Girls Weekend in Chicago!

A friend from church asked if I would drive up to Chicago with her so she could attend her sister's wedding. I agreed and when we reached Chicago she dropped me off at my cousin Emily's house. I had a fun weekend with Emily and her sister, Missy. I love my cousins!

On the observation deck on top of the Willis (Sears) Tower, over looking Lake Michigan. That is a glare and not the sun in the picture; it was setting opposite the lake. The elevator ride up was a little terrifying. They have a movie playing as you are riding up that shows what floor you are on and what that compares too i.e. the Eiffel Tower, etc... Everyone at the tower was speaking another language. There seemed to be a lot of French and German tourists. 

Emily and me. 

North Chicago and Lake Michigan. 

On the sky deck looking down. I felt so dizzy. I am not good with heights. And yes I know I am wearing the wrong foot wear. Forever summer!

Night photo. The window was dirty.

Emily and me on the sky deck. It was her idea to be kneeling.

Missy took me to see Wrigley Field, Chicago Art Institute, Michigan Ave, and Millennium Park. She also took me out to breakfast at a Swedish restaurant, Ann Sather. The cinnamon rolls were so good. Thank you!

My crappy photo doesn't do it justice. I loved Vincent van Gogh's self portrait. The colors were so vivid. 

Whenever I see this photo I think of my mom. Missy and I spent a lot of time looking at the Miniatures and I didn't get any photos of them, but I loved them!

Outside the Art Institute. 

Looking into the Bean at Millennium Park, can you see me?

Quinceanera!

Waited in line for some of Garrett's delicious popcorn! I brought a bag home for the kids. 

There are no words....

Chicago river. We ran out of time for the architecture cruise. Oh well, another trip?!

Emily took me out to lunch at Portillo's . I had one of their famous hot dogs (lots of banana peppers, onions, and a big pickle in it) and a Mediterranean salad. 

Bernheim Forest

Spent the day at Bernheim Forest. It is a beautiful place. We picnicked at the playground with church friends and then headed off for a hike by ourselves. Wonderful day. 

Stuart looks like a puppet. 

Thula face.

My big 11 year old (who always introduces herself as 'almost 12) baby. 

Lela

Reading and doing homework together

Lela is always playing some little game somewhere. 

Lela at her school field day. Her school has two field days a year. One in October and one in Humid I mean May. She is hugging her friend Mason. 

Just me and my pal

"I can take my shirt off all by myself mom!"

Exploring the river from the Indiana side. Since the girls are both at school the day belongs to me and Stuart. 

striking that weird pose again. 

He loves the zoo and the giraffes and lions are his favorite animals to visit. 

Looking at the polar bear swim. It was at this exhibit that he took off from me and I couldn't find him for a frantic 10 minutes. Another mom recognized him from when she saw us together earlier and brought him back to me.

He is such a happy little boy. 

Lemonade Stand

Lela and her friend Molly wanted to do a lemonade stand. So we set one up at the edge of our driveway and Thula and Molly's brother joined in. It was 5 cents a cup, but after a few hours the kids made out with 20 bucks! They had so much fun. 

Stuart chasing geese at the park. 

Pedaling furiously. 

Nature walk with my three amigos. 

Thula thinks she's too old for the park. Where as the time gone?!! So we took selfies instead.