Our Chicago Trip

Finally. A Chicago post. This is a VERY long, picture heavy post!!!!

We didn't get on the road until almost noon on our way there. NOT a good idea for what we anticipated would be a 10 hour drive. But, oh well. We picked up Brett's Grandma and were on our way. Thank goodness she was with us because she was able to entertain Mady when she'd get antsy. However, on the way there, we didn't need her distraction much. Mady did FANTASTICALLY. She stayed on her schedule for the first 6 hours of the trip. We were amazed. She slept when she normally slept, was awake and happy during the times she would normally be awake. About 6 hours in, she was ready for a break....but we all were. After that we needed to make more quick stops just to give Mady a rest from the carseat. All in all though, she did so well. We were impressed.

On Thursday, our first full day in IL we found Mady's second tooth!!! And then, my Dad, sister, nephews Nathan and TJ and niece Ali came to visit. The kids were IN LOVE with Mady. I'm so glad they got to meet one another. I'm so glad I got to see them. The kids all fought over who would sit next to me, who got to sit across from me, etc. It was so cute.






Friday, we had kind of a lazy day. On Friday night, we had some family visitors.
With my Uncle Tom:

With My Dad:

With My Uncle Jim and Aunt Tyra:


Then on Saturday, we went into downtown Chicago. Back when planning our Destination Wedding, I became great friends with a group of girls I "met" on an online forum. We were all planning our Destination Weddings together and we've all stayed great friends. We know the ins and out of one another's lives and some of them have become my very best friends. We decided to have a get together in Chicago. There were somewhere around 15 of us (plus kids and some hubbys!), from all over the country. Most of the girls spent all weekend together downtown, but I had to squeeze other things into our visit so we just met everyone on Saturday. Anyway, we had a great time and I'm so glad we all got to meet. Here are all of the babies and Mamas!

We all went to the Children's Museum at Navy Pier. The museum was a bit too old for Mady, but she had fun doing the things she could.









And finally, on Sunday, we went to my Aunt and Uncle's lakehouse. There we spent MORE time with family. Mady got to meet lots of my cousins and their kids. Including, my cousin Tracy's kids. Tracy came to Iowa when Mady was 3 weeks old, so she'd already met Mady. But, Mady was able to meet Maggie, Ailish and Maeve this trip. (Somehow Maeve didn't make it into the pictures I have.)




On Monday, we headed home. Mady didn't do as well on the drive home, but, what could we have expected? All in all, it was a great trip. Always goes by so quickly, but it was nice to get home too. =)