Chicago VI

Following our time at the Oprah show, it was definitely time for lunch. We were all well past starving. We headed over to Chili's (our old-faithful restaurant). It was as yummy as could be. All along the way, we were talking about how we couldn't believe we got to experience Oprah and see all of those Olympians. On that note, I found a pic of the men's gymnastics team being silly.
Our plans after lunch were to go to all of the rest of the stores that we still wanted to visit. Josh wanted to go to the newly-opened Crocs store on State St. We left and began walking. We walked and walked and walked and eventually made it to the Crocs store. We found Keirah a cute pair of shoes and then headed back up towards our hotel. We stopped at Caribou Coffee since we had a coupon from our Oprah trip earlier in the day. We had some yummy drinks there. We also visited the mall on Michigan to pick up a few things. Aliyah enjoyed the Sanrio (Hello Kitty) store. The Lego store was fun as well.

We went back to our hotel and sat for a couple of minutes--it was more like we all visited the restroom, re-arranged all of the bags and went to claim our baggage from the bellman. They suggested a cab to Union Station. They whistled and there it was. It was a quick cab ride and a nice driver. We can say that we have taken every mode of public transportation in Chicago--train, water taxi, regular taxi, trolley, and bus. We had some time to wait in the train station. We saw everything from full-fledged Amish to some very hippy-earth loving folks.

It was our best trip ever--that's saying a lot. It magically beat out Florida. I think that was because it had everything that we like as a family all in one place. It had the beach and sand that looks like the ocean and plenty of things to do when you aren't swimming or chillin! There are many hours in a day and there was never a shortage of evening activities in Chicago. The hotel was wonderful and a super Hotwire deal. Some of the best things that we did were free--how is that possible?? We didn't pay a penny to have the Oprah experience. We had some great shopping experiences--when else do you get to shop by yourself at AG or Coach or the nice stores of Michigan?? The restaurant choices are endless and great!! You could eat at a different place for every meal every day for months and still not try all of the places Chicago has to offer. I will post a montage of pictures from the trip that I haven't posted before.
I thought this garden was gorgeous. Maybe if I have a garden like this--I will win next year's garden contest hands down! This is at Navy Pier.









The above pictues are a shot of Buckingham Fountains and the Chicago Theatre on State St.

The following pictures are Oprah's digs--it is almost right next to the Drake Hotel. She lives in the Gold Coast area--Chicago's $$ district. Also, you will see some of the shops along Oak Street (Chicago's version of LA's Rodeo Drive).

Well, that concludes my pictures and stories thus far from this trip to Chicago. I will be posting more pictures on Facebook so, if you are my friend on FB, check them out there. I have so many more that I just didn't have room to post here. Time for Shutterfly!