Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Our Quick Trip to Chicago

This past weekend, we jumped on a plane on Friday night and landed in Chicago around midnight! Saturday morning, we woke up and had the opportunity to attend and be a part of Nana’s (Kyle’s Grandmother) Memorial Service.  She was a wonderful and beautiful lady who we will miss SO much.  It was a pleasure to be able to travel back to Kyle’s home for the weekend to spend time with family and remember our sweet, sweet Nana. 
Here is a picture of me with Kyle’s Nana & Papa at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin in July of 2008. Nana & I were stylin’ wearing the same sunglasses!
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Her Memorial service was perfect and beautiful.  All of her grandkids spoke and did a wonderful job portraying her beauty & the legacy that she’s given to her family.  Listening to each person speak and thinking about Nana reminds me of Proverbs 31.
“A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her.She brings him good all the days of her life
….She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks
….She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her
…Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

After Nana’s Memorial service, we spent some nice quality time with the family.  We ate lots of food, played games, ate more food, got to catch up on life, and then ate even more food.  It was great fun.  Here’s a picture of all of Papa & Nana’s grandkids.  {Katie, if you are reading this…I stole this picture from you! Thanks for taking it..I’m kicking myself for not getting my camera out!}
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On Sunday, we enjoyed time together with Kyle’s parents and siblings! The weather was perfect, so we played a little “Up the River, Down the River” outside on the deck.  We played this game a lot this past summer on our Alaskan Cruise…so it was fun to play it again.
Here we are as a little fam…and, then there’s Corey, Kyle’s younger brother…ha! I couldn’t help myself…I had to zoom in.  This pic is so GREAT! I didn’t even noticed that he made this face until I uploaded my pictures onto our computer a few minutes ago. HA!
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While playing cards, we spotted a little bunny in the yard! Although, after trying to feed the bunny some carrots and helping him (because we thought he was hurt), we decided that the bunny was just messed up in the head.  He was doing flips and jumps and other strange movements I’ve never seen a bunny do before…it was quite odd.
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We played a few games of knockout basketball and Kyle & his older brother Chris played golf in the front yard. Not sure how the game actually worked? All I know is I kept seeing golf balls fly OVER the house. Interesting. Looked fun, though! Meanwhile, Jodi and I entertained ourselves by doing cartwheels and riding bikes.
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After about a 48 hour visit, we headed back to the airport to began our long adventure back to Dallas.  Chicago had some severe thunderstorms on Sunday evening, so our flight kept getting delayed. 
Here we are sitting & waiting FOR.EV.ER. at the Chicago O’Hare airport.  At least we found some nice chairs to sit in, right?!
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Needless to say, we arrived back to our house in Dallas around 4:00 a.m. And, yes, our alarm clock went off at 6:00 and Kyle had to be at work by 7:00 a.m. It was a loooong day, but we’re slowly catching back up on sleep!

Friday, April 20, 2012

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

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Bluebonnets in FULL Bloom!

Kyle and I arrived back in the Big D yesterday! We pulled up in front of our house in style driving a BRAND NEW…15 foot Budget Truck. Ha!  We were in Chicago this past weekend visiting family.  Kyle’s parents & grandmother generously gave us some furniture to help fill up our new home & we are so thankful!   The truck we rented just happened to be brand new. Score! More on our Chicago trip in the next post.  Let’s talk about Abilene, Abilene, The Prettiest Town I’ve ever seen….


The weekend before, we went to Abilene for Easter to see my family!
While we were there, the bluebonnets were in FULL bloom, so, what did this Fowler family do?

I could tell you, but why don’t you see for yourself?!
Family picture in bluebonnets
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Kyle LOVED posing for pictures with me. In fact he said, “This is like taking Engagement Pictures all over again.” Ha! Since he is originally from Illinois, I don’t know if he really understands the purpose of the tradition of taking annual Bluebonnet pictures. Nevertheless, he was a trooper & participated without a complaint. Thanks, dear!

The one above turned out to be my favorite!

Stay tuned to hear all about our adventure to Chicago this past weekend.
Have a wonderful day!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Labor Day in Florida

The hubs & I had a blast in Florida over Labor Day Weekend celebrating our 1 year anniversary! I'm beginning to think that it was a GENIUS idea to get married over Labor Day Weekend. Since we have a holiday on Monday, we will always have a 3 day weekend to celebrate our anniversary!

However, there is one little thing that just might get in the way of our anniversary celebrations later on down the road....  This thing is called "Opening Weekend for Dove Hunting Season" which just so happens to be Labor Day Weekend, every year. So, with that being said, Mr. Phillip, I really appreciate you spending your weekend with your wife of 1 year. :) To my dad, brother & all of my husband's friends who invited him to go dove hunting this year...SORRY! :)

We'll see what happens next year & the year after that... hmm....


We actually didn't take many pictures of our trip, but here are a few from my phone:


We had a blast laying on the beach in Fort Lauderdale & we loved DisneyWorld!
It was a perfect anniversary weekend!  

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Hello there, 1 year anniversary!

A year ago this weekend, we got MARRIED!

It's amazing to me how fast time flies. 
Our wedding feels like it happened yesterday.
I tried my very best to remember every detail of that beautiful September day.  All of my friends who were married before me told me, "It goes by so fast, so remember every moment!" Needless to say, I don't remember every single detail, but I do remember what an unbelievably gorgeous day it was and how powerful the Lord's presence was as we celebrated our union as husband & wife!

Without further adieu, here are a few photos from September 4, 2010...enjoy!















It's been an adventurous and joyful journey.
We're loving every minute of being married & can't wait for the many years to come!


So, to celebrate our first anniversary, we are going to....
FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA!!!
(Our senior year we went with Travis, Lindsay & Sandy-Mom to Ft. Laud over spring break! This is us @ the beach!)


While we're in Florida this weekend, we are also making a trip to Orlando to go to DISNEYWORLD!
(Yay for wonderful in-laws who are willing to let us enjoy the family condo in Ft. Laud to celebrate our anniversary!)

Hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!