Chicago

When Bailee came to visit we found ourselves baseball free for a few days and decided it might be fun to head down to Chicago.  This was the first time for all of us (excluding Kent).  I must admit I've never had a super strong desire to go, but when you live 90 minutes away (5 hours if you include traffic), you really have no excuse not to go at least once.  

 

Went and ate at Ed Debevic's the first night. Our waiter name was Col. Mustard.  I asked if it was him in the library with the wrench.  Kent thought I was funny, but I would be willing to bet he gets that about 20 times a day. Col. Mustard kept referring to Matthew as "Fielder" all night. He made Prince bring us our drinks, and deliver checks to tables that had finished their dining.  Colonel also demanded that Michael try annunciating with words, when he mumbled his request for a refill, and unfortunately for Michael that has become my favorite new phrase (he does tend to talk quietly!) We liked the Colonel!  

 

Catherine liked her hat!

 

It was fun having Bailee with us.  Every time someone would ask, "Are these ALL yours????"  I could reply, "No, we only have 5.  This one is our niece."  First came a slight look of relief, followed by a contorted look of confusion.  Apparently most people think 5 is still a lot.

 

We took Bailee to American Girl.  The place was flooded with tween-aged girls and their moms. Every once in a while you'd see a poor dad who was made to come along.  Michael refused to go in.  Bailee picked out a miniature doll, while I listened to the sales associate explain how everything worked.  She directed me to the "Bitty Baby" section, thinking Catherine might like that.   I went and took a look around (Catherine does have a birthday coming up) but since she prefers to keep the one doll she has clothes for naked, I thought it might be best to wait a year or two.  Kent went and checked out the upstairs, and I perused some more downstairs and asked various employees some more questions.  Turns out upstairs they have a cafe and a place where you can get your dolls hair done, and I found out that they don't have any dolls named Catherine, but we can have one custom made.  I'm pretty sure I saw a teeny tiny little hole trying to burn it's way through Kent's pocket as we walked out.

There's a Hershey store on Michigan Avenue as well.  There you have the privilege of paying $5 for for a bag of Kisses that only costs $2.50 at Wal-Mart.  They also give you free samples when you walk in the door. I think Matthew came in and out at least 10 times.  If the bag of Kisses doesn't quite satisfy your craving for chocolate, you can always get this:

 

(technically it's not the largest, cause the one behind it is the exact same size!)

Ever wonder how many vacation photos your in of people you don't know?  Hopefully blondie's boyfriend doesn't read this blog.  She might get in trouble for checking out shirtless guy!

  

Matthew was the holder of the camera most of the trip so we ended up with lots of pictures of buildings that look like they have light sabers on top. Below we have 2 of about 20. 

  

Michael demanded camera control when he spotted fish near a dock on Lake Michigan. Looks like we'll be packing the fishing poles next time down.

  

While Michael was photographing the aquatic wildlife of Chicago, James was torturing the kind that flies.

 

What movie is this from?  "If they can dye the river green today, why can't they dye it blue the other 364 days of the year?"

 

Another sports announcer who never got to see the Cubs win the World Series:

 

Anyone know where the keep they bust of Harry Caray?
 
 

Now, if you must know, much to my surprise, I happened to love Chicago.  The city (at least the parts we went to) were nice and clean and the architecture was beautiful.  You really need more than 2 days.  There is soooooooo much to do: Navy Pier, Michigan Ave., Shed Aquarium, The Lincoln Park Zoo, Natural History Museum and Sears Tower (just to name a few).  The only thing they are missing......New York Style pizza.  The Chicago kind they are famous for; not so good.  This is according to Michael and I. We are not deep dish's biggest fans, and we waited an hour for what is arguably the best.  

 

Despite the pizza, we are all very anxious to go back; although, next time I think we'll shave 4 hours off our travel time and take the train! (wonder if they allow fishing poles on board?) Until then here's a few more pictures from this trip:

    

 

 

 

 
 
 

Comments

[Dad]

I started to read this on my iPhone, but I got tired of looking at only half of my grandchildren at a time, so I switched. Funny. Loved the kiss hat!

[shelly]

looks like a great time!
in the 4+ yrs my brother lived there, i never went once! my sister went up to visit him a bunch of times and always told me how nice/fun it was.

[Jamie Jo]

I just found out our baby (I'm 21 weeks along now) has a cleft lip, I posted about it and Paula (A Catholic Harvest) told me about your family and linked you here.

Seeing your beautiful daughter gave me such hope!!! She is so beautiful, as are you and your whole family.

Thank you for posting pictures it helped me so very much, more than you know.
God bless you all.