The Trip

Okay, so I possibly have avoided this post from anxiety of not knowing how to weed through all my pictures. 

I'm a freak, I know... I could never be a photographer cuz I get all uptight when HAVING to choose a select few from my huge amount of pictures. 

Whew, now that I got that outta the way, I guess its pretty obvious that out of my 450 pics I took during our trip, these are the FEW that I've picked to share with you.

For starters, to say we had a blast would have to be an understatement. It was just what the soul needed, some quality time with the husband, and my absolute best friend. Just doing things us girls do (and a really great husband who has just as much fun with us, as we have together)... Lots of laughing, lots of memories reminisced on and lots more made. LOTS of shopping, a few glasses of wine, and lots of time in the hot tub. 

Our whole purpose of the trip was because she graduated from nursing school... and its NOT something we wanted to miss!!! Although we live 1,300 miles apart, I feel like I've been on this journey with her... through the good and the bad, and I would have hated to miss celebrating the end with her!! The day of her graduation, we were at the school early so I snapped a few pics of her in her nursing outfit. 

To  say that I was fascinated with the absolute beauty that is Michigan would be an understatement.

Holy.Cow. 

Us poor, neglected, naive Texans. 

I could literally just stare at the nature all day long. I have several hundred scenery pics. 

Eeep... I felt like a proud mom, watching her daughter get pinned.

HA! 

Her family (who have been close, close friends with my family for about 26 years) came to town, so we had a lot of fun with them, catching up, and playing card games. ;) 

Ohhh... back to the scenery... the neighborhoods, the homes. Just breathtaking!! 

The trees.... I am slightly planning on going back up there in the spring/summer to see it in even more beauty when the leaves are back and its REALLY green,

After a few days in MI, we headed to Chicago for some fun. A few days in a hotel downtown, ON the magnificent mile (a mile of anything and everything shopping you could ever want!!!).... oh yes. Does the soul some goodness. 

This was our first stop in Indiana, where it was SNOWING. So ya, this was the jest of the snow that we saw. 

We made it to Chicago and our first stop was the Shedd Aquarium. 

A-MA-ZING!!!! It was a ginormous aquarium with so much neat stuff!! It was different to get to experience that type of thing with no kids. ;) Although, every time I saw a small child my heart skipped a beat, and ached for my babes to be there with me.

I also had my first REAL Chicago Dog. I'll admit, when we walked up to the hot dog stand, starving to death, the LAST thing that sounded good was a Hot Dog loaded with a buncha nasty stuff...

But, I tried it... cuz I HAD to, right?? You can't go to Chicago and NOT try a Chicago dog.

I was wrong, It was sooooo yummy!!! 

It was sooo chilly there. They don't call it "the windy city" for nothin. Oh, that wind was bittter!!! 

But, this was our first view of the Chicago sky line. So beautiful!!

SkyLine at night.

We were super excited to get to our hotel room and just chill!

We ordered a Chicago style pizza, and had it delivered to our hotel for dinner. We were all exhausted!!

The next day was our only full day in Chi, and we had a full list of sight seeing, and shopping! I wasn't sure if we would be able to fit everything in, but thanks to a few Taxi rides, we managed to complete the list!!

First stop was the SkyDeck... 

AKA The Sears (now Willis) tower. 

At 1450 ft,  Its the tallest building in the US

It was quite possibly the coolest thing ever... definitely one of those things that was on my imaginary bucket list.

Going up!

The observation deck was breathtaking to step out on. 

We then went to Millennium Park to see the "bean"

It was pretty awesome as well.

Then for some shopping.

Holy 2 story Target.

I had to go in... just to say that I did. 

we got some yummy popcorn form this place! Definitely a must do in Chi town.

After a LONG day of shopping, and really, super sore feet, we got dressed up and took a taxi to the Navy Pier.. 

Which was closed.... and as we were all pretty bummed about it, I think we were all equally relieved that we didn't have to walk that much more. ;)

Luckily, there was 1 restaurant open down there and we grabbed a bite to eat and took a taxi back to the hotel to get packed and read to fly out the next morning. 

We were ready to be home, and soo excited to see our babies!!

Were home!!

...And soaking up some sweet time with our babes, whom we missed so dearly. We took them out tonight to visit Santa, go look at Christmas lights, followed by Ice cream comes. It was wonderful!!!

T-minus 13 hours

Ohhh goodness!! We are officially under the 24 hour mark to leave for our trip!!! I've been so super excited about going.....

until last night as I washed one last load of my we little babies' clothing... and gently packed them away in their suitcases...

and I was all alone as they slept in their beds... and I sat in my chair.... Lord knows thats when the mind starts wondering.... and P.S. It it TOTALLY the wrong time of the month to be leaving them.

Okay, so I make it sound like I'm never seeing them again. That is not the  case... and I have to keep telling myself: 

we survived the trip to Key West without them. 

We survived the cruise without them.

I WILL survive this!

They're in good hands with their grandparents...

and mommy and daddy are going to be refreshed in our mommy and daddyness.

... and I'm super excited that when we get back, it will be full on Christmas time!!!

Fail

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING rips my heart into a million pieces more than to forgot my camera at a camera worthy event. 

Literally, I feel my heart drop a little.

Soooo, yep, I did it!!! and my phone camera wouldn't cut it!! 

Madelynn's class had a little part in the Cornerstone Christmas program this past week.... and guess what?? 

Well, really... is it that hard to figure out?? 

She did so good, and looked so beautiful in her little Christmas dress. To top it off, she sang our favorite Christmas song!!

Away in a Manger.

Well, excuse me as I lie to you. 

This is the only picture I got. 

Classy, right??

December?!?

Seriously, how is it December?? Totally snuck up on me!! I was NOT feeling the "Christmas spirit" this year like I usually do, and I honestly think it was cuz It literally snuck up!!  (It also could have been because its still 80* outside.... )

We've just been so busy with life and such, I wasn't ready.

No fear, Christmas Spirit has joined the Roses!! :)

We have another year of the little Christmas tree, and minimal decor. Seems to be an every other year type thing for us...  ;)

This year, as each year does, is more fun with the kids!!! We are getting all into the true meaning of Christmas... the kids are asking questions and its pretty exciting that they get it!!!

Miss Madelynn was dying to put the topper on.

Eggnog moustaches. 

We had a neat little Advent calendar we got last year so we were super excited about pulling it out this year!!! As we got our Christmas stuff out on Nov. 28, my poor, poor Madelynn had to wait 3 days to get it started!!! It was a looooonnnnggg 3 days for her!!!! Needless to say, it has been a hilight of our day since Dec. 1.

We also got a really neat treat from Uncle Karl and Aunt Crystal this year, a new present (book) each night till Christmas. So between the advent calendar, and a new book each night, we've lived for the nights... the kids are LOVING it!!

Oh, and can you take a wild guess at how many times we've watched Rudolph, and Frosty the snowman??