In February we decided to tag along with Travis to his meetings in Chicago. It seemed simple enough, it always does though doesn't it?!
lolWe decided to split our drive time in half on the way out and we were lucky enough to be able to spend the night with Jason, Gina and Kale. We had a fun night of pizza, cupcakes and hanging out. We were super glad to see the Pollards and grateful that we would only have to drive 3 hours in the morning.
Travis' meetings started at noon and we were there early enough to check in and load up the kiddos in the double stroller so that we could go find something to eat. Unfortunately for me there were only escalators leading to the lower levels and Travis needed to get to his meeting for lunch. Luckily I had brought my sling so that Andi,
TJ, Cooper and I could head off to enjoy the lower levels and lunch. It was interesting to say the least but we made it during probably the craziest time of the day where everyone was trying to get something to eat quick. I was very grateful that my kiddos decided (for some reason) to be on the best behavior. We made several more trips walking by ourselves to the lower level because really what else can you do in a hotel room with 3 kids for 8 hours 2 days in a row?
Travis got back after the kids were (finally) a sleep that night and left early right before they woke up. The kept asking when daddy would come back-they didn't believe me that he had slept in the room with us. Even though the meetings ran a few hours later than we expected he did get done in time for us to do a little sight seeing Friday afternoon at the John Hancock Building and a few stores on Michigan Ave. On Saturday we got to explore the
Shedd Aquarium. It was definitely worth the wait even if 4 out of 5 of us went a little crazy in the hotel! :)
We had lots of time to fill (it really adds up when all 3 of your kids get up before 6:30,
don't take naps and wont fall a sleep
until almost 10pm!) but we did a pretty good job of keeping ourselves busy. Besides making a few trips to the lower level to enjoy some ice cream we also....
colored,
found and read some new books,
(wonder if helped?!)
and just hung out!
The boys really liked looking out the window- they saw lots of interesting things!
Andi and
TJ at the top of the John Hancock Building
a view of the city from the
JH Building
Navy Pier in February
We have decided that we need to go back in the summer to visit it!
We got to see lots of really neat things including beluga whales, dolphins, sharks, sting rays, an octopus, lots of fish and other cool things. We also got to see Fantasea, the aquatic show where they had whales, dolphins, sea lions and penguins do tricks for us. Of course you couldn't use a flash anywhere in the aquarium so I didn't get very many pictures at all!
Sea Lions at the
Shedd Aquarium
We had to look closely to find this yellow fish.
One of the favorites finds-
Nemo!
a sting ray
TJ up close with a sting ray
an iguana
waiting to hold a sea star
a view of Chicago from outside the aquarium
The Belt Family outside the Aquarium
Yeah for spring and playing outside! 
Cooper chilling outside with his daddy.
Go Andi go! She loves her new scooter!
Our little daredevil TJ loves his scooter too!
Good for 2! Andi says she can't wait till she can play basketball like Kelly and Abbey.
running off some energy...
and taking time to pose for a picture.
They even got to ride with their dad in Papa Jim's new tractor! They are still a little concerned that it is not a "big green tractor" but I'm guessing they will allow it because they got to ride in it. lol
4 wheeler rides are always looked forward to (especially when Travis takes all 3 kids!) After all their "looking" for deer horns they finally came back with some loot and they are very proud of it!
