What fun we had!
The road trip to Chicago went more smoothly than last time. Having the video screen allowed us to keep the boys occupied for most of the trip and even provided Brian and I the rare opportunity to have a conversation while the kids were awake. Yes, a REAL conversation. Praise Jesus. Hallelujah.
However, we still found that the first half of our trip took soooo long (e.g., "Are we almost to Chicago, Mom?" Glance down at the odometer and see that we have travelled 77 miles. "Nope." You know the rest...) Also, the grown-ups kept needing to stop to eat, pee, and switch drivers. It's so annoying having to travel long distances with two adults ;)
Finally, we have yet to perfect the art of letting them watch enough TV to entertain them, but not so much that they miss the window in which they can most easily fall asleep. So, Michael had a ROUGH time falling asleep (which means that we ALL had a rough time.) Oh well. You live. You drive 560 miles with 2 kids. You learn.
On Friday morning and into the afternoon, we had the pleasure of visiting with the Levars and with Mamma and Pappa.
Then, Mamo and Papo came to pick the boys up and bring them to Notre Dame for home opening weekend. The boys had the time of their lives watching the players parade by, listening to the band, and tackling Papo on the quad.
Meanwhile, back in Chitown, Brian is back at Sidley catching up with friends and I am out on the town celebrating Andrea's last few days as a bachelorette! So much fun...
Saturday morning, we had the special treat of catching up with our dear friends, Melissa and Paul, who just happenned to be back in the Windy City (they now live in DC) visiting friends. Then coffee with Darren.
And then the wedding festivities begin. Rehearsal. Rehearsal luncheon. Dinner and ND game watch (GO IRISH!) with friends. And finally, last night out with the bride and groom-to-be.
Sunday morning we got to see Aunt Laura, Uncle Steve, and the boys before the wedding hair and make-up, etc.
And then the wedding. I have to be honest - I was a bit worried about the day. At about 11 am, the hair stylist was finishing up Andrea's "do." I think she was starting to feel rushed for time (she had to get over to do another bride's hair before she came back to do mine) and she accidentally dropped her mirror on the bathroom floor. "Don't you dare break a mirror in here today," I joked/warned. We all laughed. Until she walked out of the room, stepped on the mirror and cracked it a million ways. Andrea's mother (aka Mare-Dawg) and I looked at each other in shocked disbelief. Andrea said nothing until the stylist left and then pointed to the shattered mirror and firmly commanded: "Maria, get that thing out of here." Sir, yes sir.
But my worries were all unfounded. Even a broken mirror couldn't mess up this day. Andrea looked liked a true principessa. Gorgeous dress and jewelry that she had specially designed for her big day. Beautiful, thoughtful ceremony. Scrumptious Chicago menu of Lou's deep dish, Italian beef, Vienna dogs, and a scrumptious array of cupcakes. Not to mention the favors - a piece of chocolate-dipped bacon for each and every guest. Gotta love that Kavoosi girl ;)
We had a great time dancing and visiting with friends. And watching Andrea be so happy with her lover boy.
On Sunday, we had breakfast with Fr. Rog and then headed on back home.
Overall, the weekend was emotional for me. Not sure if it's because we were back in Chicago seeing so many old friends. Or if it was because it was a wedding weekend, and not just any one - the wedding of one of my dearest friends. That's always emotional. Or because I have been feeling old lately. Andrea is the last of our bunch to get married. I have to ask myself, "What am I now? Middle-aged? All of my friends are married..." On a related note, I worry about when I will see everybody again. Without weddings to bring us together, when will we catch up?? All of this leads up to one thing and one thing only........GIRLS' VACATION!!!! I'm sure I will fantasize about planning it and then let life get in the way, as it tends to do...
The road trip to Chicago went more smoothly than last time. Having the video screen allowed us to keep the boys occupied for most of the trip and even provided Brian and I the rare opportunity to have a conversation while the kids were awake. Yes, a REAL conversation. Praise Jesus. Hallelujah.
However, we still found that the first half of our trip took soooo long (e.g., "Are we almost to Chicago, Mom?" Glance down at the odometer and see that we have travelled 77 miles. "Nope." You know the rest...) Also, the grown-ups kept needing to stop to eat, pee, and switch drivers. It's so annoying having to travel long distances with two adults ;)
Finally, we have yet to perfect the art of letting them watch enough TV to entertain them, but not so much that they miss the window in which they can most easily fall asleep. So, Michael had a ROUGH time falling asleep (which means that we ALL had a rough time.) Oh well. You live. You drive 560 miles with 2 kids. You learn.
On Friday morning and into the afternoon, we had the pleasure of visiting with the Levars and with Mamma and Pappa.
Then, Mamo and Papo came to pick the boys up and bring them to Notre Dame for home opening weekend. The boys had the time of their lives watching the players parade by, listening to the band, and tackling Papo on the quad.
Meanwhile, back in Chitown, Brian is back at Sidley catching up with friends and I am out on the town celebrating Andrea's last few days as a bachelorette! So much fun...
Saturday morning, we had the special treat of catching up with our dear friends, Melissa and Paul, who just happenned to be back in the Windy City (they now live in DC) visiting friends. Then coffee with Darren.
And then the wedding festivities begin. Rehearsal. Rehearsal luncheon. Dinner and ND game watch (GO IRISH!) with friends. And finally, last night out with the bride and groom-to-be.
Sunday morning we got to see Aunt Laura, Uncle Steve, and the boys before the wedding hair and make-up, etc.
And then the wedding. I have to be honest - I was a bit worried about the day. At about 11 am, the hair stylist was finishing up Andrea's "do." I think she was starting to feel rushed for time (she had to get over to do another bride's hair before she came back to do mine) and she accidentally dropped her mirror on the bathroom floor. "Don't you dare break a mirror in here today," I joked/warned. We all laughed. Until she walked out of the room, stepped on the mirror and cracked it a million ways. Andrea's mother (aka Mare-Dawg) and I looked at each other in shocked disbelief. Andrea said nothing until the stylist left and then pointed to the shattered mirror and firmly commanded: "Maria, get that thing out of here." Sir, yes sir.
But my worries were all unfounded. Even a broken mirror couldn't mess up this day. Andrea looked liked a true principessa. Gorgeous dress and jewelry that she had specially designed for her big day. Beautiful, thoughtful ceremony. Scrumptious Chicago menu of Lou's deep dish, Italian beef, Vienna dogs, and a scrumptious array of cupcakes. Not to mention the favors - a piece of chocolate-dipped bacon for each and every guest. Gotta love that Kavoosi girl ;)
We had a great time dancing and visiting with friends. And watching Andrea be so happy with her lover boy.
On Sunday, we had breakfast with Fr. Rog and then headed on back home.
Overall, the weekend was emotional for me. Not sure if it's because we were back in Chicago seeing so many old friends. Or if it was because it was a wedding weekend, and not just any one - the wedding of one of my dearest friends. That's always emotional. Or because I have been feeling old lately. Andrea is the last of our bunch to get married. I have to ask myself, "What am I now? Middle-aged? All of my friends are married..." On a related note, I worry about when I will see everybody again. Without weddings to bring us together, when will we catch up?? All of this leads up to one thing and one thing only........GIRLS' VACATION!!!! I'm sure I will fantasize about planning it and then let life get in the way, as it tends to do...
Great blog! Tons of details!!! Hope you have time soon to add some pictures!
ReplyDeleteMamo - your wish is my command. Especially so close to your birthday ;)
ReplyDelete