Happy New Year! 2013 has proved to be a fabulous year filled with highs and lows. Our little family has grown closer and we are so excited to see what 2014 brings. This past summer, we moved from our home of 5 years to Provo, Utah to be closer to my husband’s school. I was so glad it was just a local move because I have loved living in Utah and Utah County has so many wonderful things to offer. I am so excited yet to sad to announce that we accepted our job offer with Amazon and moving to Seattle this summer. My family and I have made such wonderful memories here and I will miss it like crazy. We have been here 10 years and this is where everything happened: meeting my husband, getting engaged, our first little apartment, our first house, our first baby…. There is so much I am going to miss about Utah. 2014 will be filled with lots of exploration, travel and with each experience I hope our little family grows closer. One of our goals this year is to strengthen our relationships and I truly believe with these experiences we will. The family that plays together, stays together!
I’d love to share some of our favorite places in Utah County- Salt Lake County and hope to travel back here often!
This is where my husband and I went on our first friend date. I met his friends and got the OK from them- haha! We have also come back here to hike- it is a super easy and short hike and to just sit at the park and listen to some tunes and General Conference while the kids play.
We find ourselves here a lot! It is perfect in any weather because it is a convertible outdoor shopping center that closes in the winter so you stay nice and toasty. My kids particularly love the fountains and splash pad in the summer and I love window shopping at Tiffany’s, J-Crew, Michael Kors and Nordstroms.
Not only is it peaceful to walk around in, it is filled with such beautiful architecture. The LDS Temple is stunning and the grounds are filled with beautiful flowers in the spring/summer and fluffy snow and Christmas lights during the winter.
This is my favorite thing to do for Christmas! They have a great Polar Express ride that has the kids giddy from meeting Santa and the most beautiful Utah scenery. They also have other rides throughout the year and Utah really is so gorgeous any time of the year.
Although I will so deeply miss my home, I have learned that you can make anywhere your home and love it. We are so excited to move into a city, explore and find some new favorite places and make it our new home. And I am sure in a big city we will find some wonderful places! Kendra, a mom to 3, lives in the big city of Chicago and wanted to share with us some of her favorite things to do there. We all can love where we live and really find gems if we just explore a little more. Here is Kendra:
A Few of My Favorites
Travel is always enjoyable and enlightening, but one thing we all have in common when traveling is the great feeling of coming home afterword. My home city, Chicago, has so many attractions and family friendly spots that constantly leave me in awe. I have numerous spots I enjoy throughout the city, and here are a few of the best.
1. Shop on Southport Avenue
Lakeview’s Southport Avenue offers a one of a kind shopping experience. Southport Avenue is a great alternative to the mainstream “Magnificent Mile” found on North Michigan Avenue. Southport is unique partly due to its location, just a few blocks from beautiful, historic Wrigley Field, but also because of its laid back atmosphere. Even though the atmosphere is more laid back, the fashion is still definitely of the highest quality, boasting many high end designers. Some of Chicago’s own designers showcase their wares at Cerato Boutique. Krista K and Tula are also two of my favorites, and they will leave loving your time on Southport Avenue.
2. The Great Outdoors
Commonly known as “Chicago’s Front Yard” for the beautiful scenery year round, Grant Park is one of my favorite places to go to enjoy the city. Grant Park is home to the gorgeous Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum Campus. There is always something beautiful to see here, and I come to refresh, rejuvenate and get my creative juices flowing again by exploring the area. Often times I will come early on a Saturday with my family, equipped witha picnic basket, a camera, and a book (and of course games to entertain the kids)!
3. Rich With History
Chicago is ripe with history, and is one of America’s most culturally rich cities as well. From the rebuilding it went after the Great Chicago Fire, to its emergence as an economic power, Chicago certainly has a story to tell. If you ever visit Chicago, even the hotels are apart of the history! Personally I enjoy historically significant hotels, like the Congress Plaza Hotel where Al Capone even resided.
4. Fill my stomach at Lou Mitchell’s
I love to eat, and I love to eat even more when I can find a place that is affordable to eat at as a family. Combining these things can be difficult, but I found a winner in Lou Mitchell’s. “Uncle Lou” has some of the tastiest food in Chicago, and even my kids love to eat here. A fun Lou’s fact: women and children get free Milk Duds, because the inventor of Milk Duds was a friend of Lou’s and frequented the restaurant!
Travel is always so much fun, but being a tourist in my own lovely city has to be one of my new favorite things! What do you love about your city?
P.S. Check on Instagram for the winner for the diaper and wipes. Thank you! And good luck in 2014.
More to love
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