Family on the road.
[ Chris + Simon on the swings at Navy Pier ]
We've been in Chicago for just about a week now.
We combined a couple of work things (me teaching a class at Windy City last Thursday + Chris attending the Democratic Leadership Council annual meeting this past weekend) with some sightseeing and family fun/adventure.
We embarked on lots of tourist stuff: an architectural boat ride up the river, checked out the Lincoln Park Zoo, Millenium Park, Navy Pier, the Lego Store, the Shedd Aquarium, etc. I think Simon liked the Lego Store the best.
Chicago is a very cool city - I have been here many times but always ended up out near the convention center for CHA (will be back here for that next month) and just not enough time/energy to be able to come downtown and see all the tall buildings and hustle + bustle.
My travel reality: I am wiped out. I think I am much more of a beach vacation person...where there is very little to do except relax by the pool. I think Simon does better with that too - all the coming and going and walking of an active vacation takes its toll fairly quickly (even when focusing on the kid-friendly activities).
We heard a lot of "will you pick me up?" and "are we getting a cab?"
Chris mastered the public transportation system by the second day (the first day included way, way too much walking and whining while looking for the right bus). We spent lots of time on buses and on the train (Simon loved both of those).
Random silly memory: Simon and I ordered room service the last two nights while Chris was in meetings and we had a lady that brought up our dinner and each time she would say, "beautiful order, beautiful order." Made me giggle both nights.
Here's a look at some of my favorite photos from the week:
Simon in the hotel room at Hotel Allegro (got a deal through Priceline - another one of those things that Chris loves to experiment with). Cool, modern hotel with very small rooms.
On one of those great double-decker buses. We stayed on here until we were all melting in the heat.
On the small train at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Checking out the view from the Sears Tower.
Lots and lots of looking up. The buildings here are really amazing. I especially am a fan of the combination of old and new mixed in together.
Playing with goodies from the Lego Store.
I definitely have enough photos and memories for some creative documenting. Looking forward to time to play with the photos + words soon and looking forward to getting back to "regular life." I also have some plans for a couple upcoming series I hope to get underway in the next couple of weeks.
Happy Monday!
Love it Ali - and I agree with Simon - Lego land would be Brodys favorite also (and I think probably mine - because of how much he would enjoy it)
Glad your back and had a great adventure.
We have also had a busy week with our final interview for a service dog for Brody - we are so excited - got some great pictures and that will be my next project!!
Happy day to you all.
Nicky
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sounds like a fun adventure at the windy city!!! I'm with you on the beach vacation thing, but the city can be fun for an experiance. Can't wait to see your documentation projects....
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Hey Ali,
So glad that you were able to take in the sites of Sweet Home Chicago...the city is really amazing and there is so much to see and do. There are things that I have yet to do with my family as the city is constantly changing and growning and I live here (LOL)
We really appreciate you taking the time to come and visit us at Windy City Scrapbooking...you are an awesome artist and I enjoyed taking the class with you. You already have me thinking outside of the box and moving out of my comfort zone and for that...I thank you
Enjoy the rest of your family vacation.
See you in July during CHA
Al
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I truly love your blog, because it is so real, so genuine. Your life philosophy is shining through your posts (and books) and is very inspiring to me.
I was a "beach vacation girl" myself, until I have met my husband. He likes to squeeze in as much activities as possible and never gives up. The deal is that I am grumpy a little bit when we are climbing uphill for too long, or going to too many places, BUT at the end of the day, my feet would kill me and my back would ache and I will be more than exhausted, however, I'd have a pocket full of memories and experiences that I would never have stumbled upon, had I laid back at the beach all day :)
During our time together I have learned to enjoy the process as well and be less grumpy, as I remember the price at the end of the path.
I believe that somehow it resonates with your life philosophy. Enjoy the process, even when the going gets tough. To remember that life is actually all about living.
Thank you for that.
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Hey Ali! Next time you are in Chi-town, we have to meet up! If I would have been there (and not in France), I would have brought Lukas and Noah down on the train to show Simon our favorite spots :)) You are a brave women to be traveling so (don't I know it!). We are having great fun in France, but I TOTALLY know what you mean about the hectic travel stuff. It's pretty hard with (and on) the little guys, not mention us! Talk to you soon we we get back, I have several traveling/food questions for you - hehehehe :))
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I'm glad you enjoyed the windy city! I've lived here my entire life and I think you saw more of the city than I have in my 30+ years here. It's a sad reality that a lot of suburbanites have never really journeyed into the big city.
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I love that photo of you & Simon together. You both have such amazing eyes!
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Glad you enjoyed your stay in Chicago, and thanks for a great class at Windy City. Hope you found Paper Source OK.
Jeanne
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The first pic is amazing! I love it... glad you had a good family time
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Sounds like you had fun. This may sound silly but even though we don't know each other I missed you while you were gone. I missed reading your daily entries. I've grown accustomed to getting up and getting my breakfast and coffee and sitting down and reading your blog. I was a little "lost" without it. Since I've only been reading it daily for a couple of months now it got me delving into other parts of the site. I found some great things I hadn't discovered. So I guess in that respect it was a good thing! Welcome home!
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What great fun! You are so blessed to have the opportunity to travel/work with your family in tow.
Cute pic's!
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Thanks for the great class at Windy City!Glad you have enjoyed your Chicago vacation
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sounds like a fabulous time ali - love the pic of simon with the star wars lego ship (I am sure we have that one somewhere)....
have a great week!
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okay, this is how much of a nerd I am. I thought that was your arm in front of you and simon in the double decker bus pic and I was going to yell at you for not wearing sunscreen and getting all sunburned.
And then I remembered your mole removals. And I looked again at the picture and realized it was the seat in front of you :)
I'm glad you had a great time in Chicago, and even happier that you'll be there again next month for CHA!
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Oh wow, it looks like you guys had such a great time! I'm with you though, I get exhausted from site-seeing vacations like that!
:) Becky
http://www.stinkylemsky.typepad.com/
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*looks around*
There are so many Chicagoland people here! I'm waving to all of you from just a bit farther north. I can say that I am officially more bummed than ever that I didn't find out about the Windy City Scrapbooking class until it was already sold out. And bummed that CHA isn't looking very likely either.
Love seeing "my" city through someone else's eyes and glad that you and Chris and Simon are enjoying it.
*hugs you all*
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Glad you like Chicago. I was born and raised there, and worked at Navy Pier so I rode that swing ride a dozen times; plus that's where I met and married my husband, so it's a sentimental destination. Love WC Scrapbooking too, was there the other weekend when I was in town. There's a lot of cool scrapbooking stores in the northern suburbs too, next time you're in town.
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We just returned from Chicago & my son is talking about going back to the Lego story--was a certain favorite for him, too! Isn't that city amazing? I am always so inspired when I visit there--although I also had the feeling this year that for next year's vacation, I want to sit on a beach & do nothing. It totally wiped me out too!
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Had a great time at your class on Thursday. Cannot wait to fill my fun album with July photos and words. Thank you so much for making the trip; glad you could combine it with some family fun.
Barb
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Sounds fun! We love priceline.com too :) Thats what we used for our overnight adventure this pass weekend!
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OMG...that looks like such fun!!!
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Chicago is one of those places I'm so glad I visited when I was able to travel. The city just has a cool vibe to it. I have to say that Simon is so much more courageous than I am... I think I would have been a little dizzy on those swings! I love seeing his adventurous spirit in the photos, even if the walking part got mundane :)
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ooh - you stayed at the allegro! i heard it's been remodled. hopefully they didn't change the funky bright colors and shapes and slight out-of-proportion aspect of the interior design - it reminds me dr. suess or perhaps something out of a tim burton movie, but brighter!
it's great w/the wine tastings every night and being right there in the theatre district. great choice. i'll bet simon really loved it!
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Love love love that first photo. And giggled a bit at Chris doing the standard parent-with-child-on-ride pose :-D XX's BethBG
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great photos of family vacation! Chicago is a wonderful place to go if you l ike hustle + bustle vacations. I agree with you though-sometimes a relaxing beach trip is the best thing ever!
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