Chicago Part 1

Our good friends Nefilinda and Fernando decided to just drop by and visit us. It took them about 16 hours to drive to drop by so we decided we better make it worth their while and went to explore the grand city of Chicago! We were being extra adventurous and took the train to the  big city which did end up being a lot more relaxing for everyone than driving. Alexander got so excited to see the train. We had looked at plenty of trains in books and I had even taught him the sign for it, which he showed with great excitement when we boarded the train. It was a 5.5 hour trip up there, much of which was spent going up and down the aisles, waving at people.

This is Chicago's Union Station which I thought was beautiful. It was the craziest and busiest train station I had ever seen outside of Europe.

Outside of Union Station

Across the street from Union station, the famous Sears Tower (now Willis Tower). It is the tallest building in the Western hemisphere.

After dropping off our bags at the hotel we headed to the Contemporary art museum. I always love these museums because you never know what you are going to see. Some good, some weird, but also some that really get you to think.

My favorite was this exhibit where the artist used barrels of water in a dark room, to show reflections of what was happening in some villages in Africa. You could not see the pictures because they were hanging above the barrels pointing down. You had to move around and squat down to capture different parts of the images. Very creative!

This exhibit was called Yours and Ours.

Later that evening, the museum hosted a free jazz concert on the terrace. We could sit anywhere we wanted to in their sculpture garden and listen and relax. There was a huge turnout of young families with kids just soaking in the culture and the city at sunset. This is why I love big cities!

Nefilinda and I posing during the concert

Many of the nicer streets and boulevards were beautifully landscaped.

This was our dinner that first night: the famous Chicago deep dish pizza. One slice would do you, but that one slice was heaven!

Day 2: We enjoyed another free activity in Chicago: The Lincoln Park Zoo. Alexander loved looking at all the animals. His favorites were the monkeys and gorrillas because his favorite book right now is A day in the Jungle which showcases these primates. Dad also was enjoying the monkeys.

Gardens at the Zoo.

Waiting for our bus, I thought everyone had the look of, " We have been there, done that. 

We are experts at this now."

Alexander's first Merry Go Round ride. He picked the Cheetah all by himself.

Loving it!

On the way back to the hotel after the zoo. Fun but exhausting morning.

Part 2 to come....

Moving in Week

Well it has been quite hectic since I last wrote. We have been staying at Mick's sister's place in their basement since we got here May 15th.  A month later we have finally moved into our own place. We were supposed to be moved in by the beginning of June into a different place but the previous tenant decided he didn't want to move after all and I found this out 2 days before we moved up here! I didn't know you could do that. In College Station that would  be unheard of. But they are a little slower paced here and less formal. It actually worked out better because we are in town closer to everything such as the library, pool, park, and family. It isn't the biggest place but it suits our needs for the time. It does have a huge yard though which is what sold it for me, AND IT IS NOT AN APARTMENT! (Pictures coming soon). I feel I have paid my dues with apartments and are through with them if I can help it. It just feels good to be in our own place and it is fun to arrange everything. I love change:) (To a certain degree of course)

It took me long enough!

Well I have finally started blogging again after almost a year hiatus. I have plenty of excuses though... Which one would you like? Not having access to internet other than library and then have internet slower then dialup or just the classic " I never had time ". Now that internet is greatly up to speed and hopefully time is getting better, I really want to start bloggin more regularly especially since we have just transplanted to a whole new world called.... ILLINOIS (pronounced il-in-oy not il-in-oyss (Mick would want me to put that in))

So yes we have left the great state of Texas and made the great move up north looking for opportunity. After all the packing, getting everything together, lo

ading, and actually making it here 2 days and 18 hours of driving later, I have new respect for pioneers. It would have been a cinch really, but a hyper 1 year old always throws a twist. I was worried because many a time we have gone ten minutes to the grocery store and he is already whining to get out of his car seat. So driving for longer than that scares me at times. Suprisingly, he did better than he ever has! I don't even try 

to understand, I just accept it as a blessing:)

We got to southern Illinois about a month ago and have been in transition waiting to move into a house. (Sad to say it is just a rental, but hey it is steps up from being in an apartment) Hopefully we will be able to move into our house this next week and really settle in. In the meantime we have kept ourselves busy. All 5 of Mick's

 brothers and sisters live in the small town here of about 9,000 which makes it alot of fun. And Grandma is only 2 hours away instead of 16! Here is some of what we have been up to:

            

Coloring with cousin Laken (whose house we have inhabited for the past month)

Playing at the local "Tot Lot" (Dad is having too much fun)

Who was this slide built for??

      

Hiking at Garden of the Gods

Attending Aunt Gatha's crazy Roller Derby Bout

It has been busy, I do miss everyone back in Texas, but I do not miss the heat. I will do my best to keep up with this so I can stay in touch better with everyone. Wish me luck!