such a special thing at our little school and I am so glad we can keep it alive!!

As always Sean made a delicious dessert!!!! : )

One Last Stop



Before heading home from San Diego we stopped at Aunt Nancy and Uncle Jon's house one more time. We had dinner and played our favorite domino game... Mexican Train! We always have so much fun when we are together. Buddy and Boo were so tired that they slept the entire time we were there. Well, first they had to check out the whole house and sniff all the places Mini had been but then they slept the whole time! It was such a great weekend spent with family and friends! We are so blessed!!! : )

Little Italy Day Part 2

After a lovely morning at Be Beauty and a pizza dinner with Aunt Nancy and Uncle Jon, we Finally got to go and see where Tara and Ian live. They live right near the water in Point Loma area and they have this fantastic little walking path that goes right along the shore. We took all the doggies for a nice Long evening stole. We can totally see why they enjoy living where they do! ; ) After our walk we headed back over to Little Italy for some late night self serve fro yo!!!! YUMM! Oh, and yes the dogs came to that too!!



The doggies had so much fun on our SD trip that they fell asleep as soon as they got in the car.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Be Beauty

On Saturday we all met up in Little Italy at Be Beauty. Josh, Brandon, Ian and Benjamin all wondered around the city and visited Ian's office while Jamie and I met up with Tara for a wonderful morning at Be Beauty. Tara and her friend Ju Ju opened an amazing little Spa just a year or so ago in Little Italy. I had been to see it during their wedding but I hadn't had a chance to experience any of their services. Jamie and I both got our toes done and I got my nails done. They have this amazing shellac nail polish that goes on thinker than regular nail polish and doesn't chip for at least 14 days. I was super excited to try it and it really was amazing! I got it on on Saturday morning and wore it all the way until the following Saturday when it looked just as good for a wedding in Chicago. The only reason I finally had to take it off was because it was growing out, it never did chip! The Spa is amazing and they also have an adorable boutique with cute dresses, bags, hair clips and jewelry. They just opened up an amazing out door gift shop as well with more home decor. If you are ever in the San Diego area you should really stop by because it's just Fabulous!!!!

http://www.bebeautifully.com/


Jamie and I felt so good after our morning at the spa!

Jamie and Benjamin walking down the street right in front of Be Beauty, what a beautiful location!

Dog Friendly



Emily and Alan graciously opened their home to Josh and I as well as Buddy and Boo. It was so much fun getting to stay with them and be able to spend sometime together. Emily and Alan have a little dog named Corby so one night we took all three dogs out for dinner. They found this funny little BBQ restaurant that is actually dog friendly. There is an indoor area for people with no dogs but the outside patio is seating for people and dogs alike. The BBQ food was delicious but not only that, the owner would bring around fresh bones for each dog to chew on while their people ate. It was a really fun and really strange experience eating out with our dogs.





Buddy had never experienced something so wonderful!!! : )



Boo on the other had was a little traumatized by the 4 German Shepherds sitting at the next table, they were sweet dogs but to Boo, they were GIANTS!! She was so freaked out in fact that she chewed threw her leash twice while no one was looking.

Thank you Emily, Alan and Corby for being such wonderful hosts. We had so much fun at your house and can't wait to see you again soon!

Balboa Park

Two weeks ago we spent the weekend in San Diego visiting family and friends. On Friday we met Brandon, Jamie and Ben at Balboa park for lunch at the beautiful and delicious Prado Restaurant. This is where Ian and Tara got married and Josh and I got equally as lost during this trip as we did during the wedding. It is a beautiful place but if you don't know exactly where you are going it's very confusing. We have decided that next time we go, someone else is driving!! : )


Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Arroyo Grande Visit

After my Grandma spent the week at our house she rode with us to my parents house for the weekend. My my hosted a fabulous Beauty Society Party for me and it was a big success!!

We got to see Christine, Jason and Josiah as well as meet Baby Annette. She was so sweet and just loved to snuggle.

Seriously, I didn't want to let her go!!

Josiah is soooo cute, he has the blondest hair and a very sweet and friendly personality. It was so great to catch up with this sweet family, as always!!

While we were in town we also got went to see Matt and Erik in their final show on the central coast. They are moving the company to San Diego in the fall. This was Kelrick Productions 100th show and it was a very special night. It was called "Into the Woods" which none of us had ever seen before. It was a combination of hilarious and totally emotional at the same time. It was a great show and we enjoyed spending time with Matt and Erik after the show!! : )