I think I'll start with a few photos. The words can come later.
First stop: Chicago, IL
I love this photo that Keira took. Brin so happy to be on her daddy's shoulders.
We rode the train into the city. Spent a couple hours. Ate some yummy and so unhealthy hot dogs and Ghirardelli chocolate. I had to make a stop at H&M...I know, I know.
these kids! how cute are they?
At the Field Museum. What a cool place. I think we had the most fun downstairs in the play lab for little scientists.
Miss you like crazy! I can't wait to see you all this summer.
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Second Stop: Potomac, MD
Wedding prep. My dear friend Lorianne asked if I, along with fellow party planning sensation, Wendy Gunnerson, would take charge of the catering for her reception. How could I refuse such a reminiscent opportunity coupled with a chance to hit up our nation's capital? I flew from Chicago to DC on Tuesday and went straight to Costco. That initiated four days straight, on my feet having a blast with food. I wish I had taken more photos of the actual presentation. I'll have to track some down.
Who knew fruit could communicate so much?
my kind of berry.
this is what I call an over achieving orange.
Wendy and me outside the DC temple.
{Insert happy photos of the beautiful event here.}
Wendy, Norma, me, and Teresa (new friends and housekeepers of the Prince family--where the reception was held). At the end of the evening, shoes off, feet so swollen I didn't even recognize them as my own, utterly exhausted and on my way to spend some critical vacay time at the beach.
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Third Stop: Outer Banks (Banx?), NC.
Me, John from Texas, Liz and someone I don't know. Monday at the beach before a rousing game of football.
Sunrise #1. First of three sunrises I was up for. I watched this one from the roof-top deck at the "Salt Lake" house (aka: the "pretty people" house...long story).
Sunrise #2. I watched this one from the actual roof of the Salt Lake house. I'm sure the neighbors who were up that early thought I must be crazy. Alone and in my pj's perched up on the roof.
Jake and Scott. Taken the day of our check out. I guess I should explain. My intial flight was scheduled for Wednesday morning from the Dulles airport--meaning I would have had to leave the beach on Tuesday. But, I just wasn't ready to leave. My theme for the week was everything happens for a reason. I was bumped on my flight from SLC to Chicago and got a nice voucher for a free flight. I was able to use it to change my flight to Saturday. So glad that I did.
Sunrise #3. I pulled an all-nighter. Oh the things one will do when asked in a southern accent.
{insert more photos here}
Fourth Stop: Washington, DC.
Extending my trip made a too-short tour of the city on Saturday possible. Caught up with Wendy and philosophized about life over a stack of "scrummy" (new word thanks to Clare from Kent, GB) blueberry/buckwheat pancakes and a spinach omelet.Thanks, Tim, for showing me around the Mall.
ps, Did I mention that my stay in DC was too short?
I love this shot.---------------------------------
One last thing. Click here for the deets on Bijou. Only 26 days away!
I'm sitting on a bed in a beach house that looks much like I imagine the White Sands would be like (you know, Anne of Green Gables stuff) contemplating my first 30 years and what I would like to do in my next 30 years. wow. With my eyes smiling and my mouth in a slight curl, I am so stoked for what is to come. I have been gifted with a glimpse of the absolute delight that will be and it will be great! The details are to be determined, but the overall gist is being pieced together.
