Family Vacation

As I just mentioned, we were able to take a much-needed vacation this spring to Chicago. It's somewhere that I have always wanted to go, so we packed our bags and stroller and hit the big city. I was surprised by how kid-friendly Chicago is -- every museum we went in had an area especially designed for small children to play and learn. The weather was incredible; we had a little rain one day but clear blue skies the rest of the time. We weren't really sure what to expect temperature-wise, and Chicago did not disappoint: the weather went from downright cold and windy at the beginning of the week to shorts and flip flops by the time we left. We stayed downtown at the Hyatt Regency and were able to walk everywhere we went (except one museum we had to take the bus to).We also happened to be in town while the city was celebrating Spring with hundreds of thousands of tulips.

Some of the really cool things we did while we were there:

Took an architectural tour of the city on a water taxi

Saw the city from the top of Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower)
Got our picture taken with Sue at The Field Museum
Went to Lincoln Park Zoo and saw farm animals
Shopped the Magnificent Mile
Played in the Children's Museum at The Navy Pier
Ate the Best Pickles Ever Made
Had The Most Amazing Dinner in a Brazilian Steakhouse
Found the most delightful little breakfast spot

Some photos of our fun:

playing at the children's museum

playing in the park

Daddy and Olivia at the fountain

Sue at the Field Museum

checking out the view from the Sky Deck

walking to the Zoo on Lakeshore Drive

Silverback at the Zoo posing for his picture

It was really windy at Navy Pier

There was an entire farmhouse section of one of the museums. I guess those city kids don't get to see cows.

View from the boat tour

How cool is this sculpture? Olivia got to play in the water at the end of the week once it warmed up

Tulips blooming everywhere!