Chicago - A much needed vacation!

So, one of the perks of Luke having to travel a bit for work, is that we get to tag along every once in a while. This time, there was a conference in Chicago, and we decided to do just that. Also nice......Luke's sister Spring and his dad both live fairly close to Chicago. So, we flew out a bit early (the Wednesday before Luke's conference starting on Monday), and the girls got to meet cousins Bennett, Jordan and Jillian for the first time face to face. Skype just doesn't cut it, right? We spent a couple days at Spring's house and just relaxed. The girls have a new found love for everything Zoobles and the poor cat is even more afraid of children than he was before - sorry, Jet! On Saturday, Steve and Terry (Luke's dad and step-mom) met us at Spring's house and all of us trekked up to Chicago and saw the house where Grandpa Steve grew up and played in the park closeby. We had real Chicago style pizza for dinner that night and swam in the hotel!

The girls were super excited to get on the plane. The people sitting next to us were impressed with how well the girls behaved. I was just happy that fairly newly potty-trained Miriam had absolutely NO accidents on any of the plane trips! It was a proud mom moment for me....on both accounts.

We stopped at IKEA with Spring to wait out rush hour traffic. Miriam tried out several of the beds and couches while Jenna and Jillian played at IKEA's child care.

The ride from Morrison, IL, to Chicago was a little long - or so they said - for the girls.

The river outside our hotel was dyed green for the St. Patrick's Day festivities.

One of the buildings at night. The architecture was amazing - there was so much up on the sides of buildings that I doubt anyone ever bothers to look at.

One of the buildings had pieces of notable structures from all over the world built into it's walls. Including: The Alamo (pictured above), the pyramids of Giza, etc.

Shedd Aquariam, The Field Museum & the Lego Store

The girls really enjoyed the Aquarium, and weren't afraid to reach out and handle anything in the touching area. They had good practice at the aquarium in Seattle. The play area by the penguin exhibit was really fun, and we got to see some dolphins in action. I think the girls were even more excited to see the dinosaurs in the Field Museum, so we hit that up after a quick lunch at a convenient hot dog vendor outside the aquarium.

If a button was within reach, Miriam wanted to push it!

Miriam and Grandma Terry

Jenna liked feeling all the different types of starfish in the touching pools.

Jenna got to "drive" the submarine.

Both girls exploring the submarine.

There was a nice place for the girls to run around and get their wiggles out by the hot dog vendor. Beautiful Chicago skyline in the background.

Miriam devoured her first taste of a Chicago hot dog.

Jenna was a bit more delicate in her eating.

Piper and Jenna in front of "Sue"

"Sue" from the balcony above

I think the dinosaurs were the girls' favorite part of the whole day!

Silly Faces!

Luke taking a quick rest with the girls.

The next morning we went shopping, and I think we spent more time in the Lego store than any other place, including (possibly) the museum!

Jenna and Jordan

We brought home two buckets of bricks and got out all of my old Legos when we got home! I think we found the new favorite toy at our house!

Last Days in Chicago

We finished up the last couple of days in Chicago with Steve & Terry. Terry and I went shopping while Luke was at some of the conference and Steve watched the girls. They headed home on Tuesday, and we stayed one more day because Luke had to finish out the conference. Both girls traveled exceptionally well. They really do love airplane rides. Security at airports is always a headache, but we survived and were happy to be home late Wednesday night - or REALLY early Thursday morning, depending on how you look at it.

We ate at Texas de Brazil - yummy! And, the girls ate SO much - it was rice and beans - their absolute favorite!

A pretty flower came as the garnish on the girls' ice cream. Jenna and Miriam liked it better in their hair.

We passed by the Trump tower several times on our walks to and from stores and restaurants.

The girls were awfully giggly at night.

Just before Steve & Terry headed home, we snapped a photo or two of them with the girls. Jenna is exiting the cheesy grin phase in pictures and Miriam is just entering it.

This was the view from our hotel window on the 23rd floor.

This fountain was just a couple of blocks from our hotel. It was dyed green in honor of St. Patrick's Day, just like the river running past the hotel.

Miriam made quick work, yet again, of her second "Chicago" hot dog. This girls LOVES to eat!This particular activity entertained both Luke and Jenna on much of the plane ride home.

The BIG 29

The only time of year that this cake gets made is on March 3rd.
Happy Birthday, Luke!