Chicago

Well, I am the worst blogger ever! However, I did want to blog about our trip from last week.  There is no way to fit this all in a Facebook album and I want to document.  My family decided to take a trip to Chicago this summer and drive there from Nashville.  There is 10 of us now (including spouses and babies).  We actually took a 15 passenger van from Nashville to Chicago.  Lots of together time, but pretty cool.  The babies did well, and my dad actually gave his best shot at watching Catching Fire.  There was a lot of explaining to do on that one.  If my wallet was as big as my dreams of traveling, I would have gone to a lot more places by now.  This was my first time going to Chicago, although I have wanted to go for some time.  I have been to New York several times, and I guess that is the closest thing to compare it to.  My family had this comparison discussion several times on the trip.  New York is so big and the sheer size and character is what makes it so special.  I absolutely love New York.

The thing that makes Chicago so neat (in my opinion) is the water that surrounds and goes through the city.  I was surprised at what a pretty and clean city it was.  The people were also really friendly.  My sister did a great job booking a hotel in the heart of downtown for an incredible rate.  Right in front of the hotel we had the North River and the heart of downtown.  Off to the right a few blocks down we had Lake Michigan and Navy Pier Park.  Couldn't have asked for a better view.  Between eating great food and watching fireworks from Navy Pier on the 4th, it was an amazing time all around.   Below are some pictures and highlights.

View right outside of our hotel the first day

Best place we ate by far was Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza.  I want some right now just looking at the picture!

Stalker time.  Bill and Guiliana's house.  My other favorite restaurant was the Pancake House right down the street that we ate at that morning.  Best chocolate chip pancakes I've ever had.

After the pancakes, we went walking by the water and beach.  Pretty awesome.

View from the sky deck in the Willis "Sears" Tower.  Loved the scenery.  We were told that the locals refuse to call it by it's new name - Willis Tower.  So in the spirit of Chicago, let's call it the Sears Tower.

The best thing we did was the Architecture tour on a boat through downtown Chicago.  Beautiful views and very interesting.

Creepy picture by me of a kayaker.  Charlie and my brothers did this the last day on the North River.  They said it was their favorite thing.

Right outside of the Bears stadium.

Grant park

Buckingham Fountain.  Beautiful.  We did so much walking this day.  Had to work off those pancakes.

The famous bean in Millennial park

We had to get some Garrett's popcorn.  The Chicago mix was delicious.  There was a line down the street to get in.

On the last day we did a tour of the cubs stadium.  We wanted to go to a game, but they weren't playing while we were there.  I would definitely recommend the tour.  It was the 100 year anniversary and not much has changed at this park in 100 years.

On the field.

Charlie got a few "Roll Tide's" wearing this shirt.  My dad actually yelled Roll Tide at a random guy wearing an Auburn shirt at the Sears Tower.  I think it took him by surprise.  

Special thanks to my brother in law who did a lot of the planning for this trip.  Made it easier on the rest of us.