Weekend in Chicago

Taking advantage of the long weekend, we spent MLK weekend in Chicago.  The kids are at a perfect age to travel.  They treat everything -- from staying in a hotel to eating at new restaurants -- as an adventure!

A favorite from our last trip to Chicago, we spent our first morning at the Shedd Aquarium.  It was just as fun as we all remembered.  

Highlights included seeing the sea turtle napping and dressing up as penguins in the polar adventure area.

After reluctant but much needed naps on Saturday afternoon, we trekked to the Chicago Skydeck -- formerly, the Sears Tower.  We even ventured out onto the all glass deck.  Wow, what a thrilling view!  

On Sunday morning, we went to the Field Museum and visited Sue, the T-Rex.  The kids loved looking at all of the different animals.  Gavin especially liked the ancient Egypt section complete with real mummies and tombs.

We also had fun in the Underground Adventure where we were "shrunk" in size to experience life as a bug. 

Our last stop was the Museum of Science & Technology, which was AWESOME!  We can't wait until the kids are a little older to really dive into all of the exhibits there.

Hope you enjoyed your long weekend, too!

Merry Christmas -- Round Up!

December was a busy month!  We had fun filled visits from Auntie Laura and Grammy & Gramps as well as birthday celebrations for Nonnie and Daddy.  We also managed to visit Santa and decorate gingerbread people!

Gavin and Molly enjoyed visiting with Santa at Joseph Beth Booksellers.  This is definitely going to be an annual Christmas tradition for us!

Our two chefs enjoyed adding sprinkles to our gingerbread men and women.  They did a great job and even helped deliver them to some of our neighbors!

Gavin and Molly with Nonnie at her birthday dinner overlooking the Christmas tree in Fountain Square. 

The kids helping Daddy blow out the candles on his birthday cake!  Happy birthday, Daddy!

The kids and our nanny Connie went to visit scuba Santa at the Newport Aquarium.  You can see Santa and his elf in the background above.



Here we are on Christmas morning waiting at the bottom of the stairs for the all clear to go see what Santa brought.  The suspense and excitment was too much this year!  It may have contributed to our complete lack of photos documenting Christmas in Cincinnati or Connecticut.  I'm hoping that our siblings will send some of the ones that they took over the last week or so.  (Hint, hint!)

And, a parting shot of our new house decorated for Christmas.  We were probably the most plain Jane house on the block.  Our neighbors really put some pressure on us for next year!