Wedding

Last weekend we went to Chicago for my cousin's (well, second cousin actually) wedding. And true to our cheap, value-seeking standards, we once again were able to get a ridiculously cheap room at an incredible four star hotel through Priceline at the Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Suites Hotel. The posted maximum charge on the room was almost $400 and we got it for $55. It was the size of two normal sized hotel rooms. Which was great, since we split the whole thing with my parents who rode with us.

On Friday night, we went searching for dinner and stopped at this little Italian restaurant just down the road from our hotel. We hesitated because the prices were more like a Logans or Red Lobster, but decided to give it a try. Ends up this little hole in the wall restaurant, was a hidden jewel! I think it was family owned, and they were definitely Italian!! They made everything from scratch and the portions were HUGE. We easily could have all split our meal. The salad that came with it looked like they used an entire head of lettuce...not really, but it was SO big!! Even their pasta was homemade. So, if you ever are near the airport in Chicago and want to eat at a REAL Italian restaurant, I highly recommend Basilico Ristorante!! Check out their website at http://www.basilico.net.

Oh yeah, and the wedding was great too... :) :) :)

Here are some pictures:

This was the room you walked into...living room, refrigerator, and office.


Another view...


Stephen acting goofy :)


This was the second main room, plus a huge bathroom that opened into both rooms.


It even had a REAL hairdryer (a very nice one, too I might add) and a TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER! I have never seen either of these things at a hotel before.

And now on to the best part and the reason we went to Chicago - the wedding :)


Jenn and Billy


You would have to see this dress to really appreciate it. It was SO neat!!


The reception at Casa Royal - which was a very nice place!


Jenn loves baseball, and I think Billy does too...and the whole reception was a baseball theme...so fun. For party favors, everyone got these cute little hats as well as a bag of Cracker Jacks. Lunch was brats, Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches, french fries, etc. And we had the kind of cheesecake that Chicago is known for instead of regular cake. It was excellent!!


My cousin Jenn and her new husband Billy


Jenn and I

Jenn went to our church all four years while she was in college, and was over to our house almost every week...so we miss seeing her now that she lives/works in Chicago. But we were glad they had a morning wedding so that we could go!! It was great to see her.