A new 'regular' and something new.
Our list of our favorite 'regular' restaurants in Chicago is VERY short. We are constantly trying new places and hardly ever go to the same place twice!! That being said, we have found a few favorites that we will go back to. One of which is 90 Miles Cuban Cafe. I loooove cuban food, and while this doesn't compare to my LA favorites, it comes pretty darn close. I love the atmosphere and especially the indoor heated patio (amazing in the winter!)

I'm pretty sure my cute husband was making his Words with Friends Move --

We were driving through Bucktown when I looked to my right and saw a whole store covered in this: 

Ryan did not buy me the Gourmet Velvet Heart that night.

It was too festive and fun NOT to go in. Once we walked inside this quaint, historic Chicago Ice Cream shop, I had to beg Ryan to make room in his belly for some ice cream!! It's been a Chicago Establishment for almost 100 years and was actually on my Chicago restaurant bucket list! We sat in a very cozy booth and read up on Wikipedia about it while we waited for our ice cream. It was such a fun detour on our way home. Love love love. 

Snugly in our booth!

Oh, and did I mention that it was January, I wasn't wearing my down coat & I did not even need gloves to hold my loves hand? Amazing!

I HAD to document it- no gloves in January!

2012
It's amazing we are 7 weeks into 2012 and I am just now writing my first post about the new year. We are VERY excited for things to come this year and have been enjoying an awesome Mid-West Winter so far!! It's been unseasonably warm this winter and we are really appreciating it!

We love watching the sun set every day. This one was spectacular.

Park in our neighborhood.

Sun coming through the L tracks.

Trump tower in the distance.

Chicago Public Library Atrium.

We've had more days snow-free than we probably should have, and also our average temps have been in the 30's vs. the teens!! I actually find myself wishing it would snow more so we could try and get out and enjoy a few winter sports....

We love Chicago and love calling it home!!

New Years
I'm going to try and catch up on my blog updates this week --- so to finish off our trip in Virginia, I wanted to share our New Years Eve.

As part of our Christmas Gift, my dad got my mom, sister and I a spa day-- inclusive of a 90 minute massage and 75 minute facial. AMAZING! It was so fun to spend time together and get to relax. The boys played football and so they had some quality time together as well.

Not our best photo but the only one we have!

The kiddos just couldn't get enough of their uncles!!

We made Philly Cheesesteaks for dinner and as an after-dinner activity we made gingerbread houses with the kids! (a delayed Christmas activity that was just as much fun on NYE).

Matthew's NYE Kiss!

After the kids went to bed, we had quite an uneventful evening. We stayed up and watched our favorite shows together and since most of us were also sick that week, one by one we went to bed early. Ryan and I, however, stayed up and watched the ball drop and shared a kiss and a NYE cheers!!

Washington D.C.

We heard an opera singer singing in the subway and so we followed the music and went to listen.

My parents are moving to DC and so as part of our trip we went to go see where they would be living. They found a house to rent in Kinsington, MD and they are excited for a new adventure  and all the perks city-living has to offer!! After lunch at Ben's Chili Bowl cafe we went to the American History Museum and then walked through the city. I love DC and am so excited for my parents! I have fond memories of living in DC for a summer as an intern and taking advantage of all the amazing great things there are to do there!

Williamsburg, Jamestown, Virginia Beach, York, Richmond


We essentially did a Virginia tour the week after Christmas! First stop, Williamsburg and Jamestown. I was excited to go to these 2 iconic American Cities because I have never been before. It was a really cool experience to see colonial Williamsburg, but I have to admit, my favorite was driving along Jamestown Island and seeing a glimpse of what the first settlers of America saw when they landed in America. 

I loved the Christmas decorations!

Yummy candy store.

Jamestown: 

Skipping Rocks.

Virginia Beach: 
We had a great time in VA Beach! We stayed at a cool colonial resort and ate at Waffle House for breakfast! Unfortunately, it rained the whole day so we made do with the weather and instead of the beach we went to the Aquarium! So much fun! 

York: 
On the way back, we drove through the battlefields at York. It was beautiful. 

 We also drove through Richmond to see the Tackiest Lights in America. It was AMAZING. Here's a teaser: 

 The next day we hung out in Charlottesville. The boys played golf and horseshoes, and Tarin and I stepped out for a little girl time, shopping and getting our nails done. We played Uno with the kids and hung out at home that night. I love down time with my family as much as traveling/playing!

Christmas!
Some people don't love going to church on Christmas Sunday, but let me tell you, it's my mom's favorite. It always has been, and I personally enjoy it to. I like getting dressed up, singing hymns and celebrating Christ. It was fun to wake up Christmas morning and see the excitement of the kids seeing their gifts from Santa (those presents are always unwrapped). And then after church, we did our traditional gift exchange. We also got to Skype with Ryan's family and be part of their gift exchange as well -- thank goodness for technology! The rest of the day flew by -- we had an incredible Christmas dinner (see photos below) and enjoyed the day together. 

Christmas!

Family Photo.

Family Photo #2

Hansen Family.

Gma and the babes.

Christmas photo.

Grandma Haines won most creative gift!

Butternut Squash Soup, Salad, Prime Rib, Mashed Potatoes, Rolls. AMAZING.

Family dinner picture.

 We had a wonderful day together!!