Quick trip to Chicago!

The weekend after the big birthday bash, we had taken a couple extra days off of work to get out of town. Due to a lack of planning and not sure about what parades Gabriella was going to be in at the last moment we decided to just head up to Chicago. The drive isn't bad, we knew where to go and there was plenty to do and honestly, we just didn't feel like Karen and Brett were sick of us yet. :) So we called and let them know we would be in town, but not to feel obligated to meet us. Of course they probably did, so they did, but I know the girls loved seeing them :)

We drove up and stayed in the same hotel we stayed in last time. We planned on going to the Aquarium but figured the walk would be fine. (ha, famous last words.) So when we got there Friday we decided to eat at the Rainforest Cafe. Gabriella did fine (MUCH better than the first time we went) and Amelia...managed. Neither enjoyed the storm when it came through, but the animals were fine. We walked back to the hotel down Michigan Ave stopping here and there, but the Disney store was closed already. We promised Gabriella we would come back before we left.

Saturday we got up and headed down to the Aquarium. We figured we would catch breakfast along the way. It seriously took us ALL morning to walk to the aquarium. To be fair, we dawdled and stopped different places along the way.

First stop, the giant UFO. Everyone else was taking pictures so we joined in as well. When in Rome...
Then we took this lovely self portrait as well.

Then we went under the giant thing and took another picture. Can you see us? Look for my flash going off and you will see us.

Another one of the girls.

Also in the park they have this tent set up with games and things for the kids. We stopped briefly and let the kids play the bean bag toss game.

Then we moved along to where we found a large crowd of people doing Zumba. Gabriella decided to join in.

Then we cut through this little garden.

Finally we made it to the aquarium. It started as an overcast day with some rain, but it had slowly got warmer and we were pretty sweaty by the time we finally got there. Then there was the line...oh my goodness. The line wrapped around and it took us forever to finally find the entrance. We stood in the line and started to wonder if we should go to the field museum instead. Suddenly someone approached us and told us we were in the wrong line. It was a 30 min wait vs. 3 hour wait, nice! Thank goodness for the stroller.

Outside the field museum. Maybe next time.

The aquarium had a jellyfish exhibit that was pretty cool.

Karen, Brett and Brigid met up with us at the aquarium and we all grabbed a bite to eat. They helped us take one of our first family pictures. :)

This one was silly, I was tickling Amelia.

The girls enjoyed sitting in the canoe. Amelia screamed when we took her out.

That night we took the girls to Texas De Brazil. They did really well even though it was really late. We did a little shopping as well. Then Sunday we headed home. We stopped off a couple times to let them stretch their feet. One of the stops was in Springfield and we took a tour of Lincoln's home. I'm sure the history was lost on them, but I think they enjoyed the break.

Gabriella enjoyed running down the street.

Outside Lincoln's home.

Gabriella and Amelia sitting on the stoop.

We had a great trip and the girls did really well. It wasn't too bad sleeping in the hotel. Amelia had a little too much fun playing peek a boo with me while we were trying to sleep. I think at first she was upset, but then realized she could have fun with it. So, they didn't exactly go to bed when they normally do, but we all survived :)