Our Chicago Adventure

Last weekend, we had the privilege of visiting my husband’s family in Chicago! Anytime we get the chance, we LOVE going to the windy city.

We flew up there and drove a big Budget truck back full of furniture from his family! I am so thrilled to actually have a dining room table & have an “office” set up in the extra bedroom.  I’ve mentioned it before on this blog, but I love furniture that has been passed down in the family…Some people don’t like that, but I sure do! I love the memories & stories that each piece has tied to it.  I love telling all of our visitors about everything in our house, where it came from, etc. & I just think it’s neat-o. 

More about our Budget truck trip back home in a minute, let’s talk about Chicago!

We arrived on Thursday & headed straight downtown to see the Cubs play at Wrigley Field! What a beautiful day we picked to attend my first Cubs game..The sun was shining bright & the Cubs won!







See that big backpack I’m wearing? {I don’t think you can actually see it from this picture, but it was big  AND heavy!} We packed up some nice(r) clothes in the backpack & we met Kyle’s parents downtown for dinner at Lawry’s The Prime Rib Steakhouse off of Michigan Avenue.  Can you hear my tummy growling just thinking about it? Major YUMM. It was quite the treat & we enjoyed every single bite!



Also, while we were in Chicago we got to hang out with our sweet friends, Rich & Jenna Tameling! They are a wonderful couple. Kyle & I wish we lived closer so we could see them way more often.  I think I could learn a thing or two from Jenna in the kitchen. She is quite the cook! She made Chicken Parmesan & an incredible salad for dinner.  {She also made the best Spinach Artichoke Dip I’ve ever had for our appetizer – Gotta get that recipe!}
After dinner, we walked around downtown Downers Grove & took them out for ice cream! Major Yum, again…


This weekend was a lot of fun, but it was also bittersweet.  Kyle’s sweet Nana went home to be with Jesus on Saturday morning {April 14}. She was a wonderful woman who has always been so active throughout her life.  I had the privilege of knowing her over the last 5 years.  Boy, have I been blessed by her!
I loved hearing stories Kyle’s trips to visit his Pa Pa & Nana’s house on Lake Michigan.
I loved hearing about Pa Pa & Nana’s little dog, “Buffy.”
I loved making 800 of Nana’s Special Recipe: “Cowboy cookies” for our wedding reception.
I love this sweet family so much & my heart goes out to my Mom-in-law as she goes through this…I can’t imagine. 
We know that Nana is dancing with Jesus right now & is so full of joy. Heaven must be an incredible place. Can’t wait to find out one day! However, I know that her husband {Pa Pa} and her daughters & their families are missing her greatly.  We get to travel back to Chicago in May to attend her Memorial Service.  We are really looking forward to this trip.

We enjoyed seeing other Phillip & Moore family members while we were in Chicago! We packed up our truck and headed out of town on Monday morning bright and early! Here’s my brother-in-law, Corey…Thanks for helping us load all that furniture. You’re a trooper!


So, Kyle and I set off to make our 17 hour drive back home to Dallas.  We listened to lots of music, played the ABC game too many times & had some great conversations.  We drove through Memphis, TN where Kyle insisted that we try some local Pork BBQ.  We were recommended to try a couple places like, “Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous” or “Lenard’s” but they were both closed on Monday. LAME! So, we found this little hole in the wall place called, “Tom’s BBQ & Deli”

Pretty sure “Tom’s” wasn’t in the best part of Memphis. Ha! However, we had seen online that this place was on the Food Network on two different shows because their Pork BBQ was just THAT good.  So, we had to try it…
Kyle got the ribs. I got the Pulled Pork. Not too bad.  The owner was AWESOME. He gave us extra sides & meat and really made us feel welcome.  Definitely recommend this place if you’re ever in the Memphis area!


After dinner, we headed to the Downtown area to get a Coke-float from another famous place we’d heard of, “Dyer’s.” It was delicious & we were stuffed.


While walking around, we passed a baseball stadium where Memphis’ minor league team the “Memphis Redbirds” were playing.  We said, “Well, Why not?” and we purchased tickets & went to the game!
Spontaneous Fun? Yes, please!



That night, we stayed in Little Rock, Arkansas & drove back to Dallas the next day. .It was a good weekend, overall!