Getting Lucky

Meet Lucky. He is a little ball of white fluff with a black smudge on his head that just happened to find his way into our home. We rescued him from Petsmart after the ladies working there told us that if he wasn't adopted soon, he would be put to sleep. Tom came into the store and Lauryn shed tears. Lucky got to come home with us after we returned from Chicago.

Lauryn's Chicago

After I finished the last blog entry, I realized that Lauryn probably would have added several stories to our Chicago blog. So, in order to provide a more complete entry, Lauryn will be blogging...

When we first got there, we had to take a cab which felt like forever. When we got to the hotel, I was amazed by the mall that was in the hotel. When we got into our room, I felt like I was going to faint. I put my doll down and realized "I am so gonna get another American Girl doll." My mom and dad just didn't know it.

So, 20 minutes later, we went out into the streets of Chicago. My mom and dad decided we should go to Gino's East for pizza and then we had to wait 30 minutes outside and then we finally got in. And when I saw the picture of Michael Jackson, I thought it was so disgusting. Then I saw the picture of the Black Eyed Peas. I really, really wanted to scream. I asked my mom and dad to ask the waiter if we could sit where the Black Eyed Peas sat. They said "no, we can't ask that." But my dad was the lucky one! He got to sit - drum roll, please - where MICHAEL JORDAN sat! When we sat down, the waiter came and said that it was a 45 minute wait for the deep dish pizza. I was like "ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh." But not out loud, in public. Ten minutes later, my dad said he felt like his chair was with sweat. And then I said the same thing. I really, really couldn't wait for anything. I asked if the pizza was going to be really good. They said "of course, it is the best pizza ever." When the pizza got there, I was so excited but unh, unh. I tried the pizza and then I said "umm, delish!" After two more bites, I felt like I was going to throw up because it was so disgusting because it was so, so thick.

But what can the American Girl store do to heal that? A new American Girl, of course! So we went up on the elevator to the top floor to get Bailey's hair done but then, Daddy said: "Just go ahead and let her get another American Girl doll." And I heard, but I wasn't supposed to hear that. But I heard anyway. I was like "please, please, please, please." And Daddy was like "go downstairs before they run out of them." I was like "come on, come on, let's go before that happens! I really want Elizabeth so badly." And then, we got her! I was so excited!!!

We also got to explore the store later. I was so excited to actually get Elizabeth and I couldn't stop saying thank you. After that store, I really didn't want to leave. But we had to so we could go to Mommy's shoe store before it closes. We found 3 elevators and I was like please let us go on all of them and they said we had to and I was like "yay." And then we went back to our hotel to go to sleep.

One morning later, we went to the zoo and I realized my feet had three blisters on them. I was like "Mom, do you know what this is from?" She said no and I said I think it is from my shoes because they did hurt me yesterday. I asked her if I could wear my different shoes. She said no, you will be okay for today. So, we are at the zoo and saw the sea lions. They were so cute!!! We went down underground to find some air conditioning and see them better. I was like "okay, I am freezing." So, we went outside and I found a carousel. I asked if we could go on that and then we went to go see the lions because my mom and dad didn't want to go on it.

But then, Uncle Adam and Aunt Sam came! I really, really, really, wanted to run up on Aunt Sam but I couldn't. I love her so much and Uncle Adam. But I knew that I could run up to him. So, I went to them and asked them if one of them could go on the carousel with me but before that I gave them hugs and kisses. We went on the carousel and it was so hot but my favorite part was the polars.

I was like "can we please go, can we please go?" and then we finally went. It was so cute! It went right up by me when it was swimming in the water. It was so up close!!!

I was so excited when we got to go to Sears Tower. We saw lots and lots of things that will take you 103 stories up. Then the elevator took you all the way up to the top so you could see the entire city. I was sort of scared, but barely.


We went to dinner at Bandera and I didn't like the mac and cheese so the waitress brought me grilled cheese. She was so nice! And then we went back to the hotel and wait til you hear the funnest part! We got to see a scene from - another drum roll, please - TRANSFORMERS 3. I almost got to be on the news in the audience. Well, frankly, I don't know if I was...

The next day, we went to another hotel. I knew it was pretty but nope, nope, nope. I had to be stuck in the weirdest hotel ever. But the cool part was it was built in 1913, the year after the Titanic sank. Any way, at least this one had a pool that we swam in that night. We went to the Cubs game with Uncle Adam, Aunt Sam, and Aunt JenJen. I was so sweaty by the time the game was over. I had a huge meal for snack at night because I slept through dinner - another grilled cheese and some apples. It was a huge grilled cheese!

A day later, we went to another hotel down by the airport. I really liked that hotel. Baby shower time! We went to the baby shower at the place that Uncle Adam and Aunt Sam had their wedding reception. The first game we played was "Guess how many kisses were in the jar." I think there were 125 in there. My guess was 92 and Mommy's guess was 72. Not even close. JenJen let me give the prizes out. The next game that we played was "How many inches is Aunt Sam's belly." I guessed 32 but it was 36. I guessed that but I kept erasing the choices because I didn't think that was right. Mommy and one of Aunt Sam's cousin won! Then it was present time! I helped JenJen hand out the presents to Aunt Sam.

Then we went home to Aunt Sam's parents' house. I got to see Bear, the cutest lookin' dog ever. There was another dog, named Shag and 2 cats. I forgot their names, though. We had so much fun there - we played Bear bag toss and ladder ball. When we left I was so sad that I cried in the car but my mom and dad didn't know.

We turned in the grandpa car and got ready to come home. The best part of coming home was getting my kitten!!! But I was still really sad.

Two-timing Beantown with the Windy City

I love Boston. Ask anyone and they will tell you that it is my favorite city in the entire world. I love the history, skyscrapers that could touch the clouds, the hustle and bustle, the easy to master public transportation system, the people, and the food just to name a few. Now that we have spent some time in the downtown area of Chicago, I have a new found love for the city because it has a lot in common with my beloved Boston.

History - check. Great Fire, anyone? Only a few buildings survived and those buildings are dwarfed by the neighboring Hancock Building.

And don't forget Wrigley. Amazing but still nothing on Fenway...

Tall buildings - check. The Sears Tower is taller than any building I have ever been in. From the SkyDeck, the city looks like a Legoland scene.

Adding to the drama is the new ledges that you can stand on as if you are floating on air.

You can maneuver the entire city using only public transportation. We took the "L" to Wrigley and back, buses to the zoo, Sears Tower, and the list goes on.

The food is amazing. Different than Boston, but fantastic all the same. Gino's East required a wait of 45 minutes but well worth it for a deep dish pizza, Portillo's is crazy crowded but nothing makes me feel like being in Chicago with Sam than a Portillo's hot dog. Carson's is a bit nostalgic for Tom and Adam and now has a new meaning for me. While we were there, I was able to meet up with a friend from high school that now lives in Chicago. So nice to see Jenny after all of this time!

And the people to love, Chicago has that, too. Namely, Sam's family. That is the reason, after all, that we made the trip to Chicago this summer. We saw Sam and Adam during our trip to the zoo and at the Cubs game with Jen.

Sam had her baby shower in her hometown for her friends and family followed by a family and friends barbeque. We were so fortunate that we were able to be there and take part in the festivities!

Kemah

One of the perks of living in Houston is that we do have a coastline. Although it is not the most picturesque, it is nice to see the water and appreciate how fantastic our world is. Living along the coast has some drawbacks, too. One of those major drawbacks would definitely be hurricane season. We have a great little boardwalk area that has a some rides and restaurants that we have gone to several times. When Ike hit the Houston coast, Kemah was destroyed.

The boardwalk was closed for a long while so that it could be rebuilt. Going back was something that we had been discussing but just hadn't gotten around to doing - until a few weeks ago. Lauryn and I went with some friends and really enjoyed ourselves.

Poor Lauryn got sick following a bad combo of lunch and the big swings that go around in the air, but that did not stop her. We cleaned her up and took a trip to the fountains outside. There is something about playing in water that makes kids happy!

Party time!!!

I had my birthday this past Friday but I have been blessed with a celebration that has been stretched over several weeks. One of the best parts of being a summer birthday is that I have managed to surround myself with several friends that share the month of July - I guess Cancers stick together or are drawn to each other like magnets. We were able to come together often and celebrate each other together.

Last week, several girls got together for dinner and wine on Thursday and the next day, my counterparts in the counseling office took me to Chuy's for lunch. I wish that I would have thought to take pictures from each of these meals... There are such fantastic women in my life!

On the 8th, a group of ladies went to this fantastic place called Painting with a Twist. We were transformed into virtual Picassos. The entire experience was so much fun that I am definitely planning a return visit! This is the painting that we selected:

The beginning of my painting:

The birthday girls:

The painting group:

The final outcome which is now proudly hanging on the wall at home:




I decided that I wanted to celebrate the big day with my 2 favorite people, some friends, and great food. Tom had Italiano's brought in and he and Lauryn were gracious hosts to our friends and their families. Unfortunately, the camera sat idly by... Here is a shot of my 2 favorite people and me:



Tom got me the most amazing floral arrangement:




Lauryn has become quite the fruit plate designer:





Unfortunately, Jana and Derek were not able to join us for dinner Friday so we met at Chuy's for Saturday's dinner. Fun with them and my favorite restaurant is a win-win combination!

To cap off the birthday weekend, we ran some errands today. Poor Tom may be rethinking the whole plan of action at this moment. After leaving Sports Authority (we were looking for Under Armour polo shirts for Tom and I wanted to look into shoes for spin class), Lauryn and I went to Petsmart for dog treats and wet food for Bo. Tom had one more stop and was going to pick us up at Petsmart. We didn't make it out and Tom decided to come in and find us. What he found was two girls in love with a little white kitten named Elvis. He tried to walk away but tears were shed and he was defeated. Elvis will be coming home to us next weekend with a new name and pictures will follow!

Getting Some Kicks with a Long Lost Friend

When Lauryn was really little, one of her favorite friends was her Dolly. She loved Dolly so much that we purchased 2 so that when one was washing, she was not without her Dolly. Lauryn has since outgrown Dolly and when we moved her, I stashed her away on the top shelf of Lauryn's closet for safekeeping. After living here for 4 years, it was time to clean out closets. While in the middle of this daunting task, I unearthed both Dollies and her favorite sneakers - hot pink Chuck Taylors.

A Little Bit Wicked and Our Independence

On a Saturday, Tom and I went to see Wicked with our friends, Derek and Jana. It was a fantastic show with amazing music and a great story. I had read the book that inspired the musical and thought that it may have been a bit too dark for Lauryn to see, but that just enabled us to a wonderful night as adults. We ate at Houston's - Tom would recommend ribs because the meat simply fell from the bone. Following a wonderful dinner, we went for preshow drinks and photo-ops. The next time Wicked comes through town, we will definitely take Lauryn. It was so wonderful!!!

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. I don't know if that is due to it being so close to my birthday or the history major past, but I love it and all that it entails! With that being said, my family had to endure the 92% humidity and Houston heat while we watched the local Independence Day parade roll through town. Doesn't Lauryn look thrilled?!?

What is the 4th of July without barbecue and fireworks? This year, we went to the Club to watch the fireworks and celebrate with friends. We nabbed a perfect spot to watch the fireworks and got settled in for the evening.

A Milestone

In my poor blog updating, I have missed a fantastic milestone in Lauryn's life. The week following Easter, Lauryn took her First Communion. We had been attending Sunday School in the weeks leading up to the big event so that Lauryn could understand the meaning of taking communion and the Eucharist. Both sets of grandparents came in to town to take part of this special day. We were all so proud of her!