Trip to Chicago '09

Exactly one year ago, Mark and I visited my brother and his wife in Chicago. Last January, Mark won another trip to Chicago at his work winter event. After much debate and consideration, we decided to leave James in the care of his grandparents while we enjoyed a long weekend away--four nights, to be exact. Four nights was a long time to be away from our 9-month-old, but we would have been very limited with our schedule had he been along. And he actually did quite well with his grandparents. After two days, though, we were really missing him!

We just returned home yesterday afternoon with lots of stories to tell! It was a really fun trip and extra-special to have the opportunity to stay downtown, right off of Michigan Avenue, something we probably wouldn't ever have considered splurging on. We ate and ate and ate delicious food. I had Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Greek and Spanish food all within four days!

We were able to visit Navy Pier, the Field Museum, the John Hancock Tower, Grant Park for some free salsa and cha-cha lessons, and Chinatown while downtown.




The second half of our trip was just as exciting! We got to hang out with these two, Elizabeth and Joel. The boys went to a Cubs game (Joel claimed it was the best game he'd ever been to) while Elizabeth shopped and made dinner together. We all went to see the movie Up, which I highly recommend to everybody--GREAT movie!! We finished our trip with visiting Joel and Elizabeth's church, walking around a local festival and sampling some delicious food, and then eating a nice dinner at a fun Spanish Tapas restaurant.

The view from the John Hancock Tower, 96th floor, where we had drinks the night we arrived in Chicago. The most incredible view at night. I was thrilled when we were able to snatch a table right by the window to enjoy it!

The most unexpected event of our trip was having to buy a new breastpump as a "souvenir". Since I'm still in the process of weaning, I had taken ours along, only to find it broken when I tried to use it the day we arrived. It proved to be quite the adventure for us, as we actually bought two before we could get one that worked. If anybody plans to leave a baby they're nursing, I have tons of advice for you.

James didn't seem to be too terribly surprised when we showed up Monday afternoon. We creeped into the room where he had just woken up from a nap to see him grinning back at us. Mark took him 'swimming' in our backyard in the 95* plus heat.

We're glad to be home. More pictures to follow. I'll compile and post a slideshow in the next few days....