Chicago Recap.

Good grief, the time has sure gotten away from me.  I apologize.  We got back late last Monday and then I honestly don't know where the week went.  I couldn't get myself motivated to get this post up and I sure didn't have the motivation to craft (lazy).  So here it is a whole week later and I'm posting.

We had an absolutely amazing time in Chicago.  Not only because it was just the two of us and we had never been to Chicago TOGETHER, but because this was Mike's first marathon and it was pretty emotional for both of us.  Something really cool that we got to share together.

We got into town Friday afternoon/evening and didn't do much so I'm starting with pics from Saturday morning (and just giving you the highlights because I don't want to bore you.  Haha!)  We picked up Mike's race packet Saturday morning and walked around the Expo for awhile.  Nike had this really cool wall set up with these giant letters that said #ownchicago and everyone was signing their name.

This was the view from our hotel room.  It was awesome.  I could have sat there all day long and stared at the water.

And what trip wouldn't be complete without a lame selfie?  I know, Mike looks constipated, but in his defense, he always has to press the button, because his arms are longer and he has issues with that :)

We walked FOREVER on Saturday.  The one thing I wanted to see while we were there was The Bean.  When I told Mike that, he said, "what's the The Bean?"  Let me tell you, if you haven't seen it in person, it's MUCH smaller than you think.  At least it was smaller than I thought.  I can mark it off my list though.

We had dinner with his co-workers Saturday night and on our way back to the hotel, we took a detour from the group and hung out on one of the bridges that crosses the river.  I could have stayed there all night :)  But we had to get up SUPER early on Sunday so back to the hotel we went.

We were up at 4:45 AM on Sunday and made our way down to the south side of Grant Park.  It was kind of exciting to see all the racers getting ready.  I gave Mike a kiss and left him at the entrance to Charity Village, he was running for Ronald McDonald House, and we weren't allowed inside until 9AM.  One of the other wives and I headed to get some coffee and hopped on the train to follow the guys around the course for the next couple of hours.  I kept missing Mike and we were headed to mile number 20 to see him when we calculated his time and realized by the time we took the train there and then back to the finish line, I would miss him!  So I hopped off the train and ran over to Charity Village where I was able to find Mike!  I was yelling for him, he couldn't hear me he had his headphones in, and was on the other side of the street, but it was great to see him!  (he's the one in the white shirt, black shorts and orange shoes!)

After, what seemed like a lifetime, Mike made his way from the finish line to Charity Village and that's where I got to see him :)  I don't think I'll ever forget that moment for the rest of my life.  He had a beer in his hand and just looked so relaxed.  Seriously, after running 26.2 miles in 3 hours and 20 minutes.  So awesome :)

After hanging out and waiting for the rest of his team to arrive, for a couple of more hours, we finally walked back to the hotel.  I snapped this picture of the Adventure's in Babysitting building :)  Isn't it weird that it's white?  We hung out at the hotel for a few hours and then around 5:30 PM headed out to dinner.  We walked and walked again :)  I don't think either of us wanted the night to end, since it was our last.

Monday morning we headed over to Lou Mitchell's for breakfast.  See where it says they serve the world's finest coffee?  Guess what?  They serve Mike's coffee, the company he works for.  How funny is that?  We had a delicious breakfast here and were sad to go back to the hotel and check out.  We still had a long drive home ahead of us.

I couldn't help but think about KATIE over and over again while we were in Chicago.  What an awesome city to live in :)  

We were so grateful for my parents staying at the house with the girls and Dirk, he was a handful.  It really put our mind at ease knowing they were here.  The next couple of weeks are really busy here.  Volleyball, school conferences, school programs, Halloween, etc.  I know my posting will be hit and miss and I apologize for that.  I have kept up on my Project Life, but it looks the same as it always does and I think it's kind of boring :)  So other than that, I don't have much to post until I make something. 

I'm hoping to get some things made in the next few days and have a post later in the week!  I really appreciate the visit and I'll see you as soon as I can!!  Have an awesome Monday :)