Chicagoan Birthday Get-A-Way

It seems as though it takes the stars to align in order for Kris and I to escape our homefronts sans children these days.  Thankfully, our hubbies and Ann and TJ Sacksteder made it happen to help us celebrate our thirtieth birthday!  How grateful we are to them all for holding down the forts in our absence!

We didn't take a moment for granted from the time Kris picked me up at O'Hare International on Friday morning until she returned me there on Sunday.  It was glorious to chat uninterrupted, eat adult food at a leisurely pace, shop for fun, take naps, shower in peace (two days in a row!) and read!  It even worked out well that we had shared "pump breaks" every few hours, so no one felt left out!  Every single meal we indulged on was absolutely delectable (even more so because we didn't have to plan it, shop for it, prepare it or clean up afterwards.)  We took a bus tour around the city and chose to remain in our seats rather than hop on and off which is the typical appeal.  We decided that we spend a lot of time chasing children around, so sitting still for an extended period of time is novel.  And we chose to relish in it.  We went to see Jersey Boys, which we agree is the very best Broadway show either of us has ever seen (which, I feel fortunate to say, had a pretty decent list of competitors.)  It was such a special way to spend the last couple days of our twenties...

Back at home, Nick flew solo with all of our girls for the first time (for more than a few hours, anyway.)  His first day, Friday, was a doozie, complete with an exceptionally early wake-up and then a house showing.  To understand what a tremendous accomplishment it was for Nick to conquer this feat, it is important to know that cleaning is not, um, "his thing."  I'm not sure that he and our vacuum cleaner have ever come into contact.  Cleaning aversion aside, he absolutely rose to the occasion and passed with flying colors (we know this because, even though we didn't make a sale, the feedback was positive!)

It wasn't ten minutes after he finished giving me a play-by-play run-down on Saturday morning, that he got the call of another showing appointment that afternoon.  After hearing the irritation in his voice, I scolded myself for wishing them on him recently in a moment of weakness when I was feeling under appreciated.  That said, he did another fantastic job, even though he assured me that it was in no way easier the second time around.

That evening, his fantastic boss, who was also flying solo for the weekend, brought dinner over to share.   I can't think of a more thoughtful gesture!  After they finished up their meal and video game sesh, Nick got a late night invitation to hang out at our friends, Molly & Luke's house for a farewell bonfire for Matt, Marin and Miguel.  So, what does he do?  He loads Emmy and Hannah into their carseats at 11 o'clock at night.  Emmy, very aptly, told Nick, "Dada, we goin' on adventure?" After a late-night snack, Hannah zonked out in the guest room with Matt and Marin and Emmy spent the night in the pack n play next to the futon on which Nick slept.  Nick turned in at about 3, giving him a sold hour and a half before Emmy first awoke (or the second depending upon how you look at it.)  Luckily, she responded to his pleas to return to sleep, because it was still dark outside, but only until around 530.  At which time, she started chucking everything in her pack 'n play at him.  Clearly, it was time to go home.  From the sounds of it, it was really great while it lasted.  I was so glad Nick could squeeze some quality time in with our dear friends in their last days here, even if it was after hours.

I returned home to my maniacal four-legged babies, two happy little girls and my rockstar of a husband, who appeared as refreshed as one could with an hour and a half of sleep.  But still handsome as ever. ;) It was a wonderful trip, and equally as wonderful coming home.  Thirty has definitely treated me well, thus far!

Making use of the timer on my camera before heading out to dinner.

Oprah's former residence!

My open invitation for someone to come rummage through my purse at Navy Pier.

Kris standing pretty. :)

One of the many views we appreciated from our seats on the tour bus.

Kris did a way better job documenting our fun with the new Instagram app on her I-Phone.  I have to get me one of those...

This is what happens when I turn in at half past midnight, set my alarm for 4:15am only for Hannah to wake up to eat at 3:30am.  Poor Kris has had a few hours to kill while I napped on day 1.

Ready to hit the town!  Nick asked me if we were "going out."  I told him that we were, indeed, going out to get dinner, but that we were very much looking forward to a restful night of sleep afterwards.  We're pretty much a couple of grandmas these days.

Gibson's steak house!  DELISH!!!

Our waiter, Andy, brought us an ice cream sundae because Kris told him it was our 30th birthday the moment we were seated. :)

Self-portrait on the tour bus!  The guide stopped his spiel at one point to ask us if we were twins because he thought he was going nuts.  While I'm not a fan of being the center of attention, it's been a very long time since anyone has asked us that question, so we appreciated it a great deal. :-P

Navy Pier!  We decided to disembark the bus and stretch our legs...

...And grab some Chicago dogs for lunch! Kris obviously didn't pick up on the fact that you are never, under any circumstances, to put ketchup on a chicago dog.

Sitting in the theatre waiting for Jersey Boys to start.  There was an adorable gay usher, with a shoulder-length pompadour, perched right next to us.  He greeted each person who walked by with a "Helllllllooooooo, how ARE you?"  We must've heard him say it about 75 times.  Kris has a solid impression of him down pat.  I have multiple chins in this picture because we snuck it in from Kris' lap after the "no photography warning" was made.

Late-night birthday cake at the Cheesecake Factory. 

Emmy reading her "pink Bible" to Hannah.

Love them!!!

Nick and Emmy cuddling in the rocking chairs at Cracker Barrell where we had a yummy birthday brunch. :)  Afterwards, Nick and the girls let me finish reading the book I started on my trip and brought balloons and sushi home for dinner!  I can't forget the yummy Coldstone ice cream for dessert!  Yum-o!!  Such a great day!