Chicago

Craig was scheduled to run the Chicago Marathon this year and even tho he tore, not pulled, his hamstring back in August he was determined to go through with it and take us to Chicago. I love Chicago. It is so clean and the water is almost turquoise.
We began our adventure at the Museum of Science and Industry, a place we only got to spend a little bit of time in the last time we were here and really wanted to come back to. When we bought our tickets I asked the young lady if there was a homeschool discount and she said she was glad I asked because we were free that day! Love free stuff!
This is an awesome place to explore. It's HUGE. I like it especially because there aren't many exhibits heavy on evolution or nature worship, unlike the Field Museum or the Planetarium. God has been teaching our family, and friends,too, so much lately about how to answer the world in regard to the lies the world tells. What I love so much about it all is how God just plain makes SENSE in how He created and set up the world. Go to answersingenesis.com for some really amazing resources and answers.
This is a WWII German submarine called U-505 that was captured by the US and brought to Chicago as a museum piece. The whole story is fascinating. We got to go on it hear the history. It's gi-normous~ 272 feet long. The museum built it's enclosure around it.

These exhibits were outside the sub. No photo's allowed inside.

Tucker is not too sure about Ellie's mess hall abilities.

Up periscope! A man carved an entire tiny circus out of wood. They have it revolving behind glass in a parade. Ellie loved it.

Tiny elephant with jewels and fringe.

In the farming section. Mooing around.

Cow kiss.

Ellie's favorite part: the baby chicks. There was an incubator split into two parts. One for hatching eggs and one for baby chicks. They were so fun to watch.

I don't know why I always take pictures of ice cream.....

Collecting Craig's race packet.

I FINALLY got to go to a Trader Joe's. There was one about 3 blocks from our hotel. Oh my goodness gracious, I so wish we had one in Prattville. The food all looked yummy, even these brussel sprouts! The prices are great, too.

Nifty pumpkins.

You're so welcome!!! On a double decker.

I get a glare.

This is Drew Preson's smolder. He uses it on me quite often. Stinker. Ellie and I planned a trip to take Laura, her American Girl Doll, to the American Girl Doll Store in Chicago. This is Laura's "before" picture.

This store is over-the-top amazing, not to mention ridiculously expensive. Each of the historical dolls have their own section with all their stuff and scenes of their lives. And that's downstairs!

Upstairs are the dolls that you can choose hair, eye color, skin type, freckles, etc. They have amazing wardrobes and accessories. There is a tea room, a hospital....

and a salon!

Here is the DOLL'S salon chair. We got Laura's hair done. For $20 you can get the doll's hair brushed out to new doll status, plus get a fancy hair-do. There was a place to get their EARS PIERCED, too. We opted out of that. My goodness.

Laura sitting patiently while Katie did her hair. Katie told me they go through an 8 hour training session to learn how to do hair.

The finishing touch. All finished!

The end of our cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory. I didn't get my camera out fast enough!

We got to see Craig twice in the race to cheer him on. He was hurting pretty bad but kept on going. It's a man thing, or an endorphine thing. I can't imagine keeping on going like that. I did it while in labor, but I got a baby out of it!!!!

He holds up 5 fingers when he gets his picture taken, for me and the kids. So sweet.

He's so cute.

At the Navy Pier. A famous place with over-priced activities, over-priced shops, and over-priced unhealthy food. But lots of fun to walk down and see the sights! View from the pier.

A bunny, in the middle of downtown Chicago!

Nighttime in Chicago. It's really pretty.

We had a great weekend!