Labor Day Weekend 2008 in Chicago

We had a busy Labor Day weekend! It started with the OH fball game on Friday night (we won!!!), then Saturday morning we left for Chicago. Mike, Sandi, Chad, the kids and I left Converse at 6:30 am! We were meeting Jerry, Alicia and their children for Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday we were very adventurous (maybe even a little naive!?!?!) and walked along Lake Shore Drive. Our destination was Lincoln Park Zoo. I am not sure if we really thought we would walk that far or if the great weather had something to do with it but wholly cow did we walk forever!!!! The water was beautiful and the kids were having a blast seeing all the bikers/runners and the buildings.

Lincoln Park Zoo was fun! Fun for the kids and the parents because it was free admission!! Clay loved the Ape exhibits. Considering the walk on the way there we opted for taxis on the way back to the hotel. My kids 1st ride in a taxi! They were very excited and thought it was cool how reckless the guy was driving-ramming forward, slamming on his brakes, turning on a dime! Britt is often called the seat belt police in our family so she was a little anxious about not wearing seatbelts!!!

Saturday evening we walked to Navy Pier (only 3 to 4 blocks!!!). Once again great weather for an evening spent outside. We (as in everyone but Sandi who is afraid of heights and Jared who is too little) rode the 1500 ft ferris wheel. Very cool and the view is amazing! I took some cool pics. I was disappointed when we couldn't all ride together but it was still worth the $6! Chad was a little paranoid about the height which was a little surprising to me. I thought it should speed up!!!! HA!!! Clay could barely move without Chad telling him to sit still and stay in his seat! Too funny! Alicia said she was the exact same way in the other cart, so maybe it is Sandi's blood running thru their veins!!!!

After the ferris wheel ride we ate at Forrest Gump's Restaurant Bubba Gump's. It was a little pricey but I think you were paying for the atmosphere as much as anything. They had a cool system for getting the waiter's attention. They had these license plate signs on the table-one side said "Run Forrest Run" and the other side said "Stop Forrest Stop". If you needed something flip the sign to "Stop". Pretty cool considering how many tables each waiter had. Then halfway thru dinner we were asked Forrest Gump trivia. Too neat-a cool place to go.

Sunday we headed to Einstein Bagels (which I must tell you I miss terribly from my Purdue days) then the girls went to American Girl. I told Britt should could get an outfit for her doll (not an American Girl but one the same size). She picked out a soccer outfit that came with cleats, shin guards, everything! It is amazing to go into a place where little girls, young ladies, Moms and Grandmas are so crazy! It was packed and we were happy to get out of the crowd uninjured-ha!

Then it was time to say our goodbyes! Britt is not good at telling Aunt Ali goodbye. The crocodile tears were flowing! Aunt Ali does her best to hold out but she usually isn't able to stop the tears either. They have a connection and always have which is cool considering Britt has never lived in the same place as Alicia and Jerry.

Great weekend that just went too fast!!!