Girls' Weekend- Chicago

Last year my college girlfriends and I started a new tradition... girls weekend away.  We all graduated from college together in 1998.  Since then, we've stayed in contact and gotten together in various combinations- homecoming football games, weddings, baby and wedding showers, visiting each others' homes, taking road trips.  But we never made a point out of taking one weekend a year and getting together just to catch up on each others' lives, eat, drink, and leave our daily responsibilities behind to spend some fun time together.  Last year, the girls treated Marley and me to a weekend in Indianapolis.  This year, we decided to go to Chicago.  We all found someone to take care of our kiddos (thanks, Beth and Doug!) and headed to the Windy City for our weekend getaway.

Since we were going to be downtown, some of us came by plane, some by train, and some carpooled or drove alone.  On my way up 65 to meet Melissa to hitch a ride into town, I passed a windmill farm that I didn't know was there...

These things are amazing!  I never really knew or appreciated how huge they are.  There's a certain grace and organization to a windmill farm that appeals to the symmetrical geek in me.

After a few wrong turns, Melissa and I finally made it to the

where the other girls were waiting in the pub.  After some appetizers and a few drinks, we headed up to our rooms to unpack and relax together. 

We missed "E", who is part of our group but wasn't able to come this year, and for good reason...she's pregnant! 

Woo hoo!

The next morning, we had a great brunch and headed out to spoil ourseleves with mani/pedis...

Here's the finished product...

Then we headed out to do some shopping!

And more eating, of course.

To finish off the day, we went back to our room for drinks and goofing off.

Not sure what was so funny...

...but I love this picture!

On the morning of our last day, we headed out to beautiful

and did the "tourist" thing.

At this point I should admit we got a little lost.

Ok, we got a LOT lost.

All in a four-block radius.

All too soon, it was time to gather for one last photo before we headed our separate ways.

It was so nice to catch up with these girls that I used to spend each and every day with all those years ago when we were in college.  Our lives have changed so much since then...husbands, babies, life's ups and downs...but our bond remains strong and we can always just pick up where we left off.

I love these girls!

Can't wait till next year!