Chicago 2.0

Right before school started up for Joe again, we were able to make our 2nd trip out to Chicago to visit my sister and her family. Although the coming home portion was rushed and hurried to get back, it was a pretty awesome trip!

We tried another of my sister's authentic Chicago Pizza places.

We spent a day at the beach. It was so fun. I even got in and went out and jumped waves. Totally felt like a 10-year-old kid again, only loved that it was fresh water and not salt water, and didn't have to get saved by any lifeguards. Loved that Brek and my nieces could even come out and jump the waves with us adults. Such a fun day!

She's such a cutie!

My sister and parents surprised Joe with an early birthday present. And boy was he surprised! They got the 2 of us tickets to see the Chicago Symphony perform at the Ravinia, with guest conductor Itzhak Perlman. It was awesome! They played Brahms' Academic Festival Overture, which was our favorite, as well as a Haydn cello concerto with Alisa Weilerstein, and Tchaikovsky Symphony #5. Fun night!

You can just barely see the tuba there between the back two rows of basses.

Full stage shot

Us at the end of the night

Special and very surprised boy!

My sister got my entire family some free VIP tickets to the Aquarium. Brek was cranky the whole day, but otherwise, it was very fun.

The view from the dolphin show seating.

Finally got him to go to sleep at the end of the day

The beautiful Chicago city skyline, which then inspired a variety of pictures.

This series cracks me up:

I think this is the best one I caught

He's still grumpy

Then we went and had Mediterranean food. Yum! My dad didn't like it much, and I'm not sure the kids did either, but I think the rest of us loved it. The schwarma was terrific and the hummus and pitas were amazing. The falafel was pretty good too.

Cute kiddos with grandma

So, the whole reason for our trip was that my niece Adelynne turned 8 back in July and was choosing to be baptized. She wore the same dress that my sister and I and our other niece Heather had worn to be baptized. (Also a bunch of other cousins have worn it too. All of our names and our baptism dates are embroidered in the dress.)

Love this girl!