Downtown Chicago 8/19

Downtown Chicago 8/19, a set on Flickr.

Today we decided to head downtown to see the planes practicing for the Chicago Air and Water Show. We visited the Federal Reserve Money Museum, Daley Plaza, Mag Mile, Fountains, Millenium Park and enjoyed the Grant Park Symphony and Chorus performing Verdi's Requiem.

Tourist for a day...

Friday we had a great time at the Bears Family Night. We're looking forward to Football starting back up.

Sunday we were Chicago Tourists for a day. We got there early, shopped a little and did lunch at Billy Goat. We really enjoyed their children's show, The Emperor's New Clothes. After the show the sun came out so we rode the ferris wheel and did some of the other rides.

Day in Chi-Town

School was closed today so Chris and the kids spent the day downtown. They had a pretty full day...
-Train ride
-Money Museum at the Federal Reserve
-Bus ride
-Adler Planetarium
-Chicago-style hotdog for Lunch
-Northerly Island
-Buckingham Fountian
-Crown Fountain
-Train ride home
-Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs movie in 3D

Chicago Children's Museum

Saturday we took one of Meg's friends with us to the Chicago Children's Museum. The kids had a great time building a house and a skyscraper in the construction areas.

Check out the story we made while making our skyscraper.

Labor Day Weekend Downtown

We had a great Labor day weekend. Friday night we had dinner with some friends. Saturday we had a nice time at a party with all of Meg's old friends from Little Peoples. Sunday we did our big trip downtown.

Sunday morning we took the train downtown. We caught the free trolley to Navy Pier and went to the Children's Museum. We had walked to the end of Navy Pier to enjoy the view and then cooled off in the fountain in front of Navy Pier. Then we split up. Meg and Mom went to see the American Girl Revue while Dad and Zach went to the Lego store and ESPN zone. Meg was very excited to get her first American Girl Doll while Zach had a great time playing games. After we checked into the hotel (Hyatt Regency) we walked through Millennium Park and then sat and enjoyed the Chicago Jazz Festival. This was Zach's favorite part because he got another lightsaber to add to his collection. We then walked closer to Navy Pier and found a spot to watch the fireworks. Zach fell asleep as we waited, but the rest of us enjoyed them. Monday morning we went back to Millenium Park to see the bean again and play in the fountain. We then headed to the train stopping and checking out the sites along the way. Everything worked out very well.

St. Louis Trip

We had a fun mini-vacation in St. Louis last weekend.
Fri - City Museum, Flamingo Bowl, Renaissance Hotel
Sat - The Gateway Arch, Magic House, Grandpa's Birthday Party
Sun - Missouri Botanical Gardens 

Brother and Sister Love

Wednesday Meg had her first full day of school. She loved it. Its nice that 2 of her friends from Little People's are in her class.

Sunday we took the train downtown. We saw the mag mile, millenium park, and jazz fest. We spent the night at the Hiltion Towers. The scariest part of the trip was when Meg got her foot stuck in an escalator at Nordstroms. Mom pulled Meg from the escalator to find that her croc had been cut in half. Luckily her foot was ok, we were pretty worried.

Monday we came home after swimming in the hotel pool and doing breakfast at Orange. That afternoon we went to a little party with some of Meg's friends. Have a great week everyone!!!

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Visitors from Cali

Last week we had crazy weather. It rained every day. Thursday we had winds up to 70 mph and too much rain. Our backyard was actually flooded. We had a little seepage into the basement, but at least we didn't lose power in the thunderstorms (lots of people did).

This weekend Aunt Margaret and Allison came to visit and check out colleges. Saturday we took them to the Niki in the Garden exhibit at the Garfield Conservatory. Sunday we toured Northwestern University and then went to see Blue Man Group. Meg came along and loved it.

Today was Meg's open house at school. Tuesday will be her first day of school.

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Fun Getting Wet

Amazingly, we had a weekend with nothing planned. After a week of taking care of a sick Zach, that was quite a relief. He had croup and felt pretty lousy.

Saturday, Dad and the kids did some geocaching then we did some cleaning inside to avoid the heat.

Sunday, spur of the moment, we decided to head downtown. We caught the train in Brookfield, then rode the free trolley up to the Mag Mile. We had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe and then walked down to Millenium Park for some fun in the fountain. We had a great time!

Finally, a special congratulations goes out to our friend Maryann on her retirement!

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Happy Fourth!

We had a pretty fun week! Monday, Grandma stayed with Meg while Zach went to school. They all met us downtown for dinner where we heard a Broadway in Chicago selection at the Taste of Chicago. Tuesday we said goodbye to Grandma and then went to a party at one of Meg's Kindergarten friends houses. Wednesday we went to the Brookfield Parade and then to the Nash's house. Thursday, I stayed home and took Meg swimming. Friday Meg got to come to my work. We brought everyone bagels in the morning and then went to the Taste of Chicago for lunch. Meg liked the ribs, but we've got to work on her adventurous spirit! Saturday we did another geocache in a gorgeous forest preserve in Oak Brook before their last swim lesson. After swim lessons they hung out in the splash park for a little while. It was a very hot Saturday. Sunday we are going to a small pool party which should be fun.

UPDATE: Meg fractured her wrist Sunday morning, she'll be in a cast for 4-6 weeks.

Zach's last day of swimming

Zach was still sick on Monday, but he was better by Tuesday. Thursday Meg got sick though. We got her on amoxocillin and she was feeling better in no time.

Friday night Grandpa Goellner came up for a visit. We went out for dinner and then Elizabeth went out for a 'girls night out' while Meg and the boys watched a movie at home.

Saturday we had Meg and Zach's last Saturday swim lesson. Zach did great in swimming, we'll have to look for more sessions this summer. Meg will continue with her Wednesday classes, and soccer will start filling our Saturday mornings soon.

Sunday we went to see a children's show at Navy Pier. The show was great and it was a beautiful day to walk around. We had a great time this weekend.


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