First Trip to Chicago

Chicago is only a 3 hour drive from Davenport. Justin and I have been talking about going ever since we moved out here and its now been a whole year! Justin's cousin and family are moving back to Utah this next month and wanted to go to Chicago one last time so it was perfect for us to go together. We all had some time off for the Memorial Day weekend so we packed up and left Friday morning and drove home Saturday night. We stayed in a little place close to the O'Hare airport and were able to take a shuttle to the airport where we could then take the train into downtown Chicago.

Friday we walked the Magnificent Mile and did some sight seeing. We went to the park, saw the huge bean, looked up at the Sears/Willis tower... To finish the night we just had to get some Chicago style pizza. We went to Giordano's for dinner and the pizza was amazing. It was filled with an outrageous amount of cheese but the crust was the best part.

The plan for Saturday was the Shedd Aquarium. There was a line two hours long to get in, but luckily we had a stroller for the little girls and there just happened to be a stroller line. So we only had to wait about 20-30 mins and got right in. There was so much to see and do there that you really could send all day exploring! (Justin and I did have to take a little break though to find a real Chicago hot dog for lunch.) 

We had tons of fun and were glad we got to share it with our cousins. Now we can go back and know what we're doing. We'll find more things to see and places to eat. We love good food and will travel to find it! 

   

On the drive home we were struggling to stay awake a little bit so after treating it with our caffeinated beverage of choice, Dr. Pepper, we decided to make lists of all the Disney movies we want to eventually own as well as musicals. It really helped keep us going through all the ridiculous toll roads!

Chicago is such a cool place and it was different than I was expecting. All the buildings are so unique, and everything is so close together. I'm so glad we could take trains and not worry about crazy traffic. I'm excited to go back and check out more of the city and go to stores and places that they just don't have in little old Davenport.

Summer Pasta

It's warming up out here in Iowa and summer is just around the corner. I love summertime. The warm sun, green grass, and the smell of sunscreen all make me so happy inside.

As Justin and I were planing out our menu for this week we were trying to think of some good meals for warmer days. I had been thinking along the lines of a pasta salad and so we combined our ideas to make this refreshing yet filling pasta delight! One thing that I love is a colorful dinner plate and this dish is full of color.

Summer Pasta

1 package of your favorite cheese tortellini (cooked to package directions)
1 cup cherry tomatoes (sliced in halves)
1 cup broccoli (blanched)
1/2 an avocado
1/2 cup garbanzo beans
green onion
Parmesan cheese
"Good Seasons" Garlic Herb dressing
S&P

This was so good with the sweet tang of the cherry tomatoes to the creamy avocado, I just loved it and can't wait to make it again. Next time I think we'll add some grilled chicken and maybe try some lemon zest.

The First Year

Our first year of marriage has been very eventful. So much has happened but it has all gone by so rapidly!

Honeymoon in Hawaii (one year ago)

• Justin graduated BYU the week before we were married
• April 30th we were married in Arizona
• We spent a week in Hawaii for our honeymoon
• Then back to Utah for a week and  to have an open house
• We bought a car 
• Rented a Budget truck
• Moved halfway across the country to little Davenport, IA
• Set up our first little home together
• I got a job, quit, and then got a better job
• Created a family budget
• Justin started classes at Palmer Chiropractic College
• Made some great new friends
• I flew to AZ for my birthday
• Got an iPhone
• Had Christmas with my family
• Have had 4 different callings in church (two steady ones now)
• Justin has had 2 different callings
• Started to run regularly
• Let my hair go darker
• Let Justin start to adjust me

Justin is now in his 3rd Trimester and we're almost a third of the way through Palmer. I will be a certified orthodontic assistant by this summer. I am so thankful for all the little miracles along the way that have got Justin and I to this point. We have been so blessed and I know that my Heavenly Father has been looking out for us.

I'm excited for what the next year holds and so grateful that it's Justin I get to share it with.

Our Anniversary Dinner