Chicago, Ladies and Gentlemen!

We pulled out of the driveway at 4am and headed to Chicago. Tim had a conference so we decided to make a little vacation!

It's been awhile since I've seen the sun come up. It was more beautiful than I remember. Maybe it's because I now have a greater love in life. God gave me a child and I know that he loves her more than I could. That makes me love Him more. This sunrise was beautiful because that is how He wanted it.

Good morning sun! I've been waiting for you.

Oh Yes!! We had to stop at Ikea! We have made special trips just to go to Ikea in Minneapolis. We found out that there were two Ikea's in the Chicago area. Yes, my heart jumped for joy!

After Ikea, we stopped at a place called Potbellies for a bite to eat. We all LOVE chocolate shakes. Here Ruby and Dad race to see who gets done first...or a "brain freeze" first.

People are EVERYWHERE. Honestly, I was surprised they weren't in the bathroom stall with me. This business made me really appreciate Lincoln. The sun is sure pretty reflecting off all the buildings. Sears Tower is straight ahead.

Do I dare step out into this glass box 103 floors up??

There is a couple of small viewing window boxes to look out at the city made of glass. People up there acted like it was no big deal. A lot of them would lay down in the box. People were doing push ups and jumping while their friends took photos. Again, masses of people. When I was finally ready I had to squeeze my way in there. As Tim took photos, I would have an audience of people all watching and waiting their turn.

People are very friendly in Chicago. When you ask people how they're doing in Lincoln you get, "Good. OK. Great." for their response. In Chicago it's different. If you ask be prepared to get a detailed report on how their days is. If you stay long enough, you'll learn about there family, jobs and hobbies.

They are also SO willing to take a photo of your family for you. NICE, huh? Well, since I got this new camera I'm leery about handing it over, but I did it!

Goodbye Sears Tower. (It's the tallest tower in the back.) You were good to us! It was a good experience. I highly recommend it!

This guitar store came very highly recommended by a friend of Tim's that's a Chicago native. It was so worth going there. Tim soaked it all in and will some day be back.

This pizza is known to be the best in the city. It was quite a deal to pick it up in downtown Chicago. We had to park in yet another garage. I bet we spent probably $100 in garage parking over those 4 days. UGH, wasn't planning on that.

After placing our order on the phone, we still had to wait for an hour at the restaurant. We took it to go. A good thing too. This place was tiny! There was NO place to sit and if we would have waited to eat there, you would have had to squeeze in a tiny table and had waiters elbows in your food. Pass.

This bird was so still and pretty.

Hello Navy Pier!! If I could put you in my suitcase, I would take you home and put you in my back yard!

It was absolutely gorgeous out there. Ruby and I had the pier almost to ourselves. At quite a cost though. Here's the story.

We had to check out of our first hotel at 11am and were not allowed to check in our second hotel until 3pm. Tim had a meeting, so Miss R and I decided to head to the pier. Tim wrote out a detailed map and made sure that I was confident in dealing with the big bully called Chicago traffic.

I felt good and was excited. (OK, lets do this!) While driving in this traffic you have to "go with the flow" or you WILL get into a accident. I put on my racing gloves, buckled my belt, and put on a video for Ruby.

We were moving along really well. I was doing it! I was passing people, driving in the right lane and watching all the signs. I checked my mirrors and saw that the sky was getting really dark, the strom was rolling in fast and soon I was turning on my headlights.

Great... a storm. UGH. Suddenly traffic came to a stop. I was stuck in the far right lane as a storm came in and intense wind would have been throwing us around if I was moving. Ruby starts crying as she hears the thunder crash. The rain was so intense it sounded like rocks hitting the car.

My heart starts beating faster as I hear sirens coming my way. I start comforting Ruby as I sing "You Are My Sunshine." I knew I had to get off this interstate.

Shortly thereafter I saw an exit and we pushed our way over to the left lane. I then saw a Walgreen's. Perfect! A place of refuge. In we went. We played with hair ties, balls, toy lawn mowers and stuffed animals. Tim called and helped me build up confidence to make the drive. He said I was almost there and the rain was letting up. I bought Ruby some playdough and as we were leaving the power at Walgreens goes out. GREAT, what does this mean? Is the storm getting worse?

Well, I'm trusting what Tim said. And away we went.

He was right. I was only a few minutes away and it cleared up in no time. Actually, the storm scared everyone away so the pier was ours. Except for the nice man taking the photo. No Sir, you have to actually put the camera up to your eye and look through it the old fashion way. He still got a good shot.

She pulled the hat out of the bottom of the stroller and danced around.

Hotel bound, but first had to enjoy some good 'ol Chicago-style hot dogs. Put everything on it please!!!

Hello Millennium Park!

This sculpture is named "Cloud City" but everybody knows it as "The Bean." It seems to be many people's favorite place.

Yep, the great thing about "time-outs" is that they can be any corner, hallway, living room, park or city.

Here we are at the Crown Fountain. This was a good time here. Any time you have water close enough for Ruby to get her hands in, she will always be in a fantastic mood-whether it's in a bathroom where she is washing her hands or a sprinkler park.

These giant brick walls were like TVs. The faces would change frequently and would eventually have water shot out of their mouths.

She really didn't care so much for the waterfall as she did the water right under her feet.

A reflection of the photo below!

 Pretty skyline in the background.

Ready to head home?

Not yet...

We had to stop at American Girl for my mothers sake. She always wanted to take me and my daughter here. It was late and we were homeward bound after the park. If we went to American Girl, it would be driving in more downtown traffic and another parking garage which cost us $19. But it was very important to Tim that he got us there. Ruby was tired, but once she walked through those doors she was on cloud 9.

I was a bit choked up walking through those doors. Mom was supposed to be with me or so I thought.

Good night Chicago. We will be back some day. I hope you will learn some manners :)