it was my birthday!!

and my mom came to visit and to celebrate my birthday and david passing his board exam.  it was so much fun and as expected, i was beyond exhausted by the time we dropped her off at the airport.

 we started the night by going straight to mr. b's for a fabulous celebratory meal.  so delicious.

 my mom tried her had at some photography-- this was the best out of a few blurry shots and an accidental video?  i love when that happens.

 then we woke up a little early on saturday and headed to the honey pie cafe for some great french toast and a little taste of milwaukee.  the crowd is always great for people watching here.

 my mom loved it.  you will too!  (come visit)

 then we went down to chicago and walked around and went on an architectural boat tour.

 gang's all here!  (humidity + rain does weird things to my hair--half straight/half curly all the way frizzy?!)

 of course as soon as we boarded the tour boat it started raining--but we braved the storm to the city from a totally different perspective.

 it was very cool seeing all of downtown without having to walk for miles and miles or having to brave the crazy traffic.

 the tour's midpoint was at navy pier.  we have yet to visit this park in our years in the midwest, but we might next weekend when tyler and amber visit.

after the tour we walked around and waited in some lines and my mom just really wanted a picture by the original portillo's.  (she loves the place!)

we also went a little crazy at le creuset and i'm thinking i might need a few more shelves for all of my beautiful pots and pans.  (thanks again mom!  i'll post when david makes soup in his special soup pot).  we did a little baby shopping for the grandbabies and we stayed up late chit chatting and having hilarious text convos with my aunt carma.

it was such a great weekend!  i can't wait until my mom's next visit.