June Chicago Trip

It is JUNE...and in a house with teachers..that means VACATION!
I really look forward to June each year. I feel like in this month we accomplish a lot.  Before the month arrives we find ourselves making a "To Do" list of all the things we want to get done in this month of "no commitments". Even though this year Pete decided to teach summer school for three weeks this month, we were able to find some time for a vacation.

We decided to go visit my sister Kristin, who lives in Chicago. So we loaded up and headed east to Chi-town! Whenever going on a "vacation" with a two year old, we always anticipate lots of "excitement". 
HOWEVER
Cael was a ROCK STAR this entire trip!
We had a few moments that weren't as pleasant as the others but overall he did SO well! We were so relieved and proud of him.

After we arrived to Kristin's place on Friday night we needed to get out of the car and stretch a little. She took us to a park that was just down around the corner from her apartment and that was perfect for Cael. He played for a bit and got some energy out after been cooped up in car for 6 hours.

 

 

Look mom...I can do the monkey bars!

 

Daddy being silly!

 We ate dinner at a place called Meatheads and then enjoyed some custard at a place called Scooters. It was all very delicious!

"I want to DO IT MYSELF"

 

Then on Saturday we headed to Lincoln Park Zoo. This is a FREE zoo that is open to the public.  For being FREE it was a large zoo with great sights to see! All sorts of animals and things to do. We highly recommend going here if you ever visit Chicago.

 

 

 

 

Aren't nearly all pictures of 2 year old boys...blurry! Busy. Busy. Busy.

 

 

Meerkat...I see you!

I think that this polar bear knew that he had eyes watching him because he was putting on quite the show. Cael and I were standing by the window as he swam by and kicked the window.  Cael wasn't quite sure of it because he doesn't understand the concept of the "glass window" that separates us from the bear. I could have watched him all day!  What an amazing creature!

 

He climbed this entire thing all on his own!

Navy Pier ferris wheel

Waiting in line for our turn to ride this big WHEEL!

Skyline view from the top of the Wheel!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Riding the Trolley to the "subway".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was so bummed, when I realized I didn't take a single picture of him on the "L". He thought this was so neat! It was loud but he loved it!

Our Saturday evening was topped off with some delicious deep dish pizza! I didn't get many pictures taken after this point for several reasons. One major one being, little boy was over stimulated and super tired! And quite frankly....so were the adults!

It is always great to see and spend time with my sister "Krissy"! We wished she lived a bit closer and we could see her more often than we do.  We loved watching Cael enjoy the big city. There was so much to see and take in while we were there. This was one of those "brain growing" experience that I love to give our son.

In the end, I think our little country boy (and his mommy and daddy) prefer the wide open spaces and quietness that our country life has to offer instead of that city life!

Our 2013 summer vacation will go down as memorable and enjoyable!