Halloween 2016

 

We have Leo's second Halloween in the books! 

Last year...

...we were all still in the newborn fog so it was really nice to enjoy it this year to its fullest!

We popped into a friends house during the day and then went over to two more friends house later that evening! Our little lion was a major trooper! 

After pizza with a few monsters, we took our roadie and went to visit our favorite street in the neighborhood.

 

and, yes, I am one of those.....

Weeknight Meals

Last week was our first full week back at home and back into our routine, and it felt nice to be home eating dinner each night.

I'm going to try and get better at snapping pictures, and introducing new meals each week, but every week I need a few easy - ten minute dinners - in order to ensure that my meals actually get cooked! 

A lot of the pictures and recipes below are repeats and can be found on old posts*

Monday: Mushroom & Cauliflower Quinoa Salad

    

Tuesday: Salmon Cakes/burgers

Wednesday: CrockPot Chicken Taco Salad

Thursday: Pumpkin Turkey Chili

Friday:  CrockPot Pulled Pork Sliders

Weekend Report

I'm off my game in taking pictures! Snapchat (tshields622) is ruining me!

Thursday afternoon Leo and I met up with our friends Beth and Grady for a really fun happy hour.

It always so nice to catch up with Beth because we can talk shop about having one year olds, easily ignore their whining without worrying about if its bothering each other, and even sneak in a few laughs between mickey mouse clips!

Friday during the day I spent most of it cleaning and shopping and prepping for having a few friends over for a Cubs viewing party.

I have 0 pictures to show for it, but I made these amazing pulled pork sliders (1st time, and SO good), this slaw, and my all time favorite pumpkin cupcakes.

 

This recipe is almost embarrassing - its the same card I've had since college - and somehow I've never found the time to rewrite it!

Saturday morning we were up bright and early to head down to San Diego to celebrate our nephew's second birthday.

The boys played during the morning and took full advantage of the early delivery of the bounce house! 

At nap time, we helped Andrew and Corie put all of their adorable details together and before we knew it - the party had begun!

 

The costume party was a major hit (despite it being 85 degrees), and everyone had a blast.

We got home Sunday before lunch, plowed through 4 loads of laundry, snuck in a nap, and watched the cubs - and I'm writing this before the game is over, so I'm hope I'm foreshadowing - WIN!

My Best Friends Wedding

 

I mean!!!

Have you ever seen a more gorgeous bride? 

The weekend festivities started off on Thursday. 

I hadn't seen Joel is 3 weeks, and we met downtown without Leo! It was actually such a fun reunion, and we were even able to sneak in a lunch date at our favorite taco spot - Big Star.

Afterwards, Joel and I headed to Amanda's, got dressed up for the rehearsal and walked over to the church with the bride to be.

 

The rehearsal got a touch scary when the church coordinator "got stuck in traffic" and then never showed up, but we rolled with it.

Dinner was at Toppo Gigio, and it was such a fun night seeing everyone and getting the celebrations started! 

Since the rehearsal was on a Thursday, that gave us all of Friday to just hang out. I had breakfast with one of my best friends (and fellow bridesmaids) Sara, saw her beautiful new house in Ukrainian Village, and got checked into the hotel.

The bridesmaids had a nail appointment and then met for drinks at the Drake.

That night, the bride and I turned in very early. We had pizza with Amanda's family, watched a few episodes of Modern Family, and went to bed right around 10pm to ensure the bride got as much rest as possible.

The next morning we were up and at um' by 6:30, and down in our getting room by 7:30. I was the first to get finished, so I was happy to keep everyone's mimosa's filled! 

The getting ready party is always my favorite part of the day. The energy is so high and positive, everyone is giddy, and us girls had a blast.

And Amanda transformed into a bride model and literally looked perfect.

Before we knew it, it was time to load up for the church.

The ceremony was perfect, and I had to hold back from losing it in front of everyone as I kept my eyes on Andrew both holding back nervous giggles and tears.

It was truly amazing, and after some group pictures outside of the church, we headed out on a trolley to take pictures at Lincoln Park Zoo.

 

 

We finished pictures a little early and got to enjoy a few minutes of the cocktail hour before our entrances.

The room of the reception was breathtaking (The Knickerbocker in downtown Chicago) and Amanda's DJ was on point too (Toast and Jam). 

 

The whole night - (and thankfully, even my speech) - went really. really well, and will forever go down as one of the best weddings I've ever been too.

 Congrats Amanda & Andrew! We love you!