Chicago

It's really hard to think when you're this full of really good food. 

Certainly we didn't JUST eat in Chicago, but we did a fair amount of that. In between meals we managed to see a decent slice of the city and catch up with friends. So Chicago was basically a win all around. 

We drove straight to a friend's house from St. Louis, as we had plans to go to the beach together. I had never actually been in Lake Michigan before. We lucked out and had a beautiful afternoon; not too hot or humid, but still sunny. The water was a good temp. We all had a good time. 

Friends in awesome hats! 

Buried in the sand. 

Swimming in Lake Michigan! Not even salty. 

After a couple hours on the beach, we head back to our Airb&b in Bridgeport to get checked in and regroup, and then went around the corner and met up with our friends again for dinner at Antique Taco. It was delicious. The potato tacos were especially a treat. 

Awaiting tacos. We ate them too fast to get a picture. 

The next day was our Chicago-tourist day. I was hoping to go to Au Cheval for lunch, so we figured we'd get there early and there wouldn't be much of a wait (I mean, lunch at 11am on Monday?). Wrong! 1.5 hours. No burger is that good. Thankfully the sister restaurant to The Girl and the Goat, Little Goat Diner, was about 1000 feet down the road. We got right in there and all ate our faces off. Chicago foodie experience complete! 

The burger wasn't that impressive, but the fries were amazing. 

Lea's shrimp and grits. 

Amazing corned beef hash and eggs. I made a good choice. 

The kids had been talking about taking pete to Skydeck since we last went. By the time we got there the line was _long_, but we decided to do it anyway. We finally made it to the top, where we took in views of the city. Pete even stepped onto the glass ledge (although didn't stay there long enough for me to get a picture). 

View of Lake Michigan 

Chicago

On the ledge 

Back down again and over to the Art Institute. Last time we were in Chicago we barely saw any of this museum, and I definitely wanted to see more. It did not disappoint. 

Jax loves arms & armor

Modern art

Chagall

Dali

By the end, the kids (and pete) were fried. They took in "the bean" by walking past it. 

Bean, in passing. 

Finally, the kids wanted to repeat Rainbow Cone. Timing to be there with our friends worked out such that it made sense to go before dinner, not after. So we head over to the south side of Chicago and had this famous treat. I think it was as yummy as they remembered it. 

Hey hey, the gang's all here. 

BMC in Chicago 

A little late night pierogies at home rounded out our day. We packed a lot in, but had a good time & saw a lot of the city. Now we're in Ann Arbor, with only two stops left before home! 

Look at what Chicago does to my children.