Strokes

This past weekend we traveled to Chicago for Craig's cousin Esther's wedding (which took place in NW Indiana, not Chicago proper.) The highlights for me were seeing everyone, eating more than ample amounts of home cooked food, and being away from real life for a few days. Our flights were tolerable, though leaving LaGuardia and landing at Midway and vice versa could always be a better experience, and even weather held up. Friday night we picked up Chinese food with Craig's parents (I've drifted far from liking Chinese food, but of course would not speak up to cause any rifts in the proposed plans) and Kara arrived kind of late with her family (she carried a sleeping Jake into the house and upstairs, and Ben carried a wide-eyed but barely cognizant Brady). We hung out with Kara and Ben and Craig's parents for a while before going to bed. Saturday morning, I played with Brady and his toys for quite some time, and we ate homemade blueberry muffins and drank coffee and caught up with one another. Saturday afternoon, we each showered and got dressed up for the 2 o'clock ceremony at the church. Following the ceremony (where I got to see Hannah and Lauren - they were so cute and their eyes lit up when we spotted each other!), we returned to Craig's parents to relax and eat cheese logs and apples and crackers and await the reception which was to begin at 6. The drive to the reception was about 45 minutes. Fun to see everyone, and warm and wonderful to be received by Esther and her new husband! Sunday morning we woke for Craig's birthday celebration (Happy 33rd, Craig!) and it was easy-going and calm - pumpkin pancakes made by Kara, and coffee and Shrek because Brady loves Shrek! and football and relaxation. For a late lunch, Craig's dad grilled pork medallions wrapped in bacon and Craig's mom made roasted sweet potatoes and white potatoes (of course, I opted out of the sweet potatoes - yuck!!) and green beans and a chicken and rice casserole, plus her spinach salad with mandarin orange slices, red onions, walnuts and some raspberry vinaigrette dressing. We ate so much food - several servings each, and then indulged in homemade amazing cheesecake for Craig's birthday! There was a great moment where Ben tried to feed a forkful of cheesecake to Brady (who is typically a mild-mannered kid) and Brady yelled, "No no no me no like it's YUCKY!" So funny and adorable, despite the incorrect grammar! I love that kid.* At some point, Erica and Hannah and Lauren had arrived, and that was a lot of fun, too. Hannah is my little friend, and Lauren is becoming my second little friend quickly! I love all of the kids - they're just so sweet and well-mannered.*Monday morning came too quickly. And alas, now it's Tuesday night, and I'm fairly sleepy. I made chicken soup with wild rice and cremini mushrooms tonight, which warmed and filled Craig and me. Craig's now asleep, and I'm about to watch some more reruns from the DVR box. We move in less than a month! And leave for Europe not long after that. Life is good right now. It's serene and noticeably more livable. It's easier. It's relaxed. I love it.*The above posted was played with in Photoshop, a Lomography attempt. I like it alright. I can do better. But I'm still learning. I love Photoshop, the Nikon and Annie! We're becoming the best of friends.