Chicago Trip AKA We're Almost There Alice

Brian had a conference in Chicago May 16th-18th, so we decided to go visit as a family the weekend before.  

On Friday, we had to wait around for the UPS man to deliver our new bike trailer because we wanted to use our bikes as the main means of transportation. The invoice said it would be delivered in the "afternoon". Turns out it was the last working hours of the day, 5:30 PM.  

We finally got on the road, got lost trying to find a gas station somewhere in farmland Illinois, and got into our hotel late the night. The girls were great!  Alice got a little tired of being strapped in the car seat, so we said, "We're almost there, Alice!" Turns out that was sort of the theme of the trip. When we arrived in our hotel Scarlett was very excited to be in a "house with just a bedroom with two beds". 

The first time driving in from our hotel (about 30 minutes) we had a little frustration trying to get in the right lane to make it to the Navy Pier parking structure.  But we finally decided to ignore our GPS and follow the signs. Here we are cruising the LakeFront Trail. It was fairly busy, even though it was quite the blustery day.

After a little misdirection from me, we pedaled our way over to Lincoln Park Zoo from the Navy Pier.

Hippos were a favorite.

After just a few exhibits, we were hungry.  Chicago novices on the first day, I tell you. This was the park we played at while we waited for burgers and salad bar at R. J. Grunt's. Nummy.

I was too lazy to go find the photo Brian took of me trying to successfully balance my bike over my head. It was trickier than I thought.

The girls decided to give us (and each other) some peace and fell asleep in the trailer cuddling.  This is the first time they're ever snuggled for longer than 1 minute.  So cute. So silent.

Pretty chipper after waking up before Scarlett at Navy Pier.

Swimming at the hotel was the biggest hit out of all the fun places we saw.

Showing us the breakfast area.

At breakfast we were always given the giggles and awwwwes from the other vacationers.

Maggie Daley Park.  Spent most of the second day here, after spending a little time at the aquarium.  It definitely kept the girls happy!

Coolest park ever.

Off to see the bean at Millennium Park.

The view of the lake from the top of the lighthouse slide.

Swimming by ourselves after we dropped Brian off Monday morning. My plan was to tire them out before I embarked on the 3.75 hour drive home.

Scarlett showing off her bacon.

Dropped to sleep after half an hour in. Taken at a gas station I filled at that had very loud TVs at the pump.  The girls were absolutely amazing and both slept about 2 hours of the drive home.  Couldn't have been better.