It turned out lovely, and we even got to have a little birthday party with Aunt Barbie, Uncle Scott, Jake and Maggie. Ava and Maggie are saying America here instead of the traditional "cheese." Seemed appropriate. Why an American flag? When asked, Ava said it was because she is an America. Not American. Cute.Ava's birthday was the 16th, which also happened to be the same day a baby shower was planned for a dear friend of mine who lives in Chicago. After waiting for some time to have a child, my friend Becky recently found out she was pregnant with identical twins! It is truly a blessing from God, and I really wanted to be there to celebrate with her. So I took a little trip to Chicago for the weekend, with Ava's blessing (and bribing her with multiple birthday parties). My friend Coley went along for the ride and was able to visit some friends in Wheaton. Friday night we hung out downtown and just enjoyed Chicago. It is a beautiful city.
Kind of a bummer how foggy it was, but the Hancock building is still pretty. The next picture is a sculpture in Millenium Park. It looks like a giant silver jelly bean, but the point is you can see 360 degrees of the skyline as you walk around it. It really is pretty.
Saturday morning Coley and I headed south to my old stomping grounds near the University of Chicago. We got to check out the Rockefeller Chapel
And the Robie House, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Both very beautiful in very different ways.
We also feasted on Giordano's pizza, got chocolate at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory store, and ate really good Thai food. Good thing you walk a lot in the city! Another highlight of the trip for me was the shower and seeing several women that had been a part of a small group bible study with me when we lived in Chicago. It was so much fun reconnecting with these very special friends. It is always strange to me that whenever I go back, a little part of me feels like I am coming home. Strange because Andy and I only lived in Chicago for 2 years; we've lived other places much longer, including where we live now. I wonder if it is because that is where we lived when we were first married, or maybe because it is where I really matured into the person that I am now. It is also strange because I really only have fond memories of Chicago. I know we had tough times, and there were hard things about living in the city, but I can only think of good things. I always enjoy going back and visiting.
I was going to post more pictures, but for some reason, it won't let me. Next time!
2 comments:
If I ever go to Chicago, I think I'll take you and leave Kyle home. You'd be a great tour guide! Happy late birthday to sweet Ava.
Anytime, Aunt Sharon! It is fun to be tour guide. I'm pretty sure you would like the Ghirardelli store... :) And the architecture, of course.
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