Arizona to Chicago: Farewell Erin!

Happy Monday! I wonder how many other weekend posts around the web started that way this morning. It is a happy one though, if only for the fact that we got all of our errands done before 9am and now both boys are napping. And this weekend? Oh, was such a great one. It was full of all the things I love the most- friends, family, really, really great food, and lots of dancing. On Saturday in fact I had to pinch myself as I took a look around on that crowded dance floor, and realized that this was IT. This was one of those really happy moments I'll think back to for years to come- surrounded by some of my oldest friends, drinks clinking, singing along to really ridiculous 90s country at 12am. The song playing at the moment was Shania Twain's "Any Man of Mine," if that gives you a better picture of the awesomely embarrassing girl power celebration that was going on. Earlier that night I had tucked another moment away, taking a second to memorize all the details as we all spun each other around that hot, crowded dance floor at the Rusty Spur as the live band played and played. And if my memory fails me one day, at least I have a poorly-lit two minute video to take me right back. ;)

And I have to say this too- when you grow up with the same group of friends- when they've seen you through all the weird phases and weird hair and even weirder boyfriends, there's a deep comfort and love there. I've talked about this countless times here, but all of us lived together through college, experiencing every bit of life together for years. And then after we graduated, we lived together too, all meeting each others' husbands as we met them for ourselves, and then later watching each of our separate stories unfold; jobs and marriage and houses and kids, the easy stuff and the hard stuff- all the stuff really. So it was an emotional weekend, full of lots of laughter and some tears too, as we celebrated our friendships while also saying goodbye to Erin, who is moving to Chicago next month.

Erin and I met our freshman year of college- we lived in the same dorm and ended up rushing the same sorority- and we had an instant connection. Fast forward 14 years down the road and we've experienced all sorts of life's adventures at the same time, even being pregnant with Henry and her Kyler together. I'm very sad to see her go, but it's also incredibly exciting to know they are off on this new adventure. Plus, I've never been to Chicago and I can't wait to check it out! So Windy City people, if you see Erin around, tell her hello...she's a good one!

Below are just a few iPhone photos of our weekend at The Valley Ho. I wish I had taken more of the hotel itself- it's one of my favorites- and if you like mid-century design definitely check it out. The history of the place is pretty awesome. Autumn, Shirley, Alana and I actually lived right down the street from it on 2nd Street after college- the whole area is really fun.

And one last request before we get to the photos- Chicago people, do you have any must-sees or must-dos (places to go, restaurants, etc) for Erin and her family? I'm going to direct her to the comments, so hopefully a few of you are from the Chicago area and can share some expertise! Thank you in advance.

xoxo

Seattle: 1st Birthdays and Girlfriends and Twix Caramel Popcorn

Oh, Seattle. I've visited Washington State many times, and I think each trip I love it a little more. There's just so much I enjoy- obviously the people, but I'm really into the scenery, the weather, and yes, even the cloudiness. This time it was just Charlie and me, which made me smile because last trip it was just me, with Charlie in my belly. Full circle in the best way. We stayed with my friend Andy again, and we came this particular weekend so we could help celebrate her son Owen's first birthday. Our other friend Anita flew in from Phoenix as well and it was a reunion of sorts, as we all haven't been together since our last trip. It was so nice to reunite- now if only we all lived closer!

We did a lot in the three days I was there- party prepping, shopping, lots of eating, and I discovered a new item I will NEVER cook in my own kitchen thanks to it rendering my self-control powerless; TWIX CARAMEL POPCORN. Oh my god, people. So what it is is homemade caramel corn drizzled with melted chocolate and then mixed with Twix pieces. Heaven. My quote of the night was "just one more pinch," as I pinched off just one more handful of the good stuff. I ate way too much of it, but it was really great. Thanks a lot, Andy. ;)

The rest of the trip in a nutshell: laughing until I cried at Milo and Lola's antics, lots of girltalking, oohing and ahhing at Andy's sunset views every night, takeout in our pjs, party prepping, more oohing and ahhing over the cutest party ever, meeting up with Mandy and Smith (yay internet to real-life friends!), getting to meet other IG mama friends at the party, staying up way too late, Facetiming with Hank and Henry every night, flying back with Anita and Lola and almost missing our flight due to an accidentally long bagel sandwich break (!!), and basically just feeling like I was able to recharge my "Mama batteries" for a couple of days.

It's also important to note how well Charlie did. He's a mellow little dude so I wasn't too surprised, but I still wasn't sure what to expect. He flew like a champ (minus the immediate need for a diaper change the second we took off from Phoenix...) and slept in his pack-n-play every night with no problem. Naps were a whole different issue but I think I'll just count the successes for now. Ha.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend spent with great friends, both new and old, thanks to the always-hospitable Andy. Writing this now I'm feeling extra thankful, and I am looking forward until we can all be together again!

Some photos: