We are back from Chicago/New York! I am happy to be back but so happy I was able to go. Chicago is a city I've always wanted to go to. Bryan spoke at a conference there and Grandma Garner was able to come watch Lucas and Ty for us. I was so nervous about leaving Ty but he did great, all my panic attacks late at night were for nothing. Maybe I just like to have something to worry about? Anyway, Chicago is a beautiful city. I knew it was famous for it's architecture but I just didn't realize how many beautiful buildings there were.
On day one we woke up, switched hotels (JetBlue paid for the first one, then we transferred to the conference hotel which was the Marriott in downtown Chicago). Then Bryan walked me to the car rental and I rented a car to go see LeShel. I drove out of Chicago all by myself, with the help of a GPS, only took one wrong turn (yes, I did even with the GPS), and made it to LeShel's home in Kenosha Wisconsin. It was so great to see her and her new baby. As I drove away I got very sad. I realized how much I miss her and it's not fair that I don't get to watch her new baby grow up. It was so nice to visit and catch up, it was like she had only moved the day before, and not eight months ago.
I got back to Chicago, returned the rental car without a scratch, and went back to the hotel to meet Bryan. We searched the city for a Bulls shirt for Lucas (hard to find in the off season) and finally found one right by our hotel. We got Ty a Cubs t-shirt, Bryan a Cubs hat, and I got a charm for my bracelet. That night we went to Pizzeria Uno, the original Chicago deep dish, and had pizza. It was good, different, but good.
Day two in Chicago I went and listened to Bryan's presentation because I've never had the chance to before. He does a great job. He is a great speaker, which is why they keep asking him to speak! Afterward we did some more walking and shopping. I went into the American Girl store and wished they'd been around when I was a little girl. We did lots of shopping and lots of walking so we were tired by the afternoon. Humidity is really something. It was just like Toronto.
That night we went on a boat ride down the river and then up to Lake Michigan. It was a great way to see the city. We loved going through the lock to get to the lake. It was interesting to hear the story of the river and why they have a lock in the first place. It's too long to go into here but it was fun to learn the history.
We had so much fun being together and knowing the boys were doing great with grandma. I loved Chicago. It is a fun city to visit. The next morning we got up early, 3 for me because I couldn't sleep, 4 for Bryan. We headed to New York. I didn't feel so well from the lack of sleep and the fact that the flight home was going to be close. There were only three seats open with over 20 standbys. AHHHHH! Flying in June as a standby is not the smartest thing to do. But it's free! Luckily I had a super pass which means I would be first or second on the list. I was sick all day because of the stress but we went into the city to have some fun.
It was so funny because New York has closed some of the streets around Time Square. They put out lawn chairs and people just sit and relax. It looks a little odd but not a bad idea. As we were walking we saw Hoda Kotb from NBC. She must have just finished working and was heading out. Also, back in Chicago we saw Devon Hester (Plays football for the Chicago Bears) making a commercial at The Sports Authority. Anyway, we ate lunch, and figured out where the subway was for when we were done with our show.
Then the highlight of our trip!!!! Wicked!!!! Although we were stressed about me getting home--it was great. I want to see it again. Bryan has informed me that he just might do that when he goes to New York for business. It was so much fun. Thank you Bryan for suggesting the early flight to New York so that we could have that experience. I can finally say I've seen a show on Broadway. It's about time considering I'm married to a man who works for JetBlue. Amazingly it was cheaper for us to see it in New York than it would have been if we'd gone when it was here in Salt Lake. Of course that's because we fly for free and didn't have to pay for a hotel. Obviously, I got on the flight home that night, I even got to sit by Bryan which is pretty amazing considering the flight was full. Thank you to Grandma Garner for taking such good care of Lucas and Ty. We had so much fun and are so grateful we get the chance to go away together every few years. I can't wait until the boys are old enough to go to some of these cities with us!
Last Saturday we had the chance to go watch a BYU practice/scrimmage. We belong to Cougar Club and the Salt Lake County members were invited to watch from the President's box. None of us had been in there before and it was lots of fun.
Lucas' favorite part was the pop they had for us. He got bored watching them practice but then enjoyed the scrimmage.
A week or so ago Scott and Brian came down for a Salt Lake Real soccer game. They took Bryan and Lucas and they all had a great time.
Lucas loves Uncle Scott and Uncle Brian, and now he loves soccer also.
It makes me happy to see them have a good time. Real even won the game, 1 to 0.
Thursday Lucas, Ty, and myself went to the park for lunch and some fun with friends. Lucas played and played on the toys and in the splash park. Ty kept close to me and ate lots of Cheetos and Nutter Butters.
I got to visit with my friends Adi and Cristy. Our goal is to get together once a month but it usually takes us three months to find a day when we are all free for a few hours. That sounds so silly but life is just too busy sometimes.
We always do find the time eventually to get together and I'm grateful for that. Yesterday, as I was thinking of my day I realized how grateful I am for such wonderful women in my life. I have only known these friends for five years and yet, I feel like we are life long friends. I know that is a precious thing and it doesn't always happen that way or so fast, at least not for me. I am so grateful to them (LeShel is included in all of this of course, and yes we missed you tons) and to all of you out there who have been my friend (including my sisters). I'm grateful for blogs and that one Christmas card a year. It makes me feel a part of your lives even when we all live all over the country. I'm grateful for life long friendship.
Ty is so cute right now. He loves to get out all my pots and he stands on anything he can.
He doesn't talk yet but can say mama. When we tell him no his reply is usually to scream or cry. He falls down a lot but gets right back up and continues to do whatever he was doing before he fell. It has been a lot of fun watching him grow this summer.
Friday we met Uncle Scott, Uncle Ben, and Uncle Kevin and his family at Lagoon. Lucas has never been and so he had a great time. He loved being with his uncles and wanted to do everything with them.
We got Lucas to go on the Colossus roller coaster but not Wicked. He loved the bumper cars so much that they did them twice.
It was great to be with family and to have fun. Kellie had Ty while we were gone and it made things so much easier. Thanks Kellie!
Here is Ty with his shaggy hair. We loved it because it was curly in the back and it was just so cute. BUT, it was time to get it cut. He is not a girl and it was getting long. I didn't want to cut it. I messed up Lucas' hair enough times that the most I would do for Ty is trim it a little around his ears and on top. Aunt Diana had given him a trim also but today was the day for his first real hair cut.
Doesn't he look so big and cute! We went to the local Great Clips and the lady did a good job. He sat on my lap and cried the whole time. Once in a while he would try to get away but he did okay for his first time.
We are back from Chicago/New York! I am happy to be back but so happy I was able to go. Chicago is a city I've always wanted to go to. Bryan spoke at a conference there and Grandma Garner was able to come watch Lucas and Ty for us. I was so nervous about leaving Ty but he did great, all my panic attacks late at night were for nothing. Maybe I just like to have something to worry about? Anyway, Chicago is a beautiful city. I knew it was famous for it's architecture but I just didn't realize how many beautiful buildings there were.
On day one we woke up, switched hotels (JetBlue paid for the first one, then we transferred to the conference hotel which was the Marriott in downtown Chicago). Then Bryan walked me to the car rental and I rented a car to go see LeShel. I drove out of Chicago all by myself, with the help of a GPS, only took one wrong turn (yes, I did even with the GPS), and made it to LeShel's home in Kenosha Wisconsin. It was so great to see her and her new baby. As I drove away I got very sad. I realized how much I miss her and it's not fair that I don't get to watch her new baby grow up. It was so nice to visit and catch up, it was like she had only moved the day before, and not eight months ago.
I got back to Chicago, returned the rental car without a scratch, and went back to the hotel to meet Bryan. We searched the city for a Bulls shirt for Lucas (hard to find in the off season) and finally found one right by our hotel. We got Ty a Cubs t-shirt, Bryan a Cubs hat, and I got a charm for my bracelet. That night we went to Pizzeria Uno, the original Chicago deep dish, and had pizza. It was good, different, but good.
Day two in Chicago I went and listened to Bryan's presentation because I've never had the chance to before. He does a great job. He is a great speaker, which is why they keep asking him to speak! Afterward we did some more walking and shopping. I went into the American Girl store and wished they'd been around when I was a little girl. We did lots of shopping and lots of walking so we were tired by the afternoon. Humidity is really something. It was just like Toronto.
That night we went on a boat ride down the river and then up to Lake Michigan. It was a great way to see the city. We loved going through the lock to get to the lake. It was interesting to hear the story of the river and why they have a lock in the first place. It's too long to go into here but it was fun to learn the history.
We had so much fun being together and knowing the boys were doing great with grandma. I loved Chicago. It is a fun city to visit. The next morning we got up early, 3 for me because I couldn't sleep, 4 for Bryan. We headed to New York. I didn't feel so well from the lack of sleep and the fact that the flight home was going to be close. There were only three seats open with over 20 standbys. AHHHHH! Flying in June as a standby is not the smartest thing to do. But it's free! Luckily I had a super pass which means I would be first or second on the list. I was sick all day because of the stress but we went into the city to have some fun.
It was so funny because New York has closed some of the streets around Time Square. They put out lawn chairs and people just sit and relax. It looks a little odd but not a bad idea. As we were walking we saw Hoda Kotb from NBC. She must have just finished working and was heading out. Also, back in Chicago we saw Devon Hester (Plays football for the Chicago Bears) making a commercial at The Sports Authority. Anyway, we ate lunch, and figured out where the subway was for when we were done with our show.
Then the highlight of our trip!!!! Wicked!!!! Although we were stressed about me getting home--it was great. I want to see it again. Bryan has informed me that he just might do that when he goes to New York for business. It was so much fun. Thank you Bryan for suggesting the early flight to New York so that we could have that experience. I can finally say I've seen a show on Broadway. It's about time considering I'm married to a man who works for JetBlue. Amazingly it was cheaper for us to see it in New York than it would have been if we'd gone when it was here in Salt Lake. Of course that's because we fly for free and didn't have to pay for a hotel. Obviously, I got on the flight home that night, I even got to sit by Bryan which is pretty amazing considering the flight was full. Thank you to Grandma Garner for taking such good care of Lucas and Ty. We had so much fun and are so grateful we get the chance to go away together every few years. I can't wait until the boys are old enough to go to some of these cities with us!
