Pictures of the Blue Angels

Ok...so I took about 100 pictures at the air show! I was just crazy about it! And, I was trying to watch so I would just point my camera and hope I caught the shot while watching and screaming "OH MY GOSH, How do they DO that?" while grabbing Matt's arm or slapping his leg. It's a miracle I got any planes in any of the pictures but I did, and here are a few of my faves. Cropped and zoomed in of course!


They did this a few times and every time I think I had a mini heart attack! They would wait until the last minute and either flip on their sides or one would flip upside down and they would just barely miss each other! I'm sure their mother's have never seen them perform these stunts or else she died of a heart attack b/c if that were my child...I would be in hysterics!


Look at how close and in perfect alignment they're in...no telling how many hours they have to practice. So beautiful! And it was the perfect day for an air show!


This was towards the end of the show. They flew in from the lake and then right as they were approaching the crowd, they split. Behind all of us is the Chicago skyline (it runs all along the lake shore) so we're all trying to follow the planes and one of them flies right past an apartment building! I would've peed my pants if I lived in that apartment!
Side note: next year Matt and I would LOVE to watch from one of those boats! Best seat in the house, for sure.


Me trying to recreate the shock of what I just saw! No peeing in the pants though...


And of course, a cute picture of us enjoying our day at the lake!

Chicago Air & Water Show!

WOW! I've never been more in awe! Of course there's lots to do during the Chicago summers, Lollapalooza, Cubs games, Taste of Chicago, but in my own personal opinion if you're going to come to Chicago in the summer...you HAVE to come the weekend of the Chicago Air & Water Show! It's a FREE 2 day event where you get to see planes and helicopters do the most amazing things! I was so full of shock, awe, fear (some moments you didn't know if they were planned or accidental it was crazy!) and most importantly pride for our country and those who are brave enough to serve and protect us!
Matt and I spend Saturday out on the beach watching planes and helicopters do the unthinkable!
Who knew a helicopter could do flips and whirli-gigs?! And who knew that planes could free fall and do cart-wheels in the air and fly upside down!? I mean, it was just insane! I almost had about 30 heart attacks and grabbed Matt's arm going "Oh my gosh!" a thousand times!
The Blue Angels were my favorite. Their precision and skill is just beyond anything I had ever seen before! Seriously, if you get the chance to ever see them...GO! You won't regret it! Pictures coming soon!!!

Dinner for one...

OK. I don't want to hear it if I turn out to be a bad cook! After 2 years of "cooking" for Matt & I, it's back to just me. Which I like. GASP! There I said it. It's not that I don't like cooking, I've just never been that comfortable in the kitchen. I'm not a horrible cook, I'm just not very adventurous. I'm pretty by the book with recipes and once I figure out how to cook something, it's on a rotation and will be cooked frequently! My family ate together, but I was always so picky (my mom almost died the other day when I told her I cooked and ATE asparagus!) and my dad isn't a big eater so Mom (bless her heart) usually ended up cooking a couple of different things for us. She's a great cook, but we always went for quick and easy meals, nothing fancy. And, there were only 3 of us so we didn't need much of a meal.

Then, I marry Matt. He's from a family of 6 and well, he's a boy. He was used to eating big meals that require more than a microwave! I think I did pretty well over the past couple of years and well let's face it, he cooked quite a bit too! He's a great cook and managed to throw spices together to make something fabulous!

Matt's new job has been keeping him at the office until 8 every night on average. They usually expense dinner which means I'm typically on my own. I feel like I'm back in college when I was living by myself. I can eat whatever I want and not have to worry about making sure it has enough meat for him. I like meat but I don't need it in every meal. haha I think it's a guy thing. PROTEIN! I'm more of a "snacker" if you will, I like cereal for dinner or just ice cream every now and then. Don't get me wrong, I miss having dinner with Matt on a daily basis, but I still have the weekends. And for the time being, we have lunch dates every now and then! I'm sure it will slow down too and he'll get to come home earlier. But for now, I'm enjoying my glass of wine or my bowl of cereal, or baked potato!

"wife guilt"

Ok. So most of you know, I'm a "creeper". I don't think I creep in a creepy way, but I love to keep up with my friends via facebook and check out all their pictures, blogs, etc. Matt always catches me looking at someone's wedding photos or someone's baby pics and tells me I'm a creeper! Anyway, during my daily creeping on facebook, I stumble upon my friend Jennifer Porter's blog! First, let me say, I truly admire this girl! I met her my sophomore year during recruitment. We lived in the same dorm/suites so we were in the same recruitment group. She's such a genuine girl and I've always thought the world of her. We ended up pledging different sororities but we had mutual friends so we would bump into each other over the years. Well, anyway, she posted about being a housewife the other day and it really hit the nail on the head for how I'm feeling/adjusting to this season.
To read her post click the link below.
http://www.ourmarriageproject.com/07/2010/to-be-a-housewife/

I'm starting to look for jobs but I easily get discouraged or distracted. I know Matt isn't angry with me about it, but when he asks what I'm doing during the day, I feel guilty and almost want to be defensive as to why I haven't applied to more places or accomplished more for the day. Yesterday, I walked with him to work (my new favorite ritual and I will really miss it when I have to walk to my own office) and ran by the lake, then I came home and fell back asleep watching Friends. I found a job to apply for, but found myself stumped for hours on writing the cover letter. Insert a few more hours checking facebook, watching Friends, etc. So at 5:30 I decide to pick up the dry cleaning (they close at 6!) and go to Walgreens so that I could feel like I did something!

Anyway, I hope this makes sense or someone can relate. Part of me is ready for a job and the other part of me knows I should enjoy this time off while I have it. I'm sure once I find something, I'll be begging for a vacation. haha!

The Wilson's visit to Chicago!

Matt's sweet family came to Chicago this last week & it was so much fun to see them! They arrived while I was in Kansas City with my girlfriends so Matt got some quality time in with the fam which I think he really needed. He was worn out from his 2 weeks of training in San Francisco and there's nothing like spending time with people you love to refresh you!

So, Sunday night we went to Gibson's (our favorite steakhouse...we've already been 3 times!) to celebrate Chris' (Matt's dad) birthday! His birthday was Aug 3rd but we knew Matt would be working late so we wanted to make sure & celebrate at a time Matt could enjoy too. So...back to Gibson's...we had a FEAST! Everyone split a steak b/c they are HUGE! The smallest steak is 10oz and Matt & Landon split a 28oz steak! Surprisingly, there were no leftovers. Matt & I had seen their insane dessert portions so we warned the Wilson's not to go overboard since we intended to have a ginormous piece of cake. We managed to save room & it did NOT disappoint! Yum!


Ok...I did a terrible job portraying the size of this dessert but I kid you not, it was a monstrosity. Enough for all 6 of us with some left for seconds!

Monday, Matt went to work & I met up with the family to do a little sight seeing! We went on the architecture tour & had a great time! I know, I know. You're thinking "Beth, didn't you JUST go on this a couple of weeks ago?" Yes I did but I wanted to go again! We had a different tour guide & I learned lots of new things! There's always something new to see/learn on these things! I'll go many more times too!


Chris, Beth, Jeana & Landon with the Chicago Skyline


The whole gang...well almost. We need to photo shop Matt & Liz too! :)


Me with Jeana & Landon! I have the best in-laws on the planet! I love having a brother/and sisters these days! And I didn't have to fight with them while I was growing up! It's like the best of both worlds! :)

Well like I said, it was Chris' birthday while they were in Chicago and Jeana's 14th is in a couple of weeks so we just had a fun little birthday party here at the apartment!

Cheesecake!


I can't believe I didn't think to get a "1" candle so we could make it Jeana's cake too! Silly me. She's never camera shy!


The birthday kids!


Make a wish!

Matt & I are so glad y'all came to Chicago to spend a few days with us! We love y'all and miss you terribly! Can't wait for your next visit!

NEW LAMP!!!

I surprised Matt with a decorated apartment while he was in SF. Mom & I bought new bar stools and I was so proud of the place. Well, Matt returned the favor! He got home 2 days before I got home from Kansas City & returned the favor with a little welcome home gift for me! This FABULOUS new floor lamp! I love love LOVE it! Apparently, he debated & stared at it for a ridiculous amount of time and finally Beth, my mother in law just said "we're getting it for you!" THANK YOU! I LOVE IT!


Isn't it amazing?! It's a 1950's ratchet lamp!


Here's a close up of the ratchet so you can see how to adjust it to be the perfect height!

I had no idea Matt was listening to my rambling about wanting a bigger/more substantial floor lamp! Thank you for your thoughtfulness, babe!!!

Whirlwind July!

Last month FLEW by! Mom spent a week with me in Chicago, then we went to Wichita Falls for a week so I could see Daddy too and then I wrapped up the end of the month in Kansas City with some wonderful girlfriends from college! Whew! I was so glad to be so busy while Matt was in San Francisco. I had planned to tag along & see SF but I'm SO glad I didn't. Vista kept Matt so busy with training & homework that I would have been so bored. I think he's enjoying it so far! Here are some fun pictures from the last couple of weeks.


My pretty Mama at Navy Pier!


Mom & I on the architecture tour! I recommend this tour even if you live in Chicago! It's a fun way to see all the buildings without walking your legs off! We had a great time!


View of Willis Tower from the river. My neck hurt from looking straight up!


The cupcake truck! They ice the cupcakes when you order & they are delicious!!!


Mom at "the bean"!


Kathryn, Katie, Renee & I at Kathryn's BEAUTIFUL home in Kansas City! Love these girls so much!


Makenna walking to the table! She's growing up so fast!


Mom & Makenna...Landon was still napping.


A deer eating behind my parent's house! I love sitting out there & watching the deer, roadrunners & bunnies!