The Traveling Dowells: Chicago Edition

We spent a few days in the Windy City for our family vacation this year.  As much as I would have loved a return to the sunny beach, we thought it unwise to travel two/three days via minivan while 30+ weeks pregnant!

Family photo posing at Lake Michigan led by Madeline.

The girls loved big city life.  We rode a train, a bus, a trolley and a boat.  And they were thrilled.  I think they would have been happy just riding public transportation the whole trip.

On the ferris wheel at Navy Pier.

Audrey evangelized to the morning commuters with her somewhat loud version of "Jesus Loves Me".  Madeline exclaimed, "I'm on a train!" about twenty times the first day.  Her excitement was catching.  The commuters loved us.

At the bus stop.

Madeline wants to move to Chicago.  She told me she'd talk to her {imaginary} husband about moving there one day and tell him "I know this great place.  It's called Chicago."  I told her she could even move there herself when she was bigger.

We took it fairly slow...yet put plenty of miles on the feet and strollers.  With two kiddos and a pregnant mom, we knew we'd enjoy more at a slightly slower vacation pace.  Just one or two big stops a day with little side trips to parks and stuff.  Highlights for the girls were Shedd Aquarium, the Chicago Children's Museum, and Lincoln Park Zoo.

One night my cousin stopped by with my uncle who happened to be in town from Florida.  So glad we were able to see them -- it's been too long, since before Madeline was born.  Unfortunately, we got to talking and forgot to take pictures!

At the bean.  Our trip photographer Grandpa even made an appearance in this picture!  

Of course, we took in an afternoon game at Wrigley.  The girls were awesome -- Audrey slept the first five innings in my lap.  The game was fun and went to extra innings.  We finally headed home for dinner at the twelfth inning!  The Cubbies did finally win after the second seventh-inning-stretch during the fourteenth inning.

My snuggle buddy during the Cubs game.

Go Cubs!  It was a cool day in the shade at Wrigley!  I say that in a happy way....we saw the Cardinals at Busch a few years ago on a 90+ degree day.  I prefer shade and cool!

Side note: Madeline's in her room for some "quiet time" right now belting out "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

Learning to play Uno.

And if you're ever looking for a vacation house to rent in Chicago (especially if traveling with grandparents or a few families) -- we found an awesome one near Wrigley.  Great for kids -- just a few blocks to two different city parks, train/bus stops, shopping, restaurants and a pretty huge grocery store. Loved it.