Vacation Post #20....Chicago

We arrived in the outskirts of Chicago on the evening of July 7th. After a restful night we took off the next morning for the drive into Chicago. We could've taken the train in but by the time we figured out the cost of 5 tickets plus the time navigating the system we just decided it was easier to drive in and park in the garage at Navy Pier. There are a lot of things to do in Chicago (all of which cost money) so we decided to purchase some Go Chicago Passes which gave us admission to many sites. First we rode the ferris wheel at Navy Pier...definitely not a favorite of Matt's!
The view.
Madison acts as if she's too grown up for pictures.

Mommy and the boys. Notice the "raindrops" on the outside of the cart...it was a little misty but mainly just really, really humid (and hot)....I had straightened my hair that morning but it was quickly wavy and curly!

Then the lighthouse ride....just like a frog hopper....even Daddy joined in on the fun.

We spent a good amount of time at the Children's Discovery Museum....a place where kids can just play and pretend....had we known just how much fun our kids would have there we probably wouldn't have gotten the Go Chicago passes and just spent all day there!

Here Madison pretends to work at the pizza shop.

And Carson working in the building area.

And Jason putting the tools to work.

There was also a large water play area that the kids loved.

Next stop....a sailboat ride. I enjoyed this same ride a couple of years ago when I went to the True Woman conference in Chicago with my sister and 4 others from Wyoming.

The view of the city from the water.

A family shot while onboard....it was a memory made but a very warm one....there really wasn't a hint of wind even while on the water.

The boys were happy to do some steering.

After our sailboat ride we hailed a taxi and went to the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower). What an experience to go up so many stories and see the city from that height.

They also have some skywalks along one side of the building which allow you to stand on very thick glass and see the city below your feet. A little scary.

Now outside looking up at those skywalks from the ground.

Once back at Navy Pier we had time for some rides on the carousel.

At some point in our sightseeing I captured this picture....How would you like to park at this parking garage?

By evening time we were tuckered out so we headed back to the suburbs to our hotel to get some rest.

Then the next morning we packed up the car and drove back into the city. This time we parked at the Chicago Bears stadium and had a short walk to the aquarium.

We saw all sorts of animals...here are a few penguins.

And fish.

After a somewhat disappointing dolphin show we had lunch at the aquarium and then hailed a taxi back to Navy Pier for a few more quick activities. The kids once again enjoyed the carousel.

Then we thoroughly enjoyed a ride on a boat through the city on the Chicago River looking at all the interesting buildings and getting to know a little Chicago history.

This man was the guide and he literally talked the entire hour and wasn't looking at notes or anything as we toured the city. He was amazing!

Once on land we all received some paper hats to remember our trip by. Carson was very pleased with the look.

And from there we were back on the road again....Originally we were going to stop at my mom's for a day or so but since we had just been there at the beginning of June (my grandfather's funeral) and we had just seen them on our trip we decided to stay on the interstate and just get as far as we could. We drove and drove until Matt couldn't drive any further and we stayed in Sandusky, Ohio for a quick sleep....then back in the car the next morning arriving at Maryland on the afternoon of the 10th which allowed us time to unload and unpack and go to our church the following morning.

Wow, what a trip.....amazing memories made together as a family!