{chicago}

We're home! We spent the past week thoroughly enjoying The Windy City, so much in fact, we didn't have time to do all the things that we wanted to do. I guess we'll just have to go back! :)
In the city where we live, there is a wonderful arts center, that is a part of a reciprocal program that most of the museums in Chicago belong to as well. For an annual fee of $60, we not only are members to our own center for the arts, but we can visit any of the other participating museums for free. On our list we had: Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier and the Children's Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, Legoland Discovery Center (grand opening--US), Adler Planetarium, Buckingham Fountains, and of course the Magnificent Mile. We made a plan outlining which museums we would be visiting each day, but that ended up totally changing. We loved the Museum of Science and Industry so much that we stayed there all day, and thus weren't able to visit some others on our list. I wouldn't change a thing though--Ryan was in heaven, and even the girls (that I worried about a little) did really well and enjoyed everything too.
Thanks to a great tip from a friend, we found a really, really good deal on a hotel, and stayed in Schaumberg, not too far from downtown. We took our time in the mornings, eating breakfast, getting ready, and just being more relaxed, which we all needed. We stayed downtown all day, and then drove back for dinner, swimming, and more relaxing.
It was such a wonderful family trip--we created a lot of memories together.

SHEDD AQUARIUM





HOTEL ARRIVAL



LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER

I think Ryan was the most excited about going here. He talked about it for weeks ahead of time, and it didn't disappoint. The lego creations were phenomenal, along with the "Dragon Ride", Lego Building room, and the 4-D movie. One of the most amazing displays was that of the Chicago skyline (portion shown below), using more than 10 million Legos!

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY

Wow. This was our favorite place, and we could have easily stayed longer. We weren't able to take pictures in several of the areas we were in, so I don't have as many as I would have liked. We took a tour of the U-505, a German submarine that was captured during WWII. It was the first enemy ship to be captured in 129 years, and played a very significant part in ending the war with Germany. The United States confiscated over 900 lbs. of intelligence, and were able to keep that a secret from the Germans until the end of the war. They also have a coal mine, where you are able to mimic a coal miner's actions--riding down in the elevator, seeing all the machinery, riding in the coal cars, and viewing all the parts of a coal mine. It was fascinating. From farming to chemical processes, they had it all. Rick and Ryan also went in a flight simulator, as part of the US military exhibit. Ryan was the pilot, and thought it extremely funny to keep is dad upside down the whole time! They had a camera inside the simulator, so were able to not only see, but hear the whole thing. Rick didn't know about the audio, and everyone in the room was cracking up at him and his hysterics. :)

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

Our last day we went to Navy Pier and the Children's Museum. We didn't have as much time as I would have wanted, because the museum was chock-full of things to do and see. The kids had a really great time.


GINO'S

We wanted to experience Chicago pizza, so we went to Gino's in downtown Chicago for dinner one night. In addition to being famous for their deep-dish pizza, they are also known for having everyone that visits their restaurant sign their name--on walls, railings, booths, picture frames--you name it, it was signed! All I had was crayons, but the kids didn't care. They just thought it was the coolest thing ever that they were allowed to write on the walls and furniture!


I'm so glad we went, and now I'm happy to be home!