Could Chicago be any better?!?!?

Wednesday Mom and I ran errands and then we had lunch with another one of my Mom's best friends (she is also my godmother). We ate at Egg Harbor Cafe in Geneva. They have the best salad dressing! We then went shopping in downtown Geneva. Geneva is a great family town. It is so quaint and cute. I'm going to really miss it!

That night, I had dinner with 3 of the teachers I used to work with at Ferson Creek. I love hanging out with these ladies and we always have a great time. I also love hearing about all the crazy things going on at the school. It just makes me more and more sure that I left at the right time.

I didn't take any pictures on Wednesday so none to include in the post :)

Summer has finally begun!!!!

I have been a horrible blogger the past 3 months! Life just got a hold of me and didn't let go. Since 2011 is halfway over, I better pick up the pace and start blogging again :) So, since today is July 1st, I'm going to try to commit to posting once a day for the entire month. I have a lot to catch up on since the last time I posted and a lot going on this summer!

I'm currently in Chicago on vacation. I've been here for a week and leave on the 4th. Its slightly bittersweet because this might be the last time I get to come to Chicago, sleep in my old room, see my old house, eat at all my favorite places, and just enjoy the city. My parents are officially moving. To Houston. Yes, that's right, they are following me. And it's about time. My dad has been working in Houston for the past 1 1/2 years and my Mom and him having been doing the long-distance marriage thing. This is something I hope I never have to do. I tried it with a past boyfriend and it didn't work out so well. I guess people do what they have to do but it would not be fun. Anyways, the house is for sale and the estimated moving date is October. So that means no more Thanksgiving or Christmas break visits, no more snow (or White Christmases), no more downtown Chicago traditions. I'll be glad to have my family back in one place but I'm a little sad about the whole thing.

Well, since this might be my last time in Chicago, I've been living it up this week. Since my dad is working in Houston, its just been my Mom and I until today. I love my mom and love that I've gotten to spend the entire week with just her. Its been a special time. I got to Chicago late Saturday night. My first stop was to here:
It was yummy!

Then on Sunday we went to the local farmer's market. I love farmer's markets. They don't have things like this in Houston.

This also happened to be the weekend of Swedish Days in Geneva. The parade was getting ready to start so we stayed and watched a good portion of it.

We also brought this boy along with us. He is a people magnet. EVERYONE wanted to pet him and compliment him and love on him. And to be honest, who wouldn't love this face?

We finished the day with a meal at Culvers. I love Culvers and their custard. The closest one in Houston is about an hour away :(

It was such a perfect day and the weather was perfect the whole day. It was a great first day of vacation!

The Vatican and more of Rome...

Day 2 of Rome was spent touring the Vatican. We did a guided tour which was worth the price because our tour guide was able to tell us everything there is to know about the Vatican. It was such a cool experience!

The outside of the Vatican

One of the courtyards in the Vatican

One of the hallways-

A bathtub

A tomb-

One of the few gold statues in the Vatican-

Guards-

St. Peter's Basilica-

Random Rome Pictures~

When in Rome...

The second weekend I was in Europe, we went to Rome for the weekend. Rome is a fantastic place and we did all the tourist things that Rome has to offer. We spent Friday seeing Ancient Rome and then Saturday at the Vatican (pictures will be in the next post because I got tired of uploading). Rome is definitely in my Top 5 places I have visited. Even though it was soooo hot and we walked soooo much, I had a ton of fun. Maybe one day I'll get to visit this fabulous city again!

At our hostel the first night

Cool looking building

Gelato is really good!

Trevi Fountain

The Pantheon-

Piazza Navona

Spanish Steps

The Colosseum

The Roman Forum

Where Caesar was killed

Rome had water fountains everywhere and the water was free!

After exploring all of Rome, it was time for dinner!

That pretty much sums up Day 1 of Rome. I took a lot more pictures but it takes to long to upload them all so I only put up a sample. Day 2 will include all my Vatican pictures!