Thankful.

So thankful for my sweet husband. For our eternal marriage and the happiness he brings. Thankful for our health, for the opportunity we have to live in Chicago and serve here. Thankful for incredible parents who continue to teach us so much. Thankful for amazing families -- the love and support that they continue to give us. Thankful for our Faith; for scriptures and living prophets that make the hard days a little less hard. Thankful for my testimony of my Heavenly Father, that He knows me and loves me and sent His Son to die for me so I can live again. Thankful for friends who make life happy and enjoyable and are a shoulder to lean on. Thankful for the sun, for flowers, mountains, and this beautiful earth we get to enjoy every day. Thankful for a healthy body and the energy to do all that I wish and want and hope to do in this life.

I am thankful for Thanksgiving -- a holiday that allows us to reflect on our blessings and say Thanks.

Frank Lloyd Wright

I love open Saturdays when you can clean your house, go grocery shopping, work out and then still have time to explore. One fall Saturday afternoon we headed to Oak Brook, Il, a small suburb of Chicago to see Frank Lloyd Wright's work. This has been on our Chicago Bucket List for quite some time, but I hadn't really done much research to know what to expect. I found a website online that took us through a walking tour, so we figured we do that.

The neighborhood where Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio is in Historic Oak Brook is just gorgeous. With the crisp, warm (55 degree) fall air, we were in heaven strolling along gawking at these architectural wonders. It didn't take long to realize we wanted to tour Frank's home and studio, which we did and loved.

Love these colors.

It's amazing that we have access to the work that was so influential in American Architecture, right here in our backyard. See a few photos below-- and you better believe we will be checking out more of his work in Hyde Park, downtown, and wherever else we can find it!!

In Frank's front yard. Loving the Ginko Tree.

Frank's Logo

Studio.

Frank's house.

Ryan's favorite house.

Ginko Tree turning yellow.

A more traditional Frank house.

We stopped here for ice cream.

One of our favorite Frank Houses. The wood wrapped is so cool.

Loving my Ginko Flower.

I first fell in love with the Ginko Tree and these gorgeous yellow leaves.

Famous church built by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Just another gorgeous fall day.

We'll be back to Oak Park!

Cite: French with a View

We took advantage of a groupon for Cite, a restaurant at the top of Lake Point Tower, at the edge of the city and Lake Michigan. We were adventurous and tried escargot for the first time, which was surprisingly good when coated in butter and garlic!

The food was pretty good, the view was better, and we enjoyed a romantic evening together. I love Chicago and trying new restaurants!!

The view from our table -- looking southwest.

Sorry- I know these photo's aren't the best -- it was candlelit lighting in the restaurant! :)

Saturday Run.

Last Saturday was a gorgeous day. I took off on a run and fell in love with this city all over again.

Vietnam Memorial, day after Veterans Day.

The bridges lifting for the boats, one last time for the season.

I love how fall lasts forever in Chicago. We still get these gorgeous colors.

Red against the skyline.

Crossing the finish line.

We've been blessed with pretty amazing November weather. We have a few cold days here and there but by and large it's been a great month! We've been able to enjoy our city before cold really sets in.

The Devil in the White City. 

I'm part of a book club and hosted it this month. We read The Devil in the White City-- a fantastic book about Chicago during the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. All the details leading up to the fair, during and after. It's amazing the things that took place that impacted our world and shaped America for what it is today. A number of inventions were presented at the fair that we still enjoy! A few I put on display for Book Club: Juicy Fruit, Aunt Jemima's Pancake Mix, Cracker Jack, Shredded Wheat Cereal, Quaker Oats and Brownies! Yes, Martha Palmer had the brownie created to put in boxed lunches at the Women's Exposition.

I was glad to hear my friends enjoyed the book-- even the crazy psycho path part that is weaved through the storyline. I think the most fascinating part of the book is that it is a non-fiction. There are quotes pulled from old journals, newspapers, etc.

If you are looking for a new book to read, consider this one. Perhaps I am partial to it because it's about my city, but I love it!

Or just wait and go see the movie in 2013 when Leo is done filming it.

Leo brooding over the movie.

City-folks venturing out to see nature.

We have heard really great things about the Morton Arboretum, located out in the burbs, close to where Ryan works. We decided to take a day-trip and see what the hype was all about. We enjoyed a beautiful fall day; strolling through nature trails, quiet talks on benches, exploring to find large rocks. We left with a great appreciation for where we grew up -- where we could enjoy nature like this any time we wanted. 

I loved all the pumpkins!

 

The leaves were turning, excitement was in the air for the season change-- it's fun to get out of the city every once in a while! :)

We love to see the Temple.

We love to go to the Temple and feel our Heavenly Father's spirit so strong there. We feel so blessed to live close to a temple here in Chicago. Most of the time we choose to go in the evening and can't get a good photo. This time, the sun was shining and the leaves were oh so pretty.

Chicago Temple.

Chicagoween 2011: 

Remember how Chicago LOVES Halloween? (I talk about it here). Well, we love how festive the city gets, but October was just a crazy month and ultimately, we were party-poopers for Halloween this year. I was bummed because I didn't get a chance to get into it. AT ALL. I didn't even buy a pumpkin. Not ONE! So sad, right? To top it all off, Ryan and I were sick on Halloween. We stayed home from work and sleep pretty much all day. We had to bail on a Halloween Party and it was just really a sad sight to see.

The one festive thing we did do was enjoy the decorations in a Lincoln Park neighborhood. I LOVE how much Chicago gets into Halloween! They LOVE IT here. So fun to see all the decorations and enjoy the Holiday Spirit.

Creepy Taylor Lautner!

A personal pumpkin patch.

The biggest spider I have ever seen...

 I hope ya'll had a super fun Halloween!

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!