It is also important to note that I conquered my fear of bikes. After the 1999 run in with the pedestrian, I will never be the same (and neither will she), but I got on a bike and rode it like a champ after some coaching from Tennille (thanks Tennille!). It was really fun albeit a little chilly. There was one frightening moment when a pedestrian walked across the path S-L-O-W-L-Y in front of me, but I didn't hit her!
There were so many memorable moments of the trip, so we tried to write them down. Here is the quote list from the Chicago trip:
At the airport at 5:30am:
Laura: 'Am I wearing two different shoes?!?'
(she wasn't, but isn't that something you check before you leave home?)
Laura's dad as he is dropping us off at the airport:
'Are you sure you don't want earplugs?'
'Last call for earplugs!'
Laura in the bathroom:
'I think I will sit in this one!'
Laura has a peanut allergy, so we are getting breakfast at the airport:
Laura: 'Do you think this has peanuts?'
Amy: 'Since we are boarding a plane, choose something you don't suspect has peanuts... unless you have an epi pen I don't know about.'
Walking to Security:
Amy: 'Ready for the cavity search?'
Laura: 'And I'm not talking about searching your teeth. Hey-oh!'
There was a runing theme of me taking my clothes off. But hey, for security- they really do make you disrobe quite a bit. Also, when I was in Chicago, we were leaving a Tapas restaurant/bar, and this drunk guy untied the back of my shirt. I didn't freak out- I just calmly re-tied it while Tennille gave the guy a death glare.
Throughout the trip, we had some interesting/new experiences like riding the El with luggage with 3 different transfers(we made it though!). Every time Laura felt out of her element, she could be heard muttering to herself under her breath, "be cool.... act normal...."
Laura: 'We are cool! And normal!'
Amy: 'Or maybe just cool.'
After the Cubs game let out on Saturday, the El was PACKED, and we had to stand the whole ride. Very close to this poor guy. Who was sitting. After we got out, Maggie said, " How awkward was it when Laura was giving that guy a lapdance?"
Maggie: 'Laura, your hands look like you work with wood.'
Maggie (later the next day): 'Laura- look there is Wrightwood Street... that's what she said. That's where you would live.'
Tennille: 'Wear my new helmet.'
Amy: 'But you're smarter than me- you should wear the new one.'
Tennille: 'I know, but I would feel bad if something happened.'
Maggie: 'Is it a bra? Is it a parachute? Is it a rubberband?'
Laura: 'There has got to be crack in these almonds... they are so good!'
Amy to Laura: 'Sometimes being with you is like knowing the circus.'
The other theme of the weekend was eating. If you ever go to Chicago, please eat at Sensational Bites!
Amy: 'I need to run off this carrot cake.'
Laura: 'Run off the cake- keep the carrots!'
And the pizza at Art of Pizza was wonderful!
Amy to Laura: 'It looks like you're making out with the pizza.'
Laura: 'And it's a good kisser.'
Later, in the middle of the restaurant...
Amy: 'What are you doing?"
Laura: 'Listening to my wedding song on my cell phone.'
Amy: 'Right now?!?'
And last but not least:
Amy: 'I have got to go to the gym tomorrow. We have been eating all weekend.'
Laura: 'The first rule of eating club is that you don't talk about eating club.'
Mike and I were able to go to Chicago to see some good friends and eat some amazing food! This is us at Pizzeria Unos which was amazing! 
We were even able to meet up with Maggie at Bongo Room- the coconut carrot pineapple pancakes were to die for- and I'm pretty sure Mike enjoyed his red velvet pancakes!
Chad and Jana were amazing hosts and showed us all the awesome places around! We even got some tamales from the tamale guy- straight out of his cooler!
This was the scene much of the weekend- the boys on the floor, cross-legged, playing Super Monkey Ball boxing.
On our way to Millenium Park for the tennis show down.
AAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDD... the new room! The floor is finished and looks amazing (Thanks Mom and Dad) and the walls are done and the baseboard is in and windows re-framed. Check!
The details at the top of the windows- great job Dad!
A handy tip for all you out there: putting baseboard up with wax paper behind it- just cut with exacto knife and peel away- no mess!
Hard at work painting!
