Chicago--Day 1

Our trip to Chicago started Friday night the 27th. Layne took our kids to his parents' house that morning so they could enjoy some grandparent/Aunt Kristi time and some farm time! Our flights both got in around 9:45 that evening, but by the time we got our train passes and made our way to the hotel--it was 11:30 and we were tired. Walking into our 4 star hotel, we met many fancy people in dresses and there were lots of limos parked in front as well--we felt a little sluggish arriving with our suitcases and jackets around all the glamour! We were pretty sure that one of the schools were having prom at the hotel--it was fun to see the style of dresses! Even more fun to get to our room and go to sleep so we could start fresh on Sat.!

Sat. morning we took the bus to the Science and Industry Museum--they had a lot to see and do. Here are Brad, Dad, and Lindsey looking at an avalanche demonstration.

There were tornado examples, hot air balloons, hurricane demonstrations and more--lots of hands on items too.

Layne--playing with electricity!

A huge electric train set and more.

Layne talked me into doing a flight stimulator with him--he drove and I got to shoot the gun--it was a pretty jerky ride and it went upside down even--but we managed to gun down 2 other planes!

Layne and I in front of one of the first airplanes.

The massive submarine that was in the basement of this building--it blew you away how big it was!
I didn't take any pictures, but my favorite part of the museum was a display of baby fetus's--they had a fetus starting at 28 days old all they way to a full term fetus at 37 weeks--these babies were donated to science due to being stillborn--it was amazing to see each step of a baby's development.

We headed for lunch after the museum and then meet up with our cousins--Allison lives in Chicago and was so wonderful about sharing great information with us--and did some shopping. Macy's and H & M were a highlight today! Dad and Layne took a detour from shopping and rode the EL Train for another tour of Chicago. The weather was kind of a bummer--chilly and rainy both Sat. and Sunday afternoons, but we still managed to have some fun!

Saturday night we headed to Navy Pier and walked around to look at the shops there and to eat supper--we ate at Harry Caray's Restaurant, so it had a lot of fun baseball pictures and souvenirs.

After dinner we all enjoyed the fun music outside and the beautiful firework display!

Fireworks!