Thank you to Liz / Chicago

This first picture shows the goodies sent over by Liz for us. We weren't expecting anything because we never know if Simon will get down to see us or not while he's here on business. We were so chuffed with our package - Thank You Liz!!!! We love you :) We love Ranch Dressing and although we can get some here, it's not the same as the American one. Goldfish are Emily's favourites - and if Claire's lucky, she may be allowed to have some too. Hershey Kisses are just so American - though I still don't think their chocolate touches the British chocolate ;). And then, magazines - they always go down well :) :) Scrapbooks etc., Better Homes and Gardens and People Magazine. It feels like Christmas all over again ;)

However, as is usually the case once we've seen Simon, we reminisce about our holidays in Chicago. Each one has been wonderful and we always love spending time with Simon, Liz and the children. Liz and I had our children around the same times - Helen is 4.5 months older than Hugh, Richard is 6 months younger than Claire and Henry is 9 weeks older than Emily. They've always got on like a house on fire, no matter how long it's been since they last saw each other. The photo above was taken on our second trip to Chicago in 2001 - just before Emily started school.

This second photo was taken in 2006 when Emily and I went on our own to Chicago. Emily and Henry hadn't seen each other for at least a couple of years but as soon as they met at the airport again they clicked and didn't stop talking all the way home. That holiday was so relaxing, we spent time in the garden, the children swam in the pond, we went to Barnes & Noble (as often as we could get away with it), visited Craft shops and just enjoyed being together. It was how I think summer should be spent!

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However, looking back at some of the photos on my computer they were showing 2008 and I knew we hadn't been to Chicago that recently. I pulled out the scrapbook I'd made to check the dates (2006) but noticed that I haven't actually finished the album and I thought I had. I'd seen a folder with the papers I used in this album, and some notes, while I was tidying up my craft area recently. Now I need to find where I put them so that I can finish the album (and re-live the holiday again!)

A few pages from the album

We loved "The Bean" in Millenium Park

And this is when I realised that I hadn't finished the album :(

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I wasn't expecting to be posting about Chicago today but it's been fun going through the old photos again.

xx