Chicago

We live about 4-5 hours from Chicago (depending on traffic).  We have friends who live there that Briant hadn't seen in ages and who I had never met.  So, since we live much closer now, we thought it was a perfect opportunity for a visit!  Plus, Briant & I had never been to Chicago.

Andrew did pretty well on the way up.  He took a really good 2 1/2 hour nap.
I thought it was funny he slept with his bottom lip tucked in.
We did have a few moments toward the end where it would have
been nice to get out, but we were in stop and go Chicago traffic.
I think he did great over all.

We saw a ton of wind mills up close and personal!

Our first view of the city.

Sears Tower... and all the backed up traffic.

We went to the park the next day with Ashley & her kids.
Andrew had a great time on the playground made just for his size.

Gabe and Andrew were really good buddies all weekend.

Waiting for the train to come!

On the train going into Chicago.
 Andrew was captivated watching the train go forward,
I'm sure since he is always sitting backwards in the car.

Wow, those buildings are tall.

This is our first destination, Sears Tower.

Andrew had a huge melt down on the way up.  It was lunch time,
and he couldn't push the stroller in the line we were standing in.
Biggest tantrum ever... he just laid on the floor and screamed.
He just didn't understand, I felt so bad.  He was fine once he
could push the stroller again.

The view to the North!!!  WOW!!

Northwest

Looking down.  It's a long ways...103 stories up (over 1,300 feet).  My mom would have freaked out.
 Is that grass on top of that building?

You can see four states from the top...
Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan!

Lake Michigan...

An airplane pulling a sign!

South

Our brochure.

Sears Tower is actually called Willis Tower now.  It is the highest
in the Western Hemisphere.

Checking out the view!

Bottle break

Playing...

Wow!!  Where am I?

That is a long ways down!

Since, we knew we couldn't wait in the lines going out to the
public sky decks that didn't cost anything & were very crowded,
we decided to get our picture taken by the
professional (his line was much shorter) on his sky deck.
  It was a little scary stepping out onto the glass floor, (remember it is 103 stories straight down!!!)
but totally worth it! Andrew walked out onto the glass and had the strangest look on his face. 

After the Tower we decided to just walk around the city.

After we got down and started walking,
Andrew crashed!

The Art Institute of Chicago. Bueller? Bueller?

I took lots of spontaneous random pictures of tall buildings.

The Cloud Gate or aka The Bean.

Gabe joined nap time too!

Underneath the bean

Can you find us (and Julia hugging Briant)?

Ashley, Mike, Briant, Melissa
& Julia (Andrew took the picture)

This is for Devin and Julie.  I know how much you love this store,
I thought of you when I saw it.

Another cool tall building, no idea what it is.

Loved seeing the rivers in the middle of the city!

Our ride back. Riding the Metra train was SO awesome!
We had some delicious Garrett's caramel and cheese
popcorn (The Chicago Mix) on the way back.
I loved that we didn't have to drive, get lost and figure out directions.
This is the way to go my friends.

Much needed drink.

Andrew got a bath that night with Gabe.  Gabe had a great time.
You can see from Andrew's face how he felt.

You can tell what happened next.

Andrew did however, love their dog!!

Our last night there we had Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza!
It. was. yummy!

We had a great time in Chicago!  We loved visiting with Mike and Ashley and playing with their kids.  Andrew loved that he had buddies to play with.  We also loved grilling out & watching the Olympics with them... even though I always fell asleep.  Go USA!  We don't have cable and can't watch them at our place.... BUMMER!!

Thanks for letting us visit!!!