Chicago: Work & Play.

We had big work meetings in Chicago in October. It was a stressful time for me but I also got to enjoy have my sister in Chicago and my parents! Ashley is 7 months preggers, so we got to enjoy her new belly bump and go Maternity Clothes Shopping. I never knew maternity clothes shopping would be so fun (probably because we weren't shopping for me...)! We also treated ourselves to mani/pedis and a week-night concert.

On State Street.

After a couple of super busy/long work days we got to enjoy a couple of beautiful fall days in the city with mom and dad and Ryan. Thursday night we all went to Youth Group -- my friend taught a Self-Defense class to 30+ youth. Mom and I joined in the fun.

Dad's favorite hot dog of the weekend (yes, there were multiple hot dogs consumed!)

 We went on an Architecture Cruise and were blessed with the most beautiful day to be on the water!

Love these red trees.

I love my family!!

 Saturday morning we went to Lincoln Park with the intent of going to the Chicago History Museum, but the weather was so great & Lincoln Park was sooo inviting that we ditched the museum for the outdoors and enjoyed the Zoo!!

Aren't they the cutest couple ever?

My favorite Chicago Skyline with my favorite person. xoxo

Love having family in town!

Nike EMEA

I got to spend a few days at the Nike EMEA campus in Hilversum, The Netherlands. It's beautiful and vibrant and has an incredible energy there. I took a few photos:

So true.

Famous shoes Nike has created.

Nike Track/soccer field/etc. The ride sign says "Run. Like you've never run before"

Lobby. Love all the colors.

Running track made from recycled shoes on the campus. Love love love.

 Please note: My NikeAirFrees are amazing. They have been with me in Alaska, California, Denver, Brussels, Paris, Italy, Amsterdam. I take them everywhere.

Amsterdam: 

After a quick flight from Rome to Amsterdam we were excited for the last leg of our trip! It was a bit of culture and weather shock going from Italy to Amsterdam, but we adjusted.
 

Amsterdam is a beautiful city. We LOVE how bike-friendly it is (hello bike roads and stoplights) and the great energy there is there. The weather was the opposite of Italy, and I was so grateful that my husband made me pack my raincoat before we left the house -- I wore it every day I was there. 

Note our umbrella and how we are clinging to each other!

We spent our time touring the city, getting lost trying to find church on Sunday morning, and going through a few of the museums. We rented bikes and rode through the city & through a few parks. It was so fun (and admittedly more stressful than biking in Chicago).

Outside of church -- I had just changed into my comfy clothes after church ended.

Bike parking at the train station.

Ryan on the bike road.

On a quiet canal.

In an awesome park on our bike ride.

The flowers in Amsterdam were so beautiful. Gorgeous antique hydrangea everywhere and just beautiful flowers and green landscape. After visiting the Flower Market, I decided I HAVE to return to Amsterdam one day for the tulip festival. 

AMAZING.

Bulbs. Thousands of Bulbs. Maybe millions.

I'm pretty much in heaven at this point.

I loved visiting Anne Frank's House. It was a solemn and reverent experience, but also surprisingly uplifting given the context. It is truly a story of Hope. 

We loved the Canal tour -- and opportunity to admire the beautiful buildings and boat houses from the water. 

Note: The canal boat is enclosed-- nice and toasty inside!

Series of canals.

GORGEOUS!

I was sad to see Ryan go-- especially because it meant a I had to get back to work -- which would be a few very long days ahead of me.

Roma: The Eternal City.

Our first view of the Coliseum.

A short 3.5 hour train ride and we found ourselves in the Capital of Italy (and once the world) Rome. Our hotel was conveniently located near the Termini Train station, so it wasn't long before we had a few sandwiches in hand and we were off to explore.

Reconnecting with the deep history of Rome was also an incredible experience. Although its hard to fathom Romans walking the forums over 2000 years ago—we tried our very best. The Coliseum, the most intact ancient structure, was just amazing and helped bring it all to life. 

A cool tree at Palatine Hill.

Beautiful design work from Ancient buildings at Palatine Hill.

View of the Roman Forums and Rome from Palatine Hill.

This building was just enormous.

Ryan at the Forums.

My favorite part of the forums: The House of the Vestal Virgins. Such a beautiful tribute to these women.

  

Classic photo in front of the Coliseum.

 

Rome is best enjoyed at night – particularly at Piazza Novana. We were amazed at how the city transformed as soon as the sun set. A bustling city quickly turned into complete romance. It was lovely. Our evening walks were our favorite part of enjoying Rome. Eating outside on quite streets (pizza, pasta and gelato continued to be our staple meals) and enjoying the nightlife and charm of Rome. 

Amazing, right? The Victor Emmanuel Monument.

Campo De Fiori

Pantheon by night.

Making my wish at the Trevi Fountain.

The Vatican was unbelievable. I was grateful to have a guidebook to the museums so we could have some direction as to what to see and where to go. My favorite part of the Vatican was seeing Raphael’s rooms. Its such a cool experience to see art in-person that you have learned about your whole life.

In front of the Vatican Wall.

Then there is the Sistine Chapel. Wow. Wow. Where to start—and where to look? Unfortunately there are no photos allowed, so I can’t directly share what we saw, but again, a few reverent moments appreciating such incredible art and art that has shaped our society.     

As we walked from the Vatican over to St. Peter’s Basilica, it started to rain. And then rain harder. We tried to protect ourselves under the immense columns, but it did not work. Of course we packed umbrellas, but did not have the foresight to bring them with us, so we paid a few bucks to buy an umbrella so we could wait in line and not get soaked.

St. Peter’s is another immense and overwhelming place. It’s gorgeous and gaudy and filled with a history of its own. Leonardo’s statue is just breathtaking.  I love visiting churches like this for two reasons (1) They are incredibly beautiful and designed with every detail in mind. (2) The feeling inside a church like this is so different from the incredible spirit and feeling I feel in the Temple. It’s always a reminder and testimony to me of the House of the Lord on earth. 

We were lucky enough to be given a hop on-hop off bus ticket from fellow tourists, so we took advantage of wheels in the city and got to see the whole place by bus! It was so fun! And convenient for our tired feet. 

Our second trip to the Trevi Fountain.

One of the best things we did was rent bikes at the Borghese Gardens. It was such a beautiful park and felt like something locals would do ... 

In front of the Borghese Gallery.

 

Overlooking Rome.

We can't wait to return to Rome one day. It's a beautiful, vibrant city!