Carly is right the last time we got together we were all very pregnant and all we wanted to do was sit around, chat and eat food. It was nice to not be hindered by large bellies this time! It really was supposed to be five of us, but Jules and Mel both couldn't make it. A few things about the lovely ladies I spent my weekend with.
Me, Carly and Margaret at the John Hancock Observatory
MARGARET: I first met Margaret when she moved to Belmont just before the start of our Junior year of High School. Margaret quickly became a great friend and we spent a lot of time together. She called me "Jenberly" in High School as a joke...I think it's a mix of Kimberly and Jennifer. (Margaret, you're going to have to remind me why you chose this nickname...) I have a special place in my heart for Margaret. She instilled a lot of confidence in me during high school just by being my friend and loving me. Margaret is a wonderful artist and graphic designer and her creativity and sense of style is amazing. She also has a very free spirit and isn't afraid of spontaneity. She is also the mother to three beautiful boys and a wife to Clark.
CARLY: Carly's family moved to Belmont when we were 3. Carly is only one week younger than Julia and I and we had many joint birthday parties growing up. Carly didn't go to our elementary school when we were young, but we did go to church with her, so we always considered her our church friend. Over the years we were always friends, sometimes closer than others, but I don't think it ever mattered. At the end of High School we all went to BYU together. Carly and I both studied sociology for our bachelor's degrees. Then, unknown to each other, we both decided to apply for the MPA program at the Marriott School after graduation and both got in! Then the second year of our graduate program Phil and I moved into an apartment right next door to Carly and her husband Daniel. Up until graduation we led pretty parallel lives. You can always count on Carly for a good time because she is spontaneous and very creative. She is now the mother to two beautiful and spunky girls and is the Financial Coordinator for the UVU Library. She's one smart and capable cookie.
I think the best part of the weekend really was the talking and catching each other up on life. It felt like no time had passed since we'd seen each other. I'm so grateful for good friends, especially these two lovely ladies!
So now onto the pictures: (disclaimer: these are all iphone pictures...I forgot my real camera)
The ceiling of our hotel lobby. We got a great deal on Priceline at the Palmer House Hilton. Great location in the loop.
The view to the North at the John Hancock Observatory
Carly at brunch at Yolk. If you're ever in Chicago I highly recommend it. Very yummy.
The Bean!
Obligatory Bean reflection selfie
Our architectural tour and tour guide (highly recommend this!)
View from the Willis Tower Skydeck
This is far as I would go...I'm deathly afraid of heights!
Very delish deep dish pizza at Giordono's
Natural history museum. I mainly took this pic for Felix to see Mommy with dinos!
Shadd Aquarium
Beautiful jellyfish
Beluga Whale
Churro at XOCO. Very yummy.
Sticker manicures, inspired by Margaret
Our hotel room, which was much larger than I expected. Plus it had a walk in closet!
The Art Institute of Chicago:
(this Mary Cassatt hung in my home growing up and I will always feel a bit sentimental about it)
Thanks Carly and Marg for such a wonderful weekend! And thank you Chicago for being such a fun city to explore!
