UTAH, to include Amber's Wedding and Easter

but not Dustin. (He was left behind working and studying.)

Amber + Chad Clayson

Married April 17, SLC 

Met up with Megan and Blake for a park date and dinner. Miss those two so much. Sad they're coming to Chicago after we leave. 

Easter Sunday we attended Sacrament at Brooke's singles ward and caused all sorts of chaos. Then I let Clara run around campus and destroy the flower beds the second hour. 

Of course she escaped down the hill and skinned her knees shortly after these were taken.

Easter ended with a basket. 

And she rode the donkey at Thanksgiving Point. Highlight of the trip. 

VA trip #2, Jacob and Maddy visit Chicago

At the beginning of April Clara and I flew to VA, again, while Dustin was in Portland and Denver and Colorado springs interviewing for jobs. Clara is 2 now (birthday pictures coming soon!) and I'm mourning the loss of her free lap child status. We took advantage while we could. 

Grandpa spent time reintroducing her to nature (dirt and grass were foreign to this subarctic city girl).

The rest of her time she spent with grandma at the piano. The girl was born loving music- singing, listening, playing. Funny, because I can't even carry a tune.

And then Jake and Maddy came to Chicago! Clara loves them. She still talks about them daily. 

We did all the essentials- deep dish, river architecture tour, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute, food and more food. Oh I'm going to miss the food here.

We made it to Frontera Grill (you have to make reservations months out- but so worth it!). Again, the food here!!

And it finally warmed up a bit for the park. So all is right in the world. 

VA + more sick + a birthday

Several weeks ago I flew home with Clara to spend some time with my family. Amber and her fiance Chad were home as well and so I was able to attend her bridal shower and temple endowment. I ended up being sick (miserable stomach issues) the entire week and could barely eat and Clara started throwing up at night near the end of the trip (found out she had strep when we got back). Otherwise it was a great time. 

Quick morning visit to Richmond to catch up with a few friends and pick up food.

The day after we returned to Chicago was my 28th birthday. I felt well enough to eat way too much of the carrot cake I baked myself. Dustin helped me throw together a little party to celebrate Gabby and Nicole and my birthdays which were all that week. This was before we realized Clara had strep so it explains her mood. Poor girl. 

I'm back to very blonde. And Clara's hair is more unmanageable than ever. And those slippers were too cute to resist.

Since I couldn't eat my birthday weekend and Dustin got the stomach flu the next weekend, we finally went out on a date for sushi and ice cream two weekends later. Both amazing. No doubt I'll miss Chicago's awesome food (among other things).

AZ, visitors, and a lot of sick

A summary of January and February with few words and many photos:

I give this girl credit for not driving the both of us too crazy (there was certainly some crazy) stuck indoors, constantly sick, during this longgg horrible winter. 

A windshield shot of our corner of Uptown. Someday I'll want to remember what it was like, even if I'm not too fond of it now ;)

Shedd aquarium with grandma and grandpa.

Ah, Arizona. Missed Jenna and her cute family so much. So grateful we could visit. 

It was warm and relaxing and wonderful.

And now I miss her even more.

And Kristin and M. came to visit! She's brave to make the trip on her own. And we always LOVE having them!