Favorites from our Trip to Chicago

Dear Hannah and Nathan, 

10 days before Christmas, we traveled to Illinois to visit Daddy's side of the family. It was a lot of fun because we got to see a bunch of people that we don't get to see including your cousins who now live in Florida. 

One of Daddy's favorite memories from the trip is playing hockey with you guys in grandma and grandpa's basement. 

One of my favorite memories was going to an event at a nature center and making cool crafts and learning about different nature-y things.

In the picture below, we learned to make a snow sled.

There was a bonfire set up for people to roast marshmallows and warm up.

This was the first time you've roasted marshmallows without our help.

We also went on a nature walk where the guide talked about tracking animals.

I think one of your favorite things to do is play pinball on grandpa's machine. You probably spent several hours down in the basement, clicking away.

Hannah's favorite memory would probably be visiting the Shedd aquarium. There were lots of cool things to see and you seemed like you were very intrigued.

Nathan got a chance to wear some of Daddy's old ice skates. This was the first time trying them on and you got to practice just walking around with them on.

This whole winter vacation, we visited a total of 5 museums geared at children. The Kohl's Children museum was probably my favorite one. There was plenty of age appropriate activities for you both.

We also spent a lot of time at the library. Besides an excellent selection of books there was also an awesome area for kids to play.

But Nathan's all time favorite memory was visiting the choo choo restaurant in Des Plains. We were lucky to be able to snag a table by the train tracks. Your grandpa came to this restaurant when he was a kid, so you can imagine how vintage this place is. They even still use a vintage cash register.

And right before we left for Chicago, we had a Chinese play-date for the kiddos and a pot-luck for the mommies. Most of the kiddos are sitting around and eating very nicely. Hannah pretty much tried to sneak a bite of food from everyone's plate.

After we got home from Chicago, we stayed for a day and a half and then drove up to Dallas to spend time with my side of the family. A post about that section of the trip will follow. 

It was pretty amazing to see Nathan being able to understand and appreciate a bit more of Christmas traditions.  And Hannah, having the luxury of staying under big brother's wings, has picked up on a lot of things. During this trip, Hannah has started to mimic others' actions and words. You are also very generous with "Hi" and "Bye" along with your all time favorite, high fives. 

While we were in Illinois, we also got a chance to get together with one of Daddy's old friends from college. They also have 2 kids, but both were boys. Nathan and their oldest son are about the same age and you two played so well together. Both of you guys took turns, played together and laughed and talked like little adults as you sat at the kids' table eating your pizza (which we had A LOT of on this trip). I just wish we lived a bit closer because I think you guys would make great best friends. 

Well, that's about it for now. Hannah has not been napping well since we've gotten back, which is why I'm so behind on posts. 

Until next time, 

Love, 

Mommy