Sisters' Reunion 2011

I should say this is technically our second reunion in 2011, but January I had both of my kids to look after, constant trips to my parents, making food, etc. THIS sisters' weekend that I just took from October 28th- November 2 in Chicago was just us sisters. In a word: extra-special =: ) I was a little nervous that I would miss the little brood at home, but, well, I NEEDED a break. I have never gone more than  one day, 2 nights without my kids since Evan was born. This was a little taste of a certain kind of heaven only mothers of young children can truly understand.
Just me, Rachel and Rebekah. For 5 days. With of course a bit of male company from the wonderful brother-in-law Josh (who every time I see I like more and more). And Bat, the dog.
The weather was beautiful...while blizzards hit home, sunshine and perfect autumn hit the midwest. We were outside every day.
What I realized most this trip that I haven't quite had the chance to absorb in former family get- togethers is how much alike my sisters and I are. 9 and 12 years apart makes little difference now. I realized anew how FAMILIAR we are. Seattle, Chicago, and Reading came together instantly with a hug and a smile. I guess you could say once a Diamantopoulos, always a Diamantopoulos. With who else can you sing ANY excerpt from CATS over breakfast? (Much to the amusement of Josh...luckily we stopped before he could record us!). Or the "Roar of Love" for that matter? Snuggle on a couch smooshed together watching crappy movies and laughing and talking all the way through?
I could just truly be myself. Without the demands of motherhood and wifehood. For a few refreshingly sweet days I could do whatever I wanted. Because that's exactly what the other two of me wanted =: )
So off we went to the Gardens:

 Ok, so we all like being a little silly =: )

I just said 'stand next to the tree and be funny' and this is what I got:

Of course there was eating. Some in Rebekah's sunny sunroom:

 Rebekah's homemade cornmeal pancakes. Scrumptious!

 Some in amazing little restaurants in the city:

  This particular danish was actually shipped in from Denmark. I don't want to know how much butter was in this single pastry, but I think Heaven is going to have food like this.

 More awesome food. With awesome company. This particular dish was spicy blackbean pancakes. 

Good stuff. I need to figure out how to make such things!

We visited some of our cousins. So fun!

 Then off to the Hancock building at 11 at night to see the city lights. All the waiters were dressed up and we had the best guacamole and BLT while trying not to get height-sick:

 In a word: Adventure.

We were on the top of this building:

 Sisters on lake Michigan:

 Fun side note: my dear friend Amy was in town the same weekend. How fun is that?

What more is there to say? I couldn't have had a better time...I love my sisters and cannot wait to do this again...Maybe next time we'll go to Seattle?