Because I love Friends

We have been so blessed by such good friends while we've been here.  I am so grateful for the many friendships we share and for the special parts they played at various points in our lives. I am quite certain that each of our relationships changed me for the better and kept me sane and happy throughout the last couple years. It's hard to believe that it's already time to close this chapter and start a new one, but we're excited and we had a great time celebrating our new beginnings with dear friends and good times.  I drove with Alan and all our belongings on Friday night, May 4, and arrived in Charlotte Saturday morning. (Pics to come) I came back and started my Psych rotation on Monday, and will head back out to live at the end of my rotation. Details on the move later.... First, We Party!...

 I can't believe he wasn't even born yet when we  came here...Now look at him!

 Logan really just likes the ketchup...

 Isn't she just beautiful?! Cora Curtis... so cute.

 He's just too much!! I miss his hugs already!

 Aaw... the grill master and his queen. They threw us this great bbq bash, and it was full of all things N Carolina... SO fun!

And THEN, because eating is what we do best, we all went out one last time the night before Alan and I took off to Charlotte. We got a little emotional saying good bye, but thankfully I am still here for a few weeks before I re-join my man, so my waterworks were under control.  We sure love our peeps.

 Haaha...Babies can't eat friiiies! Or CAN they?

 YAY! Amy kept her eyes open:) Awww---my ladies!

 Too funny.

 I am sure gonna miss this... 

More Food?

Probably one of my all time favorite things to do ANYwhere is to try out new Food. Chicago is definitely a food-lover kinda place to be. We always have such a blast trying out new places, and a few weekends ago was no exception. We went out with our friends, the Diestlers, to this fantastic little pizza place in the city and had an incredible meal! Amy and Alex always take us to the coolest places and the food never disappoints. They served mediterranean bread that could serve an army, great salad, and the cutest pizza pies ever. It was delish! The proof? Well, I am carrying it around my midsection right now... but here are some pics of the fun.

French is Fun

Before Alan left, lots of great things went on in our lives...One of which was a culinary experience to remember always. Thanks to Groupon, we got in touch with the chefs within and took a 4 hour french pastry making class in the bustling city of Chicago... I am so glad we got to do so much in this amazing city before we left. We had so much fun learning to make eclairs, napoleans, macaroons, and some absolutely delicious chocolate ganache. Alan and I had such a blast and definitely took home our fair share of that magical goodness. Check us out!

Family, Food, FUN...

Luis and Rachelle brought the boys up and spent a quick weekend with us and it was far too short, but so fun! They came up on Sunday and we had a chance to just talk for a while. The boys loved our Planet Earth series, which worked out well for us because I was loving getting to chat.  We went to the Shedd Aquarium and had a blast, and also went for pizza. How can you not?! I seriously love their little family and loved getting to spend some time with them, no matter how short. Rachelle and I even got a nice little walk on Michigan Ave, while retrieving some Garrett's popcorn; Well deserved girl time, while the boys were taken for a fun trip to Fry's. Oh, the little boys went too... Rachelle and I hit up JoAnn's fabrics because she is a rockstar and getting really great at quilting. (Rachelle, I mean. Although I am sure JoAnn is good, too.) We then stayed up late chatting as" only us Wegers" know how! Ha. We had such a great time and hope to see them again soon. I swear I go through withdrawals every time they leave. Here's a mess load of pictures that get me through those tough times! Enjoy... 

 Jackson was being so funny. I was in the other room and when I came out, look at what he had done so silently in the kitchen! He wanted a better runway for his planes on our dining room table and seriously did not make a sound moving all the chairs into the kitchen. So cute. 

 Monday we took our favorite little peeps out for some Chicago dogs, and the world's best crinkle cut fries! I finally caught a rare Jacob smile... What a stud. HE was flirting with a table of girls across the way--looks like trouble.

 Maybe I am an awful person, but this was HILARIOUS...Jackson smacked his head super hard against the glass. Talk about an up close experience with the beluga whales!

 Seriously the cutest brothers ever! I especially like how Jacob had to get right down on the floor to see the fish at the very bottom of the tank.

 Awwww. Penguin Playground. Aren't they soo cute?!

 Of course it would be foggy and rainy the weekend they decide to come... Maybe when I get around to editing photos, I'll just photoshop a nice pic of the city behind them:)

 I love his cute face... That lollipop never had a chance... And check out the gulls that flocked around us when I gave the boys some bread to throw for the duck... It was waaay better than when we went to feed the ducks at the pond. Kinda scary too.. Those gulls are crazy.

3 years strong

Yesterday was a good day. No, a great day. Alan and I both took off work (shhh), and had so much fun together! We had a great workout in the morning, cleaned the house, and then we went to lunch at one of our fave spots... Labriola. Good things happen at Labriola:) For example: He gave me an incredible gift. (See below) and we had the most divine Napolean dessert. They have amazing gelato...

Perfect combination. Alan's 'graph' card and 'my' wrapping paper! Perfectly Us.

Told you.. Amazing gift.

Yummy lunch

I gave Alan the gift of golfing, but it was too windy, so our golf game had to be postponed for a later date. He was/is excited. We went out for a few more hours and walked around shops in town, just soaking in the time we had together before dinner at our absolute favorite restaraunt... Chama Gaucha (a Brazilian steakhouse that knocks the socks off of all the others!)

Amazing restaurant. That's a salad bar...

At dinner, we got to chat and eat--possibly my two favorite activities, and the staff brought us anything we requested. I requested a lot of lamb with mint jelly. Aaaaah, heaven. They even brought us a gorgeous dessert with "Happy Anniversary" written on the plate. We truly enjoyed our dinner. Too bad we couldn't enjoy all the lovely liqour they brought out for us:)

Mom sent us a package with some really beautiful gifts. Isn't she amazing?! Look at those adorable towels!

At the end of the day, I couldn't be more grateful for the marriage we share. I don't deserve the kindness and love Alan shows me day after day and I love how much fun we have together, no matter what we are doing. We ended our night dancing to our song (Everything by Michael Buble).We danced away together just like we did 3 years ago, and we'll keep on dancing through life for years to come. Happy anniversary to Us!

Time ticks on...

I thought I was being pretty clever with that title! I came home from work the other night and this is what I saw...

Alan made me a mini Easter egg hunt!

I made a dollar fifty in quarters!

And at the end of the hunt, this is what I received:

Isn't he sweet?! I have been using those $8 watches from Target all through school, and we have been looking for a nicer watch for me, but I didn't know he knew my taste so well:) I really love it. It has a nice sparkle around the face that goes well with my ring, and rose gold to add a splash of me. Now I can tell time in style! Thank you Alan for being so thoughtful... What a great week this is turning out to be!

Side Note: For those of you who read The Love Languages book... I am not a "gift" person, but I think I could change:)