The Peninsula Hotel-Chicago

We loved our fancy Chicago hotel...Sydney especially loved taking a bath and watching Mickey Mouse on the TV. The treats were yummy and our Chicago style pizza from Giordano's was just delicious! Hope you enjoy all our chicago pictures!

Shedd Aquarium & Chicago Childrens Museum

A few highlights from our visit to the Shedd Aquarium and Chicago Children's Museum. We always love going to see the fishes and this aquarium is one of my favorites. So many great exhibits although the lighting isn't too great for pictures of the kids and don't want to post random pictures of fish....






























The Children's Museum was so great we went to visit it on 2 separate days. Sydney loved exploring each of the different rooms (gotta love how she coordinated the pillows that matched her polka dot pants--she is taking her love of matching to extremes!). She also loved watching the shows at Navy Pier...we sure do love this city! So kid friendly and lots to see and do...

millenium park-chicago

Lots of cool pictures from downtown Chicago--Millenium Park and view from Navy Pier

Lincoln Park Zoo and more

I sure do miss Chicago...i took the girls for a long walk through my old neighborhood in Lincoln Park while Jason enjoyed a tour of Wrigley Field and then went to the zoo. Even strolled the girls passed my first real apartment building where I lived when I first moved to Chicago. Brought back some wonderful memories...look forward to sharing all this with the girls as they get older and know they will love Chicago as much as I do. Of course I don't regret moving back home to Maryland--best decision I ever made cause my life is now filled with so much love and happiness : )

American Girls-Chicago!

Overall we had a great time in Chicago. We got to eat at Grand Lux Cafe, Giordano's pizza, Sprinkles cupcakes, Garrett's popcorn--yummmmmm. The weather sucked (too cold) and we had a very cranky toddler for some of the trip but we loved our hotel--the Peninsula (with a tv in the bathtub which Sydney enjoyed) and seeing some of the wonderful sites this city has to offer. Sydney embraced my love of the Chicago and would proclaim "I love this city" at random times.

We got to celebrate cousin Katelyn's birthday with lunch at American Girl store (check out Jason's special lunch!) and i am still quite horrified at the prices and services (hair braiding for $20, manicures/facials/ear piercing--all for dolls!!!). I don't even get my nails done that often and there was a long line for people waiting for these treatments for their DOLL. I could go on and on....but i must go through about a hundred more photos and wanted to get started with these...will post more soon.


















I tried to get some good photos of the city which i won't bore you with now but thought these pictures from the top of the John Hancock Observatory were adorable and couldn't resist this one of both girls napping during our shopping expedition down Michigan Avenue!

Hollywood Studios 5/2011

Princess Snow White (aka Sydney!)


Our last day we went back to the Magic Kingdom, saw a few more friends (Alice, dwarves), went on a few rides (snapped one of the girls on the teacups together) and said goodbye for now to Disney. But had to bring home a piece of the magic--and probably won't be able to get Sydney to take off this princess dress!
Somehow I managed to get through Hollywood Studios without taking a million pictures?!?! We all loved the Toy Story ride, Beauty & Beast, Disney Playhouse and Little Mermaid shows. Another great day!

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is just about one of our favorite places in the whole world. We have a ton of pictures from the safari ride but wanted to share a couple from our fun filled day. The Lion King show and Finding Nemo are fantastic and Everest is one of the best roller coasters ever. Jason loves Kali river and there are lots of good places to eat and visit with Disney friends like Lilo & Stitch, Mickey & Gang and Pooh Bear.