A Weekend Full of Adventure

The first weekend in April brought us some great visitors my cousin Alison, her husband Scott, their 2 kids Elizabeth and Freddie, my aunt Mary, and my uncle Fred. They drove down from Minnesota on Friday and then Friday night we had a very nice dinner at cousin Joanne's but Saturday was when the fun really began. Saturday morning we all got on the train to Chicago. Freddie was SO EXCITED for the train but, he has a funny way of showing it...

When we got to Chicago we split up into two groups, the boys went one way and the girls went another.

Girls day...

The girls headed right for the American Girl store. Have you heard of this phenomenon? It is AMAZING!! American Girl Dolls are a line of dolls that come with their own series of books. Many of the dolls are historical so they teach girls all about the time that they "lived" in. This might be the biggest store I have ever been in. This store has 3 full floors of shopping and activities.

As soon as we got to the store we went shopping. At this store you can get the same outfit for the doll as you get yourself...too cute!! Elizabeth and her doll got a very nice new lavender dress. Next we had lunch. This store has it's own restaurant where they have a special seat for the dolls.

After lunch there was more shopping and then the doll went to the hair salon. Yes, there is a special salon for the dolls.

At the store we also went to a live doll review show. After the American Girl store we walked Michigan Avenue, it was a beautiful day out and it was a perfect day for a walk.

Boys day...

The first stop for the boys was a trip to the top of the Sears tower. The Sears tower stands at 1,450 feet and 110 stories high. The Sears Tower is the tallest building in North America and the third tallest building in the world.

After the Sears tower the boys headed to the Field Museum, one of the great museums in Chicago. The must see at the Field Museum for Freddie was Sue.

Sue is the largest, most complete, and best preserved Tyrannosaurus rex fossil yet discovered and a HUGE treat for a 4 year old!

As an added bonus they also say mummys.

After the museum we all met back at the train station for a well deserved adult beverage.

Saturday night we all went to Ted's Montana Grill. Ted's is one of Jim and my favorite places right now. Ted's specializes in Buffalo burgers. Yes, tatonca. They are delicious! They are extremely lean, juice, and just plain finger licking good.

Thanks for coming everyone we had a GREAT time and we can't wait to see you again!!!

Not exactly the weekend we planned...

Last weekend my mom came to town and it was not exactly the weekend we had planned. My mom came in to town on Thursday and then on Friday my mom, my cousin Joanne, Jim, and I drove to Minnesota for my grandfather's funeral. 5 plus hours later we where in there!

My Grandpa's funeral was very nice. It was Hawaiian themed and very well done.

The highlight of the weekend was spending time with the Suhler-Hart clan and my cousin Joanne's very 1st trip to Starbucks. Can you believe it?!?! Her VERY 1st Starbucks coffee.

My mom and dad had a difficult time getting home. My dad was flying out of Minnesota and his flight was delayed for 3 hours and then they lost his luggage. My mom on the other hand tried to fly out on Monday but...her flight was cancelled and she was unable to get her luggage back and her luggage flew to Seattle without her on Monday. The good thing about that is that i got an extra day with her and her flight did successfully leave on Tuesday.

This weekend we have the Suhler-Hart clan visiting us here in Chicago...it should be a blast!!!