It's been a while....

...Since my last blog. My blog was locked for more than a week and I still don't understand how that happened! In the past couple weeks, we have been getting ready for the holidays and also, we've been on the road (big surprise!).

Last Thursday we left for Branson, MO. Matthew had a steering committee meeting for Winterfest. While he was in his meeting, Jenn (whose husband was also in the meeting) and I went to the outlets to shop and catch up -FUN! Later on we met the guys for dinner and walked around Branson Landing (more shopping). Then we got in one car and went to see a Christmas light display (2.5 miles on the mountain). We had a great time!

The next morning, Matthew and I drove to the Chicago area. We stayed with a friend in the suburbs over the weekend. This trip was for my birthday. Although my family traveled quite a bit growing up (my mom was a travel agent), one city we never visited was Chicago. Friday night we were invited to a Christmas banquet and the next day they took us to the Radio City Rockettes Show. It was fabulous! We couldn't take pictures during the show, but the costumes and choreography were so elaborate.

Later on Saturday, Matthew and I drove into the city. He and his family lived in Chicago Metro over ten years ago, so he had visited and even remembered how to drive to certain places (I was impressed). We found deep dish pizza at Giordano's and walked around and shopped on Saturday night. Although we walked past the Sears Tower, we didn't go to the Observation deck. On Sunday, we started at Navy Pier and from there we walked to Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile). We visited Millennium Park and shopped. I took a lot of pictures because the city was decorated for Christmas and it was snowing some, too. It was beautiful!

We drove home on my birthday and stopped in Des Moines for my birthday lunch at PF Changs. We had such a wonderful weekend and I'm so thankful to have a wonderful husband who is always full of surprises!

YUM!