Getting this Blog going!!

Well---I have procrastinated as usual and it is now Sept 5th, 2011 and I really am going to start writing on this blog. I hate being a procrastinator and I also hate the fact that I am so technologically challenged that even this blog makes me nervous because I have no idea how to do anything (which is part of the reason why I haven't started updating this on a regular basis). Enough with the excuses! Even if it's not the "prettiest" blog with the most pics, etc at least I can write things down so I won't forget them. So...here goes!

This past weekend Dave and I spent the Labor Day weekend in Chicago to celebrate his 40th birthday and our 10 yr wedding anniversary. I actually surprised Dave with the trip and made the flight and hotel reservations on my own and then told him about it on his actual birthday in August. We had a blast and have really made a commitment to do this once a year because it was such a good thing for our marriage. We had 4 days of uninterrupted conversations, no schedule, sleeping in, eating out with the kids, etc! It was pure bliss! Don't get me wrong---we LOVE our kids more than life itself and missed them dearly but both of us realized that we needs time away to regroup and be better parents to our kids and spouses to eachother. The nice part of the weekend away was that we didn't make any set plans and we just enjoyed the time together and not having a schedule. We stayed downtown at the Hyatt Regency which was a great location--within walking distance to everything in the downtown area. We walked a ton! We went to Navy Pier one night and just sat on the lake and enjoyed the view. We took an architecture river tour which was awesome. We ate Giordono's pizza twice and indulged in Garrett's popcorn (after standing in line for an hour to get it!) We found a great restaraunt called Big Bowl that was fabulous Asian food and ate there twice as well! Dave and I are such creatures of habit! We watched the NU football game at Bennigan's on Sat afternoon as well. The majority of our time was spent walking around holding hands and just enjoying eachother's company! What a great city to do that it. We came back on Monday night (Labor Day) after our wonderful mom's had watched the kids all weekend (Janet had them Friday-Sunday and my mom had them Sunday-Monday) The kids were excited to see us and had a ball with their grandmas. We are so blessed that we have family that will help us so that we can get away for a long weekend. We are very grateful to both of them! Now we both feel a little more "recharged" and are anxious to get back into our routines with the kiddos! But we are definitely excited to plan another getaway for just the 2 of us again soon. Great memories!