Chicago Vacation

Last Thursday our family headed to Chicago for a well deserved & needed vacation. It was a 4 hour trip, so we decided to break it up and stop along the way.

I found a really cute little museum in Michigan City, Indiana. The kids loved roaming around the old lighthouse museum and looking at all the antiques (we think that Grandma Nelson would really like it and hope maybe we can take her there one day).

We arrived in Chicago and checked into our hotel, I was so excited because we were meeting up with friends that I met in China almost a year ago. When I traveled to pick up Lia, I met a wonderful couple (Karen & Shawn) who where there to pick up their little girl Ava. Karen, Shawn, my mom and I did a lot together in China. We became instant friends and decided that we should try and get together once we get back to the states. A year later and we finally did and boy did we have a great time.

Here we are all getting together and chatting over dinner at the hotel. Karen came prepared with stickers and things for the kids to do. Dinner was busy, but nice, as everyone chatted and caught up.

Friday we decided to go to the Lincoln Park Zoo. This is my favorite zoo of all times. I have been their before and couldn't wait to show the girls and my friends. We all had a really nice time. It rained a bit, but we ducked out of the rain and checked out the indoor exhibits.

Here is one of the many fish exhibits. It was really neat.

After the zoo, we went to China town and shopped. Then we went out to a great pizza place that Shawn & Karen had found. We ate the best pizza I have ever tasted. It was Chicago style pizza and after one piece I was stuffed.

Saturday it was off to Navy Pier. I should mention that Shawn & Karen were kind enough to drive, so we all piled into the minivan that they rented (we were short one seat, so we took turns sitting on the cup holders in the middle, it was pretty funny).

Kendyl & Lia took turns running around in what I think was a bike rack, but I'm not really sure. There we also some fun house mirrors outside and we all took turns laughing at ourselves in the mirrors.

All the kids loved the water. They stood here for a long time just looking out at the water and the boats. We walked along the pier while we waited for the stores to open. It was very peaceful and nice.

This is such a cute picture of Lia and Ava.

We went to a show called Cirque Shanghai Gold. It was absolutely amazing. Kendyl & Ava were really good and sat still and watched the show. Lia on the other hand did not want to sit still, so I had to take her out, but was able to enjoy the rest of the show from the side while Lia played around.

After the show we went for a walk to the American Girl Place store. This has been something that I have talked about doing for a long time, so when Karen mentioned going, I was ready. The store was hectic and crazy and amazing. I'm glad we went (not sure if Pat, Shawn and Christian were as thrilled as Karen & I), now the girls have their own bitty babies. Lia has baby Abbey & Kendyl has baby Kangaroo.

Here we are re-grouping after our visit to the store.

Sunday we had to head home but before we did, we had one more stop. We had some more friends to met with. During my travels to China we also met Aaron and his dad Robert, as they were going to pick up Aaron's daughter Sadie. We got to met the rest of Aaron's family, and they got to met the rest of our family. Aaron's situation was very similar to ours in that his wife, Jacquie, stayed home with their other children while he traveled to China. It was so great to see everyone and get all the kids together.

Sunday night we arrived home at about 5:00 and Pat needed a nap. Kendyl decided to nap with him.