chicago.

it's that time of year again.....joining in on my mom's annual trip to chicago for her national conference for pampered chef. while mom is at work, aunt linda and i go play!!!! here are some pics of our time in chicago. as always we had fun, chicago doesn't ever disappoint!

a view of some hotels and apartments/condos from our hotel....this is across the river

the chicago river

trump tower and the tribune building

my mom thought this was funny and wanted a picture.

buckingham fountain

bloomingdales fro-yo......my new addiction....so good.
one day it was soooo chilly and windy while walking the magnificent mile. we didn't think it'd be that cold and left our warm gear in the hotel. we ended up buying these long sleeves!!
this was funny. at millenium park this screen made of smaller screens shows a moving face that eventually dumps water onto the people below. lots of kids wading around and loving the water.

cloudgate aka "the bean", a giant mirror ball type of thing that reflects the city
me and my reflection

me and aunt linda

i love cupcakes. they are my fave. and we happened upon sugar bliss bakery. and bliss it was. we made multiple trips there and i loaded up on the blissful sugar. my favorite was red velvet. oh yum. yum. yum. (and yes, i ate all 3 of those, a regular and 2 minis)

doing what i do best. shoving my face full.

aunt linda waiting in line for rush tickets to Jersey Boys. we got front row, and it was a great show!!

waiting in line for the tickets.

doing what i do best again at berry chill enjoying the fro yo there....oh. so. good.

i have definitely found a new addiction.

mine had bananas and strawberry, aunt linda's had chocolate chips. oh it was good.

more views of the river from our hotel, toward Lake Michigan

a view of the Hancock Tower from Michigan Avenue

yep, chicago was fun. i want to stay there. love it.

a most excellent race.

a couple of weekends ago I finished my 2nd 10k.......a most excellent race. i held up ok and didn't stop, which was one of my goals! it was a bit humid, but overcast which made it easier to run! also making this a good run was seeing some friends and family along the route. thanks to my mom, aunt (and thanks for that special sign!), david (shouting tips to me as i went past), katherine and victoria (with their signs and cowbells in tow!), julie and bob, and kim b. for cheering me on. it helps so much to see a familiar face or 2 to keep you going!! i finished in a slightly better time than the last 10k, so that made me happy. a most excellent race 10k finish time-1:03:07. one step closer and closer to that half marathon. yipes!

happy 4th.

god bless america.

picture

new kids.

june 23, 2009. the 2nd new kids on the block concert in 6 months!! we were all so excited for this new tour....the full service tour. they did not disappoint. our group was smaller this time around, just 3 of us, but we still had as much fun! here are pics from our night. we love the new kids on the block!!!! as someone's shirt said....nkotb for life!!!

::me, kim, and mandy::

::me and my cute sister::

::tree hugger::
::we were so excited at this...email your picture to the big screen...we did and there we are::

::me and the boys::

::mandy and kim::


::they are some good lookin guys::


::joe sings his song he wrote to the fans...5 brothers and a million sisters::

::i heart them::

::always a great show::