Our Anniversary Trip to Chicago!

We celebrated 5 years of marriage on May 15th and had planned to just drive down to Austin to celebrate. We have a long list of places we would like to travel to,  so we decided we would go to Chicago for our 5 year anniversary instead. We found super cheap airfare and used Beau's hotel points for the stay--perfect little getaway. We stayed two nights and my sister and my parents kept the kids. My parents took us to the airport and the kiddos rode along. When we got to the airport, I was giving hugs and kisses and saying my goodbyes when Witten said: "I going to wait too long." Talk about breaking my mama heart! I assured him, I would be back very soon (he's a mama's boy big) and kissed him. I walked away and cried big, ugly tears, it just broke my heart. He does not like being away from his mama. 

When we arrived in Chicago, we took the transportation to downtown. It was a lot like the subway, but also like the dart. Half of the time it was below ground and other times above. 

We checked into our hotel and made our way to Gino's East for pizza. It was very good and probably our new favorite pizza. 

We stayed at the Westin River Center. We were close to the top and had a great view of the river. 

The pizza at Gino's East did not disappoint! It was delicious. 

After lunch we did some unplanned shopping. We forgot our jackets and it was also in the 40s. We had tickets to go to a Cubs game that night and knew we were going to freeze. So, we searched for jackets and found nothing. So, we bought a huge blanket to at least cover up with at the game. Boy, was it COLD. 

The game was nothing like we had expected. There wasn't a whole lot of energy and it was just plain boring compared to our Rangers games. We were freezing & bored, so we left after the 2nd inning. 

We decided to get dinner once we got back into downtown. A few friends suggested Portillos'. It was very good. 

The peppers and carrots were so good on the Italian beef sandwich. 

When we got back to our room, there were nuts, strawberries and wine waiting for us. 

I did some face timing with Kinsley before bed. Witten was already asleep, apparently Kinsley stayed up late in Shelly's bed. 

The next day, we took the city tour bus. I always enjoy doing these because they're informational and you can also use it as transportation if you get tired of walking. 

There were tulips all along the medians and parks. My very favorite flower. 

The Target was 2 floors and fancy.. my favorite store!

For lunch we grabbed sandwiches and ate in the park. 

The bean!

Buckingham Fountain

We stopped for some people watching and to relax. 

Love this guy. 

After our tour of the city, we went back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. We went to the top floor for happy hour and had some drinks. 

We got ready for dinner and it was pouring, so we got an uber to take us to Ruth's Chris. 

Our server made the best cream brûlée with an amazing milk over it. Delicious. 

In the sky box. It was a neat experience. 

The view from the top of the Willis Tower. 

Garrett Popcorn is the best!

Breakfast in bed the last morning. Chicago was fun. We had a fun, little getaway, but we were happy to be back to our kids. 

These kids are our whole world and we were so happy to get back to them. 

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

I have been away for a couple weeks, we have been so busy!

Today I am sharing Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes with you. These are fun, summery, and oh so good. My mom made these for me when I was a kid and I completely forgot about them until I saw them on Facebook one day. So, I decided to make them with my kiddos. We went to the store and got all of the stuff. My daughter was so excited, she loves baking the kitchen with me. I was keeping my nieces one night and decided that would be a fun activity. It was fun and they all really enjoyed it! We chose to do tie-died cupcakes. 

Ingredients

1 box of white cake mix

3 eggs

1 cup of water

1/3 cup of vegetable oil

24 count ice cream cones

food coloring

sprinkles

2 tubs of frosting

mini muffin pan (makes the cones more sturdy)

Preheat oven to 350. 

In a mixing bowl, mix together cake mix, eggs, water and oil. Stir for 30 seconds. Then, mix on medium for 2 minutes. 

Decide on how many colors you want (we chose 3, so I am giving instructions based on 3 colors).

Split the batter 3 between 3 bowls and add your color to each one. Mix well. We chose neon colors, pink, blue and green. 

Put a spoonful of batter into each cone. You will fill it about 2/3 full. Get a popsicle stick and swirl it around (by going up and down with the stick), just a tad bit or it will just a mix up. Place the cone into one of the muffin spots. 

Once you have filled them all (makes 24), place them in the oven for 16-22 minutes. Insert toothpick, it will come out clean when they are ready. 

Remove from the oven and cool completely. Remove from the pan and frost them completely. If you want more fun, add sprinkles! I let my kiddos decorate them. I put a plastic cloth on the table, passed out tons of sprinkles, put the icing in bags and let them pipe it out. They had a blast! 

These two were in their element! 

Witten really enjoyed putting sprinkles on one at a time. :)

My niece was so excited and loved it so much, she started eating hers before she added sprinkles. :) I didn't get a shot of hers because she started eating so fast! :)

Enjoy! We had so much fun! 

What's Up Wednesday? May Edition

Happy Wednesday! Today I am starting a new link up on my blog with Mix & Match Family, The Larson Lingo, and Pinterest Told Me To. The last Wednesday of every month, I will do What's Up Wednesday and answer the questions below. Link up, it's fun to see what everyone is up to..... 

What We Are Eating This Week:

Meal planning is one of my favorite things to do. I sit down and make a "menu" for the week and go to the grocery store. If I do this, it holds me accountable and I have all the ingredients for the meals at home (EVEN BETTER). Sometimes I do have to make a small trip to the store for fresh foods (veggies, fruits, etc). 

This week though, whew this week.... I have nothing. It's a fly by the seat of your pants type week because we just can't get back on schedule after our trip. My kids have been sleeping until 9:30 or 10 and so have I. I am going to work on getting back on some sort of schedule next week. Wish me luck!

What I'm Reading:

I am really not reading much these days. 

This is the next book I plan on starting soon:

If you are looking for books to read, check here. This is a very small list, I plan on doing another post soon on fiction and other fun books. I am also doing a list of good, fun children's books. I get asked at least once a week about books I read with my kiddos or if I have any new suggestions. I am a book lover, but especially kids books (perhaps it's the teacher in me?)

What I'm Reminiscing About:

I have been reminiscing about my kiddos being babies. Kinsley is already 4 and is going to pre-k.... I can not believe my baby is going to be 3 in a few months. Where has the time gone? I love the age they are now, but I really miss the baby stage too. 

What We've Been Up To:

We have been going nonstop for about 2 weeks. First, we went to Chicago for our 5 year anniversary. We had so much fun! We got back, packed and left the next day for Colorado. We were gone for 5 nights. So, needless to say, we have been staying home lately to recoup. haha.

What I'm Dreading:

Swim lessons... haha. Both kiddos are starting soon. While we wait for Kinsley, Witten does not like to sit and wait. So, the 30 minutes seems like an eternity. Not to mention, I do not think Witten is going to enjoy it!

What I'm Working On:

I have been working on getting my Young Living up and going. I am also working on my blog and getting the house organized. The big thing is my kid's closets.... I have boxes and boxes of clothes! YIKES!

What I'm Looking Forward To:

I am looking forward to our trip to the beach at the end of June. It's an annual tradition and so much fun! It's our family, both of my sisters and their families and my parents. There are 8 kids total, 5 that are 5 and under. It's so much fun! 

What I'm Wearing Today:

I am wearing lounge wear! haha... I normally wear capris, shorts, just a simple top during the summer. 

What I'm Excited About:

Again, our trip to the beach!

In June we are going to Galveston with my family. Some of my favorite memories growing up and now passing them down to our kids. It's a BLAST!

What I'm Watching:

I can not remember the last time I turned on the tv in our house. Seriously. I am not much of a tv person and my kids aren't either. 

What I'm Listening To:

The kids and I have been listening to the Disney Junior DJ Shuffle album a lot. We also like Uptown Funk lately. Miranda Lambert's "Little Red Wagon".  We have been dancing and singing in the afternoons when I like to call it, "the witching hours". 

What I'm Annoyed By:

All of this rain!!! It has seriously been raining for 8 weeks!!! It's crazy.... I am beginning to wonder if we will ever be able to head to the pool.

What I'm Hoping For:

I am hoping that the rain will stop so I can start my garden and get in the pool.

What else is new:

There's not a whole lot of new going on at the moment. 

So... What's Up With You? Comment and let me know what you're up to... :) Don't forget to follow me on instagram: https://instagram.com/christyd2010/

STAY TUNED FOR MY UPCOMING GIVEAWAY! DETAILS COMING SOON. :)

Have a great day!