Last night we did something really fun as a family.

We ventured out into the neighborhood and went to music in the square just a few blocks from our house. 

There was quite a crowd - I was really surprised.

The band was Drop Steady, a reggae group that is awesome!

We arrived during a break in their set so staked out a spot, and enjoyed a drink.

There are tents set up in the square that sell wine, beer, popcorn,

and some German goodies like giant pretzels and brats. 

Once the band started to play Noelle and daddy went a bit closer to dance with the other kiddos near the stage.

We had such a great time, it was hard to leave before they were finished. We stayed out past Nono's bedtime, but it was totally worth it. 

Our only regret is that we didn't do this sooner.

Every Thursday night during the summer this was going on (all different bands) only five blocks from our house.

How did we miss this? At least we made it to the last one...until next summer!

Happy six year anniversary, Chicago! Yes, I moved to Chicago on St. Patrick's Day. Thank you dad for helping me, and for navigating the Uhaul through the tiny streets and drunks that day with a cat underneath your foot!

I seriously cannot believe that I've lived here for over half a decade. The years have absolutely flown by. In my six years here I've grown so much, and accomplished more than I ever would have imagined.

Within my first year here I made new friends, met the man who would become my husband, ended my retail career, partied (probably) too much, ate at a lot of great Chicago restaurants, and began my real estate career.

March 2007

March 2008

During the next two years I moved in with my boyfriend, got engaged, and did a lot of traveling for friends' weddings. In these two years we slowed down a lot. (You notice the change from 'I' to 'we'? Love it!) We started cooking more at home - Dave bbq'ing and me baking.

March 2009

July 2009

Next we we got married, traveled to Greece (my first overseas trip), and adopted a dog - Halas.

March 2010

July 2010

Since then we've cooked a lot, made many trips to the dog park, traveled, moved twice, and our biggest accomplishment, gave birth to our daughter Noelle.

Noelle

It's been a whirlwind six years, wouldn't you agree? What's next, Chicago?

This year our "spring break" trip happened a bit earlier - February - and sadly without daddy :( Noelle and I headed to south west Florida on our own to visit Cammy and TBD for a week earlier this month.

It was her first plane ride, and she was an absolute champ. Before getting on the plane I had determined that I wanted a front row seat to have extra leg room for us (we fly Southwest, so get to pick). We were able to snag the last front row seat on the plane thanks to our 'A' group seating. This was, though, not without a death stare from every person around us. Their eyes were screaming at me "DO NOT SIT HERE WITH THAT BABY!" Boy did she prove them wrong. Asleep before takeoff, quietly ate and played for the remainder of the flight. We actually got quite a few stares because people were so shocked at how well behaved she was.

Upon our arrival in Florida Cammy and Auntie ML retrieved us from the airport, picked up lunch at Chick-Fil-A, and headed to our home for the week. We got settled at the condo, and Cammy and TBD couldn't wait to show off their grand baby to all of their Florida friends. So, we loaded baby girl into the stroller and took a walk around the community. 

During the rest of our trip there was a lot of alligator wrestling ...

Shopping at the outdoor mall ... 

Napping ...

And, simply enjoying the Florida sun!

We went swimming for the first time, too!

Finally, we had our first little giggles. The cutest.thing.ever.

And, we did it all without socks on. Why you ask? Because "if you're not barefoot, you're overdressed!"

Well, it has been quite some time since I've written here at all, let alone regularly.

We've had a busy month since spring break. A promotion for me, back to work and school for the hubs, and the most recent news, we're expecting! Our little one will join us in late October, just in time for Halloween, and we'll be able to stop calling it by gender neutral terms in early June.

I've made it through the first trimester, and the weeks are definitely starting to pass more quickly. Hopefully the first trimester symptoms will be gone soon too. I'm ready to have a bit more energy, and to have my appetite back, though I will say I am thankful for no morning sickness.

At eight weeks the little one looked a lot more like a circus peanut than a baby ...

... but thankfully, in just four more weeks (12 week ultrasound) baby's starting

to look like a little human in there!

We're thrilled for the newest addition to our family, and hopefully the creatures are too. I feel very lucky that we are healthy, and am looking forward to that continuing. We have a great support system of family and friends, and will try to enjoy the next six months of being just us as much as possible.

We're back! Last week we had a nice spring break in sunny Florida. Even better? We brought the sunshine back with us and have been enjoying unseasonably warm temperatures in the north. Keep up the good work Mother Nature!

We started the vacation with a birthday celebration for the hubs! It was a day full of relaxing pool side, and dinner with family and friends.

For the rest of our time in Naples we, well, did basically the same thing as we did the first day: lots of pool time, lots of good seafood, and memories with family and friends. Throw a little bocce ball and tennis in there and we fit right in with all of the retirees!

Half way through the trip we started our journey to Key West in our rented Jeep Liberty with a layover in Ft. Lauderdale. We had a great dinner with Dave's God Brother, James, at the most delicious strip mall restaurant I think I've ever eaten at!

The next day our journey on US 1 to Key West was in full swing. With a minor detour (and when I say  'minor' I really mean major) as we had to go back to Ft. Lauderdale when we reached Homestead because someone forgot all of their clothes. But, once we got going, boy was that drive beautiful.

Key West was awesome. A great mash-up of celebration for our (now) newly wed friends, exploring and relaxing. It was so fun to be on vacation with all of our friends, and I can't wait for the opportunity to do that again someday!

And, finally, a personal highlight, our trip to Mallory Square!

Are you tired? I am. Time for a vacation from vacation!