Since Jake and I first met in Chicago (and because we both had such a great time during our two years of business school), Chicago has a special place in our hearts and we were thrilled to be able to take our girls there and show them an important city to us for the first time. And, boy, did the girls LOVE Chicago! Now they are saying that if we can't move back to Charlotte, then they want to move to Chicago (but they ruled out San Francisco because it was too cold so maybe we should take them back to visit Chicago in January sometime and see if they change their tune!).
Highlights of the trip included staying in a place where we could walk so many places, exploring Navy Pier, the Aquarium, showing the girls our old campus and old neighborhoods and surprising them with a dinner out at The American Girl Cafe.
Here are a few photos of our oh-so-fun week there.
Highlights of the trip included staying in a place where we could walk so many places, exploring Navy Pier, the Aquarium, showing the girls our old campus and old neighborhoods and surprising them with a dinner out at The American Girl Cafe.
Here are a few photos of our oh-so-fun week there.
 |
| Jake and I had fun showing the girls around our old alma mater. It was a beautiful day with lots of students lounging in the grass. They now think that's what college is all about - lounging in the sun surrounded by beautiful buildings! |
 |
| Our apartment was around the corner from world-famous Giordano's pizza. We took two home our first night and didn't have to wait the 1+ hours that many people did out on the sidewalk that night. |
 |
| Getting ready to see the 4-D Dora movie at the Shedd Aquarium (that 4-D experience was terrific, by the way - we all loved the 3-D plus the wind, getting splashed, etc.) |
 |
| My four little penguins! |
 |
| Watching the penguins. |
 |
| My littlest penguin. |
 |
| My little shark. |
 |
| Chicago skyline from the aquarium |
 |
| Jake and the big girls outside the aquarium |
 |
| At the apartment pool - the kids thought it was fun to swim with high rises all around! |
 |
| It's definitely the "windy" city! |
 |
| Anna loved the turtles and fish |
 |
| Sunset view from our rental apartment |
 |
| Jane enjoying the tall Navy Pier ferris wheel. |
 |
| Meredith didn't want to ride at first but she conquered her fear and had a great time. |
 |
| Regan is quite smitten with Chicago. |
 |
| Jake managed to get all five of us in the picture while riding the merry-go-round |
 |
| Climbing the rope tunnel at the Children's Museum |
 |
| Mere was too scared at first (and still looks a little tentative) but she was brave and tackled the climb (hard to tell from picture but this is quite high in the air) |
 |
| The Children's Museum had a special room for toddlers and Anna loved digging in the sand (and petting worms!) |
 |
| Loading up the push cart |
 |
| Big chess board. I'm terrible at chess so I'm not a great instructor but Jane and I finally managed to beat Regan |
 |
| Big dominoes |
 |
| Scary man bench |
 |
| A really fun building project where they film you making it and you record your voice into a little instruction manual on building and on teamwork. |
 |
| Our finished project being displayed |
 |
| Checkin' out the treats |
 |
| Happy that her ratio of marshmallows to yogurt was high enough for her sweet tooth |
 |
| An after dinner walk to the serve-yourself yogurt place. Yum! |
 |
| At the University of Chicago main quad gate |
 |
| The girls at "Echo Circle" hearing their voices echo amongst the gothic buildings |
 |
| My little choir singing at Harper Chapel |
 |
| Anna erasing my lesson on how to make lemonade in one of our old classrooms |
 |
| Regan ready to take notes in class |
 |
| Enjoying beautiful Rockefeller Chapel |
 |
| Anna's impressive hiding spot in the school bookstore |
 |
| Jake and his young ladies at The American Girl cafe for dinner. Note all the "loaner" dolls that had their own booster seats. And check out how excited Regan looks! |
 |
| Mredith - thrilled to be taking care of her (loaned) American Girl doll |
 |
| Even Anna got into motherly mode and made sure her baby was well-hydrated and fed (Anna named her "Baby") |
 |
| Regan was probably the most excited one about the surprise dinner (we didn't tell them where we were going!) |
 |
| Anna burst into song on this little stage at The American Girl store. I'm sure all the patrons who heard Twinkle Little Star were thrilled to be serenaded! |
 |
| Getting around Chicago by El |
 |
| On the train |
 |
| Running around Oz Park in Lincoln Park |
 |
| Enjoying the view of the Chicago River and getting ready for our boat ride |
No comments:
Post a Comment