Chi-caaah-go

Last Thursday we headed to the airport at 9am to catch our 11:30am flight to Memphis then on to Chicago. Well...that's at least what was SUPPOSED to happen. After a long night and crazy morning of thunder/lightening storms, about a buh-zillion flights were cancelled at DFW. We were among the lucky ones who could not get on another flight to Chicago until THE NEXT MORNING at 7am.

SOOOOO sad



We waited for our luggage and headed home---until Conor McNulty hooked us up with his points at a nearby hotel--made the reservation for us and everything! (How cool is that guy?!?!) We were given strict orders from our amazing friends, who were already partying in Chicago, to NOT go home and to start our vacation at that very moment!



So that is exactly what Joe and I did---a little Thursday afternoon movie at the Studio Movie Grill in Arlington



Hit up Gloria's for some good food, good drinks, and great conversation with the hubster. (Trying our hardest not to get sad that we weren't with our friends as planned)



We called it a night around midnight to get ready for our 4am wake up call. This was the scene at the airport on Friday morning at 5am! All of these people were in ONE line, being helped by ONE, I repeat, ONE DELTA airline personnel. We waited for hours, and hours. Surprise surprise, our flight was delayed.



...and delayed some more...



We finally get to our layover in Cincinnati (or, "the 'natti" as Joe calls it) to waste away 4 hours at the airport Outback Steakhouse. We arrive at our gate to begin boarding and.....awesome. Flight delayed again.



Delirious by this point.


Exhausted.



Losing our minds.



FINALLY. Our plane arrives.



And our buddies are all there to greet us and pick us up from O'Hare (over 24 hours later...which felt like TWO DAYS later!) Suz, Gen, Jen, Mari



Chatty Cathy over here, filling the guys in on our *AWESOME* airport adventures. Conor, Brad, Joe



Chris & Suz


Catching dinner with Mari, Chris, Conor



Joe, Suz, Gen (J-Jen was back at the condo, playing the role of nurse to poor Brad who finally caught the icky "Murray family stomach bug" that had been passed around all week---POOR GUY!)



Suz, Gen, Mari



Saturday morning brunch at Rockit Bar & Grill (awesome place!) Mari, Chris, Conor, Gen, Jen, Brad (feeling MUCH better), Suz, and Joe...."Hey babe---where is your Minnesota Twins gear? After all, they are playing the cubbies and aren't you a huge fan???"



That's more like it! Supportin' the "family fav" (Steeces are from Minnesota)



The dudes headed to Wrigley for the game...



...while the gals shopped & sipped on Ghiradelli cocoa.



Hanging with the boys after the game---the atmosphere was amazing! Reminded me of tailgating at Aggie games (times about a billion). LOVE it. Joe, Chris, Conor



Our last night (boo, we just got here?!)...the girls all ready to go out and catch a Bob Schneider show! (One of our favorite Texas-based musicians!!!) Suz, Murr, Mare, Gen



LOOOOOOOVE this pic of these two hotties! J-Jen and G-Gen--------savers of my sanity when I was pregnant with quadruplets. Seriously don't know what I would have done without their constant love and support. I love them SO much! To read about our first trip and the background of our friendship, click HERE.




Not to mention this sweet thang and navigator of our trip (Mari used to live in Chicago). LOVE Mari SO much. We each have 3 boys/1 girl quads born in August 2007---so, we completely understand what each other is going through at the exact same time! Love her.

These fantastic couples mean the world to Joe and me. Our hearts physically ache when we leave them. We connect on SO many different levels and have such an awesome dynamic--each person bringing something different to the table. When we get together, it recharges the soul and revitalizes our spirits---just to know others that share our same life experiences. I just cannot even explain it. Joe and I are better parents, spouses, and friends with you in our lives and we love you more than words could possibly say.



Gen and Conor McNulty



Mari and Chris Goerlich



Brad and Jen Murray


Suz and Joe Steece



Sunday morning we had MORE airline drama! (Seriously numb by the time we got home) But we were excited to be re-routed to MN for a layover!



Joe's family is from Minnesota and I've always wanted to visit---so, the airport will have to suffice until we can plan a real visit!


We had an awesome trip and already miss y'all somethin' awful. (We will actually be playing with the Goerlichs in July when they bring the entire family to stay with us for a weekend! CANNOT WAIT!) Thanks again to our wonderful families and friends who make getaways like this possible. We have been blessed with the most incredible support system that anyone could EVER ask for and we NEVER take you for granted!!!

Hugs all around!

& Joe ;)