Last Friday instead of working all day and collapsing in an exhausted puddle with take out and a movie at 7:15 pm, B and I met at the aiport (he had to do a little working) and headed to North Carolina to watch a close friend from law school get married. It was the longest I’ve ever been away from Gracie girl, but she had a blast back in Chicago with her grandparents who were thrilled to spend a weekend reading books and taking walks. B and I were thrilled she was happy and we could take walks in warm weather without winter coats.
This is where I’d show you obligatory Chapel Hill photos but I took all of my photos with my husband in them, and since he is averse to internet-images, you’ll just have to use your imaginations: two very pale people in flip flops, overly thrilled at the warm sunshine, green grass and blossoms on trees.
We enjoyed some great food and beer in Chapel Hill before we headed out to the country for the wedding festivities. Weddings are almost always a good time, but this one was exceptional. It really highlighted the bride and groom, many of our friends were also in attendance and the food and drink were something to write home about. Dinner was pulled pork that was smoked all day on site- divine. After dancing way too much we got ourselves back to Chapel Hill to catch the end of the Wisconsin-Kentucky game and pour ourselves into bed to catch our 7 am flight home to Chicago on Sunday morning.
Despite the early wake up the 7 am flight had two advantages. First, we ran into my Dad at Midway airport when we landed, which is always nice (perk of a pilot Dad, you just never know when he might turn up) and got home with enough time to feed the munchkin lunch and take her to the zoo after her nap. Mama and Dad were exhausted but we missed her and knew she’d enjoy the relatively mild weather Chicago was seeing.
This was our first trip out and about where Gracie insisted on walking along with us…stopping to examine sticks and rocks, but seeming like such a big girl as she stumbled around. She wasn’t too into the birds, enjoyed the giraffes, and waved to the fish. The best part was when we were leaving and walked past the lion exhibit- the male and female lion began roaring at each other, nonstop. The entire crowd was entranced, and Gracie began to roar along with them. That moment in and of itself was worth the trip.
B and I were in bed by 9:15 and I forsee another early night in our future. Dont worry though, every weekend in April has major plans or travel involved, so we won’t slow down anytime soon.
