girls in chicago

Back in June, my youngest sister graduated high school!! Hooray!

So to celebrate and congratulate her, my dad coordinated the first sisters trip - I say "first" because it's definitely not the last!

My wonderful in-laws watched my kiddos so I could go. They were so generous to do so, with their own crazy work and family schedules. I cannot say thank you enough for all of their help! So I said goodbye to the kids in CO and was Chicago bound!

 We all congregated in Chicago, where M&E live. They were SO nice to open up their home to us and make room for all of us and our stuff. They were fantastic hosts who showed us all around their city and were patient, generous, and entertaining! It may seem really simple and silly, but that homemade hot chocolate they shared with us was the best I've ever had. :) 

 We definitely got to experience some cool weather in the Windy City! M&E live within walking distance to this beautiful park right on the lake - how awesome!

 Lilacs were in FULL bloom when we were there. Oh my word, I could just drink in that smell! 

That's the new graduate on the left, and the newest sister to the family on the right! 

We did a really neat architecture tour of the city through a river boat. Learned a ton, and get to see some really cool sites of the city from the water! Definitely recommend this.

 The next day we shifted schedules around a little bit and did some exploring by foot of different parts of town. Included a little bit of shopping and eating at fun places, and we ended the day by going to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field!

 Sweet baby M was adored and loved by all - lucky girl that she was allowed to join us! :) She was such a champ through all the crazy schedules, an amazing baby!!

Awesome setting! 

 When we first got to the stadium there was a little ::ahem:: episode with gnats being attracted to my shirt. Seriously they would surround me wherever I went. Thankfully we had also done some shopping that day and someone had a new shirt in their bag that I was able to throw on top. Such a weird phenomenon! At one point I got to chat with my kids on the phone, and after the phone call I enjoyed watching a beautiful sunset from behind the stadium. 

A trip to Chicago would not be complete without visiting the Fish Bar! It's an awesome seafood restaurant that my sister works at and will soon become the manager at. 

Such a fun place - and they gave us the red-carpet treatment! M knew exactly what to order all of us, and got us an assortment of amazingly delicious plates. 

 We ate inside because it was a bit muggy outside, but their patio was so cute. :)

 And of course we made time to adore the baby. :)

 And yes, we all even tried the octopus! Even K, who was very hesitant at first. Check that one off the bucket list, right K?

Wow that food was really good!

 Finally we hit up the Art Institute which was a must for the creative-minded ones in the family (which definitely does not include me, but I was happy to enjoy the ride with those who know more and can appreciate it to a much higher degree). 

I loved reading all the plaques that gave more information about the artist or particular painting. This quote spoke to me - Monet being so obsessed with his work that although he knew his abilities were limited to capture it in the truest sense he had to continue trying. Continually hoping that "something will emerge" that will not render all his effort in vain. Made me contemplate motherhood and the endless attempts I make at hoping to make a difference, knowing full well that I am an imperfect person who cannot do the responsibility justice. And yet I can only continue trying to accomplish the tasks given me, and hope that someday "something will emerge" that will deem my attempt worthy of its purpose. 

I know I'm mixing up days the order of it all, but we also had fun eating at new little restaurants wherever we wanted. Oh the luxury of being able to just wing it and figure it out as you go! No need to plan ahead for naps or worry about meal times ... well, we did have to keep food a priority to some degree with two pregnant and one nursing mommas! But there was definitely a sense of freedom that was refreshing!

We enjoyed a fun music in the park deal right in the heart of the city, and of course took goofy pictures around "the bean" that is so iconic to the Windy City. For some reason I feel like I am missing a ton of pictures! We became well accustomed to multiple modes of transportation, from getting the private SUV kind of taxis so we could all ride together, to the bus, to walking, and to riding the rail. So grateful that M&E knew their way around! And we even threw a little surprise gift-giving shower for the recent graduate to celebrate her going off to college and living on her own. Hopefully we all gave her some goodies that will be useful in the next phase of life! So proud of her and grateful that we could all get together to shower her with love. 

It was definitely a short trip, but a perfect chance to be all together with these beautiful women and feel of their goodness. What an amazing family I belong to! Thank you M&E for opening up your home and helping us explore Chicago with you!

And thank you to my wonderful in-laws for watching my two little ones. I knew they were in good hands the entire time and didn't worry about them at all. Of course I missed them like crazy ... sometimes it's so easy to allow myself to blend my identity into the sole role of mothering. This was such a refreshing trip to feel rejuvenated for that parenting job and feel excitement about the upcoming summer days to spend together. Thankfully the timing all worked out to meet G&C at the Denver airport, and then to fly straight home with my kids. It melted my heart to see how excited they were to see me, and I loved wrapping my arms around them! Wonderful, wonderful time.