Thursday, May 31, 2012

Chicago, Chicago, that Toddlering Town!

A couple of weeks ago we drove to Chicago for a little vacation.  Andrew had work there, so the boys and I tagged along.  We had a great trip!
We stopped the first night in Akron, Ohio.  Judging from church the next day and walking around Brandywine falls the next day, Akron, Ohio has about the friendliest people anywhere.
I think it may have had something to do with the fact that they had captive parents with nothing to do but give them full attention, but the boys love road trips.

Chicago was really a blast.  We stayed at the Palmer House Hilton, which is more than a little bit nicer than any hotel we would ever pay for ourselves.  I guess it pays to take your family on work trips!
"Thumbs up" in our elevator lobby and waiting to go down to swimming
Sleeping like angels in their big cloud bed

While Andrew worked every day, the boys and I took advantage of everything that was free and within walking distance from the hotel, which was actually quite a bit!
We walked around a ton, with only an umbrella stroller.  Abe did awesome, and walked almost everywhere.  Occasionally we had to get creative.
Please forgive the bad phone photo.  I wish I hadn't forgotten my camera when these boys started running in their clothes in the fountain!
At the park
The downtown library was really neat and had a great children's area.
"Say (string) cheese!"
Chicago from Abe and Ben's perspective

The Bean!  The boys loved this so much, they named their beanbag chair "The Bean," and now call our basement "Chicago."

Conducting "High on a Mountain Top" on the stage in Grant Park.
Thrilled to be at Lake Michigan.
Chasing pigeons was definitely a highlight for the smallest member of our group.
At the Millennium Stage.
Meeting up with our old friend John Woolley before he and Andrew went to "The Avengers"
Our last day there we did big.  The boys and I spent all day (and probably could have spent all week) at the awesome Chicago Children's Museum.
Water + Slate = "painting."  Awesome idea.
Who's winning?
Benjamin with his ethnically diverse, anatomically correct babies
Bye, Bye awesome museum!  We'll come again!
Our last stop was the Ferris Wheel.  It was a great trip!
We did the drive home (12 hours) in one day.  The boys did great.  As a reward, we introduced them to DQ's dipped cone!
It was a great trip to Chicago!  We're glad we did it, and glad to be home!

8 comments:

Kristi said...

You should have stopped by for a night to break up your trip! (we're just a couple of minutes from I-80) We're two hours away and still haven't really done anything in Chicago besides go to the temple, looks like you had fun!

Heather said...

Wow what a great itinerary! I want to keep this all in mind in case we ever go to Chicago. Btw, Stephen and I LOVED your announcement video!

Leah and Daniel said...

What a fun trip!!! I can't believe how big your boys are. They get cuter every time you post. And I've been meaning to tell you forever how excited we are for your big announcement! I love boys, but girls are sure fun, too!!!

Heather said...

What a fun trip! That's so fun that you got to explore Chicago together....it looks like you did a great job of seeing the highlights. The Palmer House is pretty amazing, huh? :)

Scottish gal said...

Beautiful people, fabulous activities, boundless energy. You take my breath away.

Scottish gal said...

Beautiful people, fabulous activities, boundless energy. You take my breath away.

Rachel and Micah said...

You guys know how to do Chicago. I think my favorite part is the expertly crafted bean in your how Chicago basement. Those pictures make us excited to someday find a sibling for Aaron. Ben and Abe seem like such good friends.

Natalie said...

Sooooo fun! I think your little boys are some of the cutest little boys i've ever seen:) I am so excited to see how beautiful and fun little girl marshall will be:) You are making me wish I still lived East side:)