Chicago Girls' Trip 2021...Day 1: The Christkindmarkt

One of my favorite things to do all year is going to Chicago during Christmas time with my girlfriends.  Sadly, we missed out on this tradition in 2020 with the Chicago Christkindlmarkt being closed due to Covid-19.  There is no way we were going to miss two years in a row!  The first week of December we headed North to Chicago!

We did all of our favorite things during this trip:  Lunch at Purple Pig, the Christkindmarkt, wine at Pops, shopping around downtown, and closing down the hotel bar at the Palmer House.  

We stayed at the Palmer House again this year and loved seeing all of the Christmas decorations around the hotel.

I love the Chicago skyline!  It was unseasonable warm while we were there.  We walked around the city without stocking caps.  

Not going to lie, I came for the gluhwein!

Enjoying the Christkindmart with my ladies.  The girls all joked about my perfectly-faced gluhwein mug for the photo.  Not my first rodeo posing with a gluhwein mug!

There was a Krampus stahl this year!

It is a shame that Krampus did not come to life and take them away!

Gluhwein ladies.  Michelle is officially not a fan of gluhwein.  I think I can get her to drink white gluhwein, but she does not like the traditional blend.  

We left the market and walked back to the hotel to drop off our purchases.  I ended up buying a German ceramic brewery building, which was one of the things I planned to buy in Germany this year and everyone else ended up with some ornaments.

The beautiful Christmas trees inside the Palmer House entrance off of Monroe.  

On our way to Pops for Champagne.  I will spare you the video I have of Michelle singing her Christmas song.

Sparkling rose, fried pickles, and cheese curds for the win at Pops.

In case you cannot tell, I love taking pictures of the Chicago skyline with the river and the corn cob buildings.

We could not pass up stopping by the Millenium Park tree.

Is it a visit to Chicago if you do not get a picture of the bean???

I love all of the lights on the tree in Millenium Park.  It is such a beautiful tree.

We ended our first night back at the Palmer House with an early night.  We had a full day after all!

Thanksgiving 2021...

 We spent Thanksgiving with our friends that feel like family, Rob and Michelle.  Michelle and I allowed for HyVee to do most of the cooking so that we could enjoy the day!  We enjoyed some of our fancy wine from Iron Horse.  

Michelle was saving her special bottle from Iron Horse for a special occasion.  Glad she was able to share it with me!

I wanted to get a picture with this crew, but not everyone was cooperating.

I gave up and tried to score some cheese to fit in with the group!

Someone had a great day at Aunt Michelle's!

So thankful for this girl!

We have a lot to be thankful for this year and every year.  I was very grateful for a holiday away from the hospital and time with family.

Wine Country Birthday...

Back in November, Ken took me on a birthday getaway to Healdsburg, CA.  He wanted to surprise me for my birthday and treat me for all the extra work I had been doing at the hospital.  It was such a pleasant surprise and I was so happy to make all of the arrangements.

I worked the two days prior to leaving and my hospital family spoiled me for my birthday.

The staff on my unit made me a sign and ordered specialty cupcakes for me the day prior to my birthday.  They were all so incredibly sweet to me!

We had an early flight to Oakland on my birthday.  We grabbed our rental car and drove to Petaluma for lunch.  We enjoyed lunch outside along the river at an Italian restaurant, which we tried in July 2020.  I think to date it is the best Italian food we have had in the USA.  

Our next stop was Iron Horse!  We cannot be so close to my favorite vineyard without stopping for a tasting.  Ken tried the still wine this time and I stuck with my beloved sparkling.

A tasting at my favorite vineyard, Iron Horse.

Happy Birthday to me!!!

We checked into our Airbnb in downtown Healdsburg and changed clothes to head out for drinks.  We ended up at Campo Fina for drinks and appetizers.  The next day we learned that this place is very difficult to get into and one of the favorites around Healdsburg.  Who knew?  

After drinks, we went to Willi's for wine and dinner and of course a piece of chocolate cake for my birthday dessert.  We called it an early night since we were pretty tired from our morning traveling.  

We started the next day with a run on the greenway trail around Healdsburg.  Afterward, we stopped at a cute French bistro for brunch.  We had a tasting set up at a winery in the Dry Creek area, so we got ready and started the beautiful drive.  We ended up driving up to Lake Sonoma which came with beautiful views.

Lake Sonoma

We wished we would have had time to hike!

After Lake Sonoma, we went to Dutcher Crossing for our wine tasting.  We sat outside and had beautiful views of the vineyard.  I think the vines turning Fall colors might be my favorite way to see the vines.  We enjoyed our tasting and even witnessed an engagement.  

Vineyard views at Dutcher Crossing

It was a beautiful, blue-sky day

Enjoying the beautiful day and the delicious wine!

Ken enjoying his tasting at Dutcher Crossing

The scenery was beautiful

Dutcher Crossing had several delicious reds and of course, we had to leave with a wine membership.

We ended the evening at a brewery in Windsor for dinner and drinks.  We had plans to go out for drinks around downtown Healdsburg afterward, but we were both tired and called it an early night.  I have to say, I have never had so much sleep on a quick trip like I did on this one!

We had a nice walk for coffee the next morning and flew home to see our girls.  Thank you Ken for the birthday getaway and spoiling me!

Chicago Marathon 2021

Back in October, I was fortunate enough to run the Chicago Marathon.  It felt so nice to be able to do something "normal" again!  Michelle and I flew to Chicago for a little girls' weekend.  

We stayed at the Embassy Suites across from one of our favorite places, Pops!  Friday night we spent the evening enjoying some sparkling rose!

 

Sparkling rose for the win at Pops!

The next day we did a little shopping and went to Bucktown for dinner.  On our way to the restaurant, we stopped at a local bar called Lottie's Pub.  We had to stop here since I have my own Lotti.  A funny side note, one of the residents that rotated in my unit told me her dog's name is Lottie after a bar in Chicago.  I told her that I knew exactly what bar she was talking about and showed her the picture below.  She could not believe that I had been there!  What a small world!

Camp Lottie at Lottie's Pub.  They go all out for Halloween.

Saturday night was pretty low key with me having an early wake-up call in the morning.  Ken sent me the photo below of some virtual cheering that he completed.  These would be displayed on the course and he wanted to make sure I saw mine!

Cheers from my biggest fans.  This was the sweetest thing ever.

I woke up early on Sunday and got ready and walked to the start line.  I called and talked to Ken on my way.  I told him it was quite warm and I planned to take it easy with the heat.  

It was a beautiful and warm morning for a marathon.

Lined up at the start line.  It felt so nice to be running Chicago again!

Boys Town is my absolute favorite!  I love the energy from the spectators.

The race was quite warm.  I maintained a 9:10 pace until the half and backed off during the second half.  I definitely did not train for speed this training session.

Marathon #13 finished in 4:24:12

Michelle met me at the finish line and we walked back to our hotel.  I showered and we headed out to one of our favorite places, the Purple Pig for a late lunch and wine.  

Halloween decorations at the Purple Pig

After overindulging ourselves, we walked to the Riverwalk to find a spot for a drink.  It was so beautiful out, that we found ourselves at City Winery.  We sat outside along the river and enjoyed a bottle of wine.  It was quite lovely.

Our view from City Winery

City views from the Riverwalk

Michelle was having a great time

I loved being back in Chicago

We decided to treat ourselves to brownie sundaes from Ghirardelli.  It has been so long since I have had an ice cream sundae.  It did not disappoint.

Absolutely delicious

We ended the night with the same view I started the morning with.  I love the Chicago skyline along the river.

It was a great weekend away!  I am excited to get to run the Chicago Marathon again in 2022!

Halloween 2021...

Halloween was on a Sunday this year and I had the day off of work.  It was a beautiful day!  The girls had on their Fall scarves and allowed me to get their pictures outside.  Kya had just woken up for a nap, so she looks a little sleepy!

 

Kya and Lotti, loving Halloween!

Kya always flatters me for about 30 seconds to get her picture.  She is over my antics after 15 years!

Not this one.  Meet Lotti the Poser.  She sat under the tree for a good 10 minutes posing for me to take her photo.

Lotti's daycare was hosting a trunk or treat, so we took our girl.  She got lots of snacks and even won some raffle prizes.  We got to meet all of the people that take care of our girl when she is there.  You can tell they all love her so much!

Mom and Lotti at Lotti's first Trunk or Treat

After the trunk or treat, we came home to get ready for the tricker or treaters.  This was our first Halloween at this house and we were unsure of how many kids we would have since we live in a cul de sac.  We bought extra candy to make sure we would have enough.  Sadly, we gave out Christmas candy because every place we went to was sold out of Halloween candy!  The Christmas candy would be the freshest available I suppose!

Lotti was skeptical about the tricker or treaters

Meanwhile, Kya is an old pro and knows how to greet some trick or treaters!

Mom and dad's treat for the night

My favorite picture of the night, and quite honestly the year.  Sweet sisters.  

Our best attempt at an all-girl photo.  These two little pumpkins are so sweet!

Kya was pretty exhausted from her Halloween!

We did not have a huge turn out of kids and we called it a night early since I had a 3:50 am wake-up call the next day.  All in all, we had a successful 2021 Halloween!