Chicago!!!! It's not NYC, but it was still great!

I had a great time in Chicago! Sadly, I ended up being sick for part of my time there, so that slowed us down a little, but overall it was a lot of fun. Weirdly enough I actually like the 8am-9pm all day meetings & eatings! I was headed back to Chicago for work and went a little early with a co-worker so we'd have some time to see the city. The two days of our convention went from 8am-9pm with basically no breaks - just little 15 minute ones between sessions. There's always so much great info and so many of the people crack me up, it's makes for some very fun meetings, not to mention yummy food!

Sunrise out our hotel window. We were able to see the fireworks from Navy Pier on Friday too. Great view of Michigan Ave!

This was in Millenium Park. It was the coolest art piece. I loved it! I wish there hadn't been all the other people around, but they loved it too I guess!





Fun with the crazy mirrors at Navy Pier!



This is the John Hancock Observatory. Unfortunately it was so cloudy when we went we couldn't see anything out the windows. Kind of a waste of $15! Oh well.

Magnificent Mile here I come!!!!

These are many of the reasons I am so excited for my trip to Chicago! While I am excited to see many of the other sites I am most excited for Magnificent Mile! Store after store after store. What could be more fun for a shopaholic like me??? With stores like these I think I will be doing more window shopping then actual shopping, but that's still fun!

Isn't she the cutest girl you've ever seen???

I saw this picture on Daniel & Marie's blog last night and think it might be the cutest picture of her! In the past she hasn't been the most cooperative at posing for pictures, but this one seems just perfect! It'll be fun to have her and Marie back in AZ this week. I've missed all of them. I've loved having them live in Arizona! I'll be bummed when they move away. :-( It's amazing how quickly Madison has grown. I remember so well when she was born and can't believe that was 18 months ago! She's old enough for nursery now. Hard to believe! And in no time she's going to be a big sister. It's crazy how quickly time just flies!

We only have to wait until Spring 2009!

So anyone who has ever visited an H&M knows how incredible this store is! Sadly, they do not have a store in AZ and so I've only been able to visit when in NYC. My last visit to NY included traveleing all over Manhattan visiting at least 5 H&Ms as they all had a little different merchandise. Well, yesterday while I was checking on H&M locations for my upcoming trips to Chicago & Boston I noticed that Arizona has finally made the list for getting a future H&M! Scottsdale should house one in Spring 09! If you've never been to this store it has great clothes (and lots of them) at Target prices!!! The countdown has begun...

I cannot wait!

This is probably my favorite book ever (I can't count the number of times I've read it!) and I am so excited for this movie! They are changing a lot from the books, but it still looks really good. Here's the first trailer released. Unfortunately we still have to wait until February!

Reflections

This last weekend my family was up in Cedar City for my sister-in-laws' Dad's and brother's memorial service. They were killed in a plane crash just over a week ago. What a horrible tragedy. The funeral and thoughts of what had happened have been incredibly sad, but there has also been great spiritual growth. It was a reminder that none of us know what the next day holds or how long we will be here and how important it is we live our life obediently so we will be ready for the next. Marie's dad and brother were both amazing people and living as they should and as I listened to stories at the funeral and remembered ones Marie had shared in the past realized what an example they were to me and everyone around them. Her dad served so many people in more ways than I'd ever know, but just in the ones I do, he was a great example of someone who was busy, but still found time to do more for others. So many of the stories I had heard about Dallin always somehow involved what a straight arrow he was and what an example that is to me that we must always do what we know is right, even if it is different from those around us or isn't easy. It also helped to remind me how important it is that I put in the time each and every day to make sure I am doing all that I should. It's too easy to get caught up in every day life and let some of the more important things slide. How important it is to be consistent and dedicated to doing all we need to. Hearing Marie tell some of the things they've experienced just reinforced more that Heavenly Father is aware of all of us and knows what we are doing and blesses us with so many tender mercies if we will just look for and notice them. He loves us and never leaves us alone. What a blessing that is. I'm so grateful for the knowledge of the Plan and what great strength that brings in situations like this. What a blessing the gospel brings to my life and I am so grateful for it.

I want! I want! I want!

I absolutely love this picture from Pottery Barn, too bad it's $800!!!! Seriously, how can they charge that much? I'm hoping to figure out a way I can try and make it. I'd love to hang this in my house! Isn't it just amazing???