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!!