Our Chicago Getaway

This weekend was a refreshing one. Doug and I have had a gift card to a fancy restaurant in Chicago burning a hole in our pockets for a few months now. But life is busy, the weather has been too cold, kids get sick....we just kept putting it on the back burner. A few weeks ago we decided to take the plunge and make a reservation--that would push us to actually go!

And I am so glad we did. Just look at those smiles! We have both been to Chicago multiple times but we realized we had never done it just the two of us. We went with one set plan, our supper, and just went where the city took us the rest of the time. I have decided that that is the way to do a quick vacation.

We drove up Friday. First stop-to see old college friends and a new baby! It was so nice to see Sarah and Katie and sorry ladies, even nicer to meet Sarah's new little baby boy.  He is perfect. It was weird to not have my own babies with me. But hey, I didn't have to change diapers and when he cried I got to give him back! Saturday morning we slept in, got donuts (Sarah's husband is a police officer and not to be stereotypical, but he knew where to get the best ones ha!) and headed for the city.  

Doug has turned into quite the travel guy. Through work he has learned the tricks of the trade and set us off on the right track by using a parking app to reserve a parking garage spot next to our hotel downtown. Made everything so easy and way cheaper than just stumbling upon a random parking garage. Yay Doug! We dropped of our bags and hit the city! We walked up Michigan Avenue stopping into shops whenever we wanted to. We of course saw the "Bean" which is actually named "Cloud Gate"...who knew. Also, Douglas and I learned that it is not the easiest to take a picture at the bean--we looked like fools. I think we had lunch after that. We love a hole-in-the-wall joint and we love Mexican. We stumbled upon  Broken English Taco Pub and it was the perfect spot. We had margs, street corn hush puppies and six different tacos. Pork belly taco for the win! Actually, all of it for the win. 

We decided to just keep walking after that. Soon we randomly found a winery on the river. Very cool and relaxing! They had these neat little clear igloos that groups could rent and be warm in. It was nice so we just sat at the bar facing the river. Isn't people watching fun? After this we decided to make our way back to our hotel. The last attraction on our walk was Whole Foods. Yes....Doug and I went sight seeing at a grocery store. You know you are old and boring if this was a high light! We had never been in one and it was fun to see all the fancy and different food there. Just a little bit different from good ol' Wal-mart or Aldi.....

After this we just relaxed back at the hotel for a little bit and got ready for our fancy supper.

Doug had won a gift card to Truluck's-a seafood and steak restaurant that is fancier than anything I have ever been to... or will probably ever be to again. We had a crab cake appetizer, brussel sprouts, lobster mac'n'cheese, I had scallops and Doug had a filet. And we had dessert. We didn't hold back.

Actually we did. People around us had way more and went way fancier...I don't want to know what their bills were! Again, people watching is fun. I always want to know what everyone's story is.

Here are a few food highlights from our trip. My favorite thing might have been the crab cake followed by the margarita (Don't judge....it was really good!)

Not to be mushy, but the best part of the trip was this guy. It is always refreshing to get away with him. I mean on the average day we can get about two words in before someone needs us (not that I am at all complaining about that) but being able to talk and laugh with each other was good for the soul!

But man did we miss our babies. The kids stayed with Sue and Sam Friday night and Nana on Saturday. I know they got to ride the golf cart at the farm, enjoyed playing with cousins and were very upset when they went to make popcorn for their Saturday night movie and there was none. 

I don't know if Emery really missed us at all, I know Auggie missed me.....

and Baby B of course gave Doug his biggest smiles (but later wanted me to rock him to sleep.)

We told them all about our trip and promised they could go next time.

Its funny, when we are away from them we so many little things that remind us of them. Em would have loved Doug's purple donut and Auggie would have boo'd the Cub stores we passed. They both would have thought the forty buttons in the elevator were awesome and the bean would have blown their mind. Someday we will take them to see the city.

Monday has us back to reality but that is just fine because we are refreshed and ready for these next couple of weeks of school!