Chicago!

Our biggest excitement last week was our trip to Chicago! We were finally able to find the time to go down for a weekend to see friends that I worked with at Children's Memorial. It had been a year and a day since the last time I had been down, which was for my baby shower. It was, of course, Maddie's first trip to the "Big City." We left early on Saturday morning from Monroe, where we dropped Lily off to stay with Gramma Jackie. We almost had to turn around because the roads were quite slick in some places, but we ended up arriving in Chicago around 11:15 or so. We took a drive around our old neighborhood and looked at the changes. Our apartment building was the same, but many new condos have sprung up around it!

We got to our hotel around noon, and were able to check in early.
Our hotel, The Westin, Michigan Avenue:

It was so nice that we were able to stash our bags in the room and unpack everything before heading out. Here's Maddie checking out the view...


Looking to our left (East)

To our right (West, Michigan Ave)

Up! (John Hancock Building)


We bundled up with snowpants, scarves, mittens and hats as it was very chilly and quite windy. (Well... it is the "Windy City!") We walked up Michigan Ave and tried to do some window shopping, but we quickly found that things were not as we left them! Andrew's favorite music store is gone and a new trendy teeny-bopper clothing store is in its place, and Garrett's popcorn was nowhere to be found. There was an entire building missing, and we're guessing that Garrett's used to be in that. We also went into the Nike store looking for Maddie's first pair of Nike's and they no longer carry infant shoes! What a bummer!
Maddie in her new snowpants:

Bundled up:


We did continue on and stop at the Grand Luxe Cafe where we met Juli and Tracey for lunch. It was very yummy. Maddie had some Mac & Cheese that I think might rival my all time favorite Mac & Cheese at Rock Bottom Brewery for the top spot! I also had a very tasty chicken pasta dish that I might need to have again the next time we're in Chicago!
Juli, Tracey, Mads and I:

Take Two:


After lunch Andrew, Mads and I walked a bit further up Michigan Ave so that we could see the new Trump Tower. They started construction on the tower before we left Chicago in May of 2007, and they just completed the exterior. It's a very neat looking building.


After taking in the Trump Tower we headed back to the hotel since it had gotten dark and even chillier. We ended up getting into our pajamas and hanging out in the big king bed. Andrew even went back out into the cold and got us some Ghirardelli ice cream sundaes to share in the "big bed."
Tiny tush in the big bed:

Playing Peek:


Eating ice cream in the big bed:

Ice Cream from...


On Sunday we got up and got ready to head back out into the cold so that we could go up to the top of the John Hancock Building. But, before we could go Maddie wanted to order room service...


We bundled back up and walked across the street and headed up to the 94th floor for some good views of the city.
East:

North:

Our hotel from above:

West:

South:

Mads taking a look:

Washing Windows:

The family:


After taking in the sights from the John, we headed south down Michigan Ave to drive past the Illinois College of Optometry on our way to the best burritos EVER. We got to Pancho Pistolas around 11:30 and had a delightful meal! MMMMMMMMM!
Mads perusing the menu:

Having some bites of chicken from the burrito:

And I post these to taunt all of our ICO friends! :)



After Panchos we headed back to Monroe to pick up Lily and from there back to Oshkosh. It was a lot of driving in one weekend, but so much fun to go back to the city and see some friends!

That's the recap of our weekend in Chicago. Here are more pictures from the rest of our week!

Taking her Amoxicillin like a champ!

Superstar!!

Helping Daddy build the new cabinet:

So tired that she fell asleep shopping!

Petting Aunt Kimmy's kitty:


And to get you in the holiday spirit... Merry Christmas from the Josephs Family (and Betty White!!) **Make sure to pause the music on the right side for full Christmas pleasure!**

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