The Windy City

While Rick and Janet were in town we ventured out into the Windy City a bit. 

 
Apparently there are themed McDonalds. This one is Rock & Roll and is a museum/fast food hybrid.

Jane, of course, stealing hats.

We went on a really neat tour of the city all about the gangster history. We loved it! It was fun to hear all of the stories about Al Capone and friends/enemies. Although funny enough we decided they made an awesome tour about nothing. They toured us around Chicago to show us famous gangster "sites". I say "sites" because hardly anything was left anymore. So we saw new buildings where famous things happened in buildings that were torn down. It turns out Chicago tried very hard to cover up it's gangster past and so they tore down most of the sites of gangster things. I think the only real evidence we saw was a bullet stuck in the wall of a church.

The midwest is covered in water towers. A hundred years ago the water towers were much prettier to look at (see below). Now they look like UFO's.
 
 We wandered Navy Pier one day and spent most of our time chasing Jane. Like normal.



















But it was a perfect day and we enjoyed it.


RANDOM
We found a lamb hat for Penny on Navy Pier. So cute!


We wanted to try some famous Chicago Dogs so we checked out Superdawg, it was great! The figures on top were terrifying, though. Close up below.

 
Jane was unimpressed. Thank goodness it was a drive-in. We just ate in the car so she could sleep.

We also checked out a new custard place near Libertyville. I can't remember the name, but it sure was delicious! Also I have spent too much of my life with watery eyes from squinting at cameras. Now I just shut my eyes. Time is too precious to have your eyes hurt. Yemers knows what I'm talking about.

Scott and his buddy, Clark.

Penny's Blessing Day

Penny is one loved little girl. She had quite the turn out for her blessing.
Scott gave a beautiful blessing and I cried. I never cry over sentimental stuff, this was a big deal. Then when I realized I didn't bring anything to record it and have a terrible memory I cried again. And again. Because it was awesome and I couldn't tell you what it said. (Sorry, Penny. Don't worry, angels wrote it down in heaven, so in 100 years we can read it together.)

Here is everyone who came out just for her blessing:

Mom & Gerry

Jane and Penny have a surprising number of grandmas, they love them all. Here are the grandmas Penny has met so far:

My girls have NINE grandmas. Awesome, right?

Our little family:

My favorite person in the whole world:

Penny and her grandpas:



Penny's first photobomb.

Penny was in her pajamas because she had spit up all over her gorgeous dress... typical Penny. She does this a zillion times a day. We have decided it has less to do with acid reflux and more to do with her getting bored of her outfit and wanting something new. We think she's a fashionista.

Jane was happy that no one was monitoring her excessive soda consumption. Also, please know this is Sprecher Root Beer. Not beer.




Penny is introduced to the elixir of life.

(not really, though. don't worry)

Jane doesn't quite understand why we let her wear sunglasses as much as she wants but when she runs off with reading glasses we panic.

Rick wins over all of the grandkids with donuts. Jane was sold.

Jane was showered with gifts. I'm pretty sure she barely noticed a baby was born because her number of toys doubled. This is Jane with her new princess book from Jenna that has launched a full-on obsession with princesses.


Jane has always had an odd fascination with oatmeal. As long as she has been able to pull herself up she has been into the oatmeal. During the blessing weekend she was able to actually get the whole container out of the kitchen without us noticing. She brought it to her favorite hiding spot (In dad's office with his clothes) and dumped out the whole box. Now Jane's dreams have come true and after we put the oats back we labelled it, "Jane's Play Oats -- DO NOT EAT". Now she plays with oats to her hearts content.

We went out to the beach. If my mom asks... it's an ocean ;) [she uses the great lakes to get her ocean fix. We poor Washington girls are out of place in the midwest].





 
Wisconsin has the best wildflowers. They are everywhere.

We also went to the Public Market, where Jane found her new bff.