CONCRETE JUNGLE WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE OF

I can't stop thinking about New York.

Our trip there last year was magical.

Sometimes I day dream about living there.

In the meantime, I just listen to my "Classic Broadway Show tunes" Pandora station and look at pictures from our trip...


{eating NY-style pizza at Lombardi's}



{stood in the same spot my great-grandparents did when they came over from Italy & Sweden}



{saw West Side Story on Broadway}



{taxis in Times Square}



{imagined what it would be like to live in NYC}



{experienced the excitement of Times Square}



{strolled through Central Park}



{rode the Subway}



{almost as pretty as Chicago!}



{we fell in love with New York}

Have you seen this commercial yet? I get goosebumps every time!

 New York, we will be back!!!

I WILL NEVER FORGET

I was a junior in college.
A friend called me in my dorm room and said to turn on the TV.
My roommate and I watched as the events of September 11, 2001 unfolded.
I vaguely remember feeling anxious and wondering what would happen next.

Derek and I spent some time {unintentionally}watching movies about war this past week
...and I felt angry.

We watched Documentaries about 9-11
...and my heart broke, thinking about what it must haveve been like to have actually been there
in the midst of the chaos.

We reminisced about the trip we took to Ground Zero last fall.
Seeing everything being built up made me feel hopeful and proud to be an American.

And again yesterday at the start of the Bears game, I felt proud to be an American.
We waved our flags, cheered through the entire National Anthem, and saluted and thanked the men and women who have served and continue to serve and fight for our country and freedom.

I had goosebumps, a lump in my throat, and my eyes teared up.
I will never forget September 11, 2001.

LIFE GETS BUSY

I've been a bad blogger.

I've continued to read blogs each day, but I've just been too busy to keep up with my own.

Here's a little bit of what I've been busy with...







Traveling all over "France" with Carly.



Attending Renegade, an amazing craft fair, where I met the famous Elsie & Katie.

Celebrating my Grandma FINALLY retiring.

Hanging out with friends, watching the Bears win,
and eating fattening foods
in Dallas that kicked my blood sugar's butt.



Closing out the Summer at Ravinia with Dave & Jenny.



Hanging out with friends...who ALL have kids!
Yes, we were the only couple there without kids, and Yes,
we're OK with that :)



And getting blisters and black feet from walking
ALL over NYC!!!
Yes, we may have attended a football game,
but I don't wanna talk about it :(


What have you been up to lately?!?!
...off to another busy and fun weekend.