Monday, July 27, 2009

The Windy City

We just got back from a week long trip to the Windy City - CHICAGO! Lorin had to go for Orientation for Northwestern and wanted Lily and I to join him so he wouldn't be bored out of his mind. To be honest, I never really thought of Chicago as a vacation location, but it was GREAT! There is so much to do and see there, AND the weather was BEAUTIFUL (the 80s the whole time... little humidity... some clouds.... PERFECT!) We were able to do so much and really experience most of what Chicago had to offer. If any of you ever have a chance to go - GO! It's AWESOME!
I took over 300 pics (way too many, I know), but here are a few (or a lot) of my FAVS:



Lily on the plane... we were so freaked out she would be bad and she was when we first boarded, but once the plane started moving she loved it!! We were so blessed and got an empty chair between us on the way there AND the way back... which is a miracle because both times, it was the only free seat on the plane.
Lily jumpin' on the bed at the hotel... since we were there for 5 nights, they upgraded our room for free, which was sooo nice.

I don't know why, but I just wanted to take pics of the beautiful flowers everywhere. It was soo green and they had so many pretty flowers... these ones were my favorite!
This was Lily's fav part of the Lincoln Park Zoo. The Zoo there is FREE!! Can you believe it? And it's so nice and has every animal you can think of... way better than the Phoenix Zoo. We liked it so much we went there two days last week.

Lily LOOOOVED the zoo!!
Lily on the train at the zoo. They had to stop the ride a few times cuz she kept standing up she was so excited.
The buildings around the John Hancock building.
Lily and I at the top of the Hancock building... I didn't get nervous til' we were at the top and I looked down.... so high!! I couldn't stay up there very long because my imagination started going and I freaked myself out.
The John Hancock Building from the ground.
Who wouldn't love the Hershey's store? You get free candy just for walking in!
They give all the kids a "Factory Worker" hat at the Hershey's store. You can also pay to make some chocolate to take home.
We stayed off of Mag Mile which has a lot of nice & fancy stores.... so I was excited to see a store that I could actually shop at. If only there was a Ross....
Walking along the beach of Lake Michigan - which is HUGE!! It looks like the ocean!
My fav guy and girl at the beach.
Lily loved the carousel at the zoo.
Walking along the Navy Pier.
Check out this turtle! Stinkin' scary lookin'! We went to the Aquarium which is huge and has dolphins, whales, and so much more!
Buckingham Fountain... with the skyline behind.
Again.... my two favorite people in the world!

Must-Sees in ChIcAgO:
The Field Museum
The Museum of Science & Technology
Lake Michigan
John Hancock Building or Sears (Willis) Tower
The Shedd Aqaurium
Lincoln Park Zoo
Mag Mile

We were so blessed to be able to go to all of these and more and would definitely recommend going at least once in your lifetime.

CHICAGO ROCKS!!

11 comments:

Kim Milius said...

Sounds like a great trip! Looks like you might even enjoy living there -- until winter hits!

Lo said...

Looks like you guys had a fab. time! Chicago - we're jealous - that does look like a blast! Glad Lily was good for you on the plane!!
Lo

Christie said...

Looks like you guys had a blast! How fun! I'm jealous, but I have been/will be traveling a lot this summer too! :)

Nikki said...

Sam and I live in a suburb of Chicago. We moved her over two years so Sam could go to law school. It was a good thing you got to stay for 5 days cause that is how long it takes to see at least half the city! We thought we would have fun in Chicago, but we miss Arizona!! Wait till you experience a winter here, then you will miss Arizona, but the summers are GREAT!

Kristi said...

How totally awesome. I'm glad you had a good time. Looks like Lily had a blast!

Brad and Meghan Miner said...

So glad to hear your trip went so well. Thanks for the advice of good places to hit up while there. I hope the weather is still good in a month!

Lexi Ray said...

Oh my goodness. That looks like a blast. Do you realize that I lived only 3 hours from there and never went once. I am so disappointed in myself. I am so happy that you had such a fab. time. How are you feeling? Well I hope great. Loved all the pictures. XOXO Lexi Ray

Smith Family said...

Hey Kristen, I got your comment on my blog. Email me at ksmith238@cox.net and I will send you mine and my moms address for your shower. We would love to come! Hopefully I will be sending you one for my girl at the begginning of the year!

scott and linds said...

SOOOOO much fun!! You guys did everything in that city!! Looks like you had a blast! I'm glad you got to go and escape the nasty AZ heat... we gotta get together!!

Amber said...

How fun! I sooo want to take a little vacation! The heat is killing me! I am glad you guys had so much fun! I miss you guys! We should get together soon!

Chris and Jodi said...

Hey I've been to chicago like 5 times and I've never done any of that stuff I'm jealous. Guess that gives you a pretty good idea of what my inlaws are like I always ask them to take me around, but I think I will just go without them this next time in october. But props for the husband we got engaded in chicago on a boat on michigan lake on navy peir!