Notre Dame at Soldier Field...YES, Please!!!

 When we found out that Notre Dame was playing at Soldier Field, on our anniversary no less--we HAD to go!  The girls were a little bummed not to get to go to the game, but they were pretty satisfied with going to the American Girls store, Jamba Juice, and Sprinkles.  It was a bit chilly in Chicago--and windy of course--but, we made the most of it.  We left after school on Friday, dropped the dog off in Indy, and arrived at our hotel on the "Magnificent Mile" that night.  Saturday morning we headed straight American Girl after breakfast.  The girls did not get a new doll, but were allowed to pick out one outfit each...it took a while to decide.  Then we went to Jamba Juice.  It had been way too long...it was so good!  I LOVE the pumpkin smoothie!  Then we bought some Sprinkles to go, and even used the new "Cupcake ATM" to get a treat for Pumpkin ;)  We did a tiny bit of shopping before eating a late lunch/early dinner.

Ready for fun in the Windy City...

 

Cutie girls...

 

Jamba Juice...

 The Hancock Building...

Sprinkles...

Barry and I left the girls in the hotel room with my mom to watch the game on TV, while we walked over to Solider Field.  That's right.  We walked.  2.5 miles.  Each way.  But, walking is a free way to burn off all those calories from the pizza we ate ;).  We had great seats for the game (thanks to our neighbor).  And, the Irish were awesome! 

Cheering on the Irish...

 

Happy 11th Anniversary to us...

Soldier Field...

 From our seats...

 This morning we checked out of our room after breakfast, and walked to Mass--such a beautiful, old cathedral!  Then we had a delicious lunch at Giordano's...so good!!!  What a fun weekend!

Little Maren...

 

On the way to church...

Chicago pizza!

The Windy City...

After the girls' last swimming class on Thursday morning, we packed up the car and drove up to Chicago. The drive was fine until we hit major traffic on 65N north of Lafayette. There must have been an accident because we were completely stopped for 15 minutes before daddy decided to get off the highway. Yuck. Anyway, after arriving at our hotel just off the "Magnificent Mile" we got ready for a night on the town. We walked over to Navy Pier, where the girls enjoyed playing at the Children's Museum (and mommy and daddy enjoyed the free admission.) Then we ate dinner at Harry Caray's. How fun!

Checking out the view from our hotel

(the John Hancock building is on the right)...

Navy Pier...

Fun times at the Children's Museum...

Carsyn...

Holy Cow!

After dinner...

Navy Pier at night...

On Friday we all went down to the lobby for a leisurely breakfast before going up to Wrigleyville. The "L" was packed with (mostly) Cubs fans headed to the North side. We wanted to get to the park early so the girls could get their promotional American Girls Cubs outfit that they were giving away at the game. It was a beautiful day at Wrigley, weather wise. But, unfortunately the Cubs did not play that way. We were really hoping to get to hear "Go Cubs Go", but they lost again...to the Reds...again. That's our second time this season having to watch the Reds beat us! Oh well. We still had fun. On the way back to our hotel we delighted in some delicious Jamba Juice!

The Friendly Confines...

Carsyn...

Yes, this was Maren's first Cubs game (at Wrigley)--poor girl

had to wait 'til she was nearly four years old...

Enjoying the game with dad...

We are diehard fans, but we just couldn't stay any longer...

Yummm...

Back in our suite the girls couldn't wait to dress their dolls up in their new clothes. They even gave them their ice cream dishes to wear as batting helmets! You'll notice, though, that Carsyn's doll is only wearing her jersey...that's because her doll doesn't play baseball, she's just a fan ; )!

Go Cubbies...

Now that their dolls had new clothes, they needed a new hairdo's. So, we (reluctantly) took the girls to the American Girl Place for a style for Carsyn's doll and ear piercing for Logan's doll. Maren's doll has no hair, so she enjoyed a cupcake with daddy at the cafe. Afterward, we went out for some delicious Chicago-style pizza!

The girls at AGP...

Logan and Felicity's new earrings...

Carsyn and Elizabeth's new 'do...

Sunday morning after breakfast we headed across Lake Shore to the beach. The girls were so impressed with Lake Michigan and the fact that it was so close to downtown. They had so much fun playing. Next time we'll have to plan better and pack swim suits.

Beach girls...

Maren...

Carsyn...

Logan...

After the beach, we checked out the hotel with the idea of hitting Shedd Aquarium on our way home. However, we were very unpleasantly surprised to find a two-hour long line, outside--in the hot sun--just to purchase tickets. So, the girls settled for the Field Museum. Definitely not as fun as the aquarium, but a good time nonetheless.

Logan, bitterly walking up the stairs to the Field Museum...

Maren with Solider Field behind her...

Sue...

Wet Weekend in New York...

A three-day weekend from school? Where should we go? I know...New York. Well, that's what we would have done if we were still living in northern Virginia, and it wouldn't have taken a 9.5 hour car ride--both ways. But, we're adventurous and we thought, what the heck...let's go! So, immediately after school Thursday we hit the road. We stopped for the night in Harrisburg, PA. Daddy drove up from Washington and met us at the hotel. Friday morning after breakfast, we drove the rest of the way to New York. As soon as we checked into the hotel and changed clothes, the girls had plans to "shop 'til they dropped". However, Daddy was not on board with that plan. They settled with some sight-seeing and a visit to the American Girl Place. Afterward we enjoyed some yummy pizza.

The girls and the view from our hotel...

Ready to go out...

The girls in Times Square...

Carsyn at the American Girl Place...

Back at the hotel the girls got warm (and dry) in their pajamas, as we prepared dinner. The girls had fun watching and "I Carly" marathon on t.v. with Nana, while mommy and daddy went out to a show. We got tickets to see a new musical called "In the Heights", starring Corbin Bleu! Actually, this was one of the main reasons that we went to NYC. The show was really good (that's probably why it won a Tony for "Best Musical" in 2008). And Corbin was awesome. After the show he was out in the lobby (along with other cast members) collecting donations to "Broadway Cares". Was Barry thrilled with the idea of me waiting in line to meet Corbin Bleu? NO! But, he really didn't have a choice. (However, he pouted about it for the rest of the trip...jealous!) Anyway, Corbin was so nice. I told him how much the girls loved him and how we saw him at the Kids' Inaugural Concert last January. It was very cool!

Mommy and Daddy in Times Square...

Mommy and Corbin Bleu...

Saturday morning we enjoyed a nice hot breakfast at the hotel before heading out for the day. We took the girls (in the rain) up to 46th Street to see the theater that mommy and daddy went to the night before. Then--after over a year--the girls got to go to Jamba Juice. They were so excited, and it was nice to get out of the rain. Next we took the downtown train to Battery Park. Originally we had tickets for the Liberty Island ferry, but with all the rain the girls lost interest. Luckily we got our tickets refunded. So, we still haven't made it to the Statue of Liberty. But, at least the girls saw it (from a distance) this time. I guess that will just give us another excuse to go back to New York ; ). We walked around the Castle Clinton for a while, but the girls were ready to get back to our room and dry off.

Ready for another day in Manhattan...

In front of the Richard Rogers Theatre...

Jamba Juice, at last...

On the subway...

Can you see the Statue of Liberty in the background?...

Castle Clinton...

Saturday night we went out for an early dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner on Broadway. The girls had so much fun watching the singing wait staff and singing along. Logan particularly liked our waiter...she's so silly. Sunday morning we filled up on breakfast and got ready for our long drive home. We had a great weekend, rain and all. But, hopefully next time we'll have nicer weather.

Daddy and Maren at the diner...

Logan and Carsyn enjoying some show tunes...