Yesterday morning, at 4:45 our alarm clock went off. Jumping out of bed, we were all ready to walk out the door 6 minutes ahead of schedule. Where were we going? The Windy City. My grandmother decided to take Jessica, Melissa and I on a train ride up to Chicago and spend the day there. We had a blast, caught our train, made it there with no complications and had a wonderful day that we'll never forget. After a roller coaster taxi ride, we walked up and down the Magnificent Mile, discovered the park area, ate at an Italian restaurant, had ice cream and bought souvenirs. The day passed by much to quickly and we're all ready to do it again. :) Enjoy the pictures we snapped along the way!
The lovely morning view.
We asked another passenger to take a photo of us with our very humorous, kind and wonderful attendant in the snack car. The trip wouldn't have been the same without him!
Jess and I in the four story Gap.
The clouds reflected quite nicely in this building.
Me and my store... :)
"Point!"
In the church gardens.
In the sanctuary. *sigh* I love old churches.
Jessica couldn't believe they let Melissa test drive the Lamborghini...
...and then she did!
Country folk in the city.
The Wrigley Building.
Here we are taking self portraits in the Wrigley Building.
The bridge we couldn't find an entrance to.
Here we are taking self portraits under the bridge. As we walked away, all of the people who had passed us while doing this, were taking pictures themselves!
We were passing by the Fire Dept. and two fire fighters called us in to see their engine...sorry, truck. Those helmets are really heavy...
Our reflection in...
"The Bean."
Where's Waldo?
Anybody know what this is?
Heading back to our train. :( It was a lovely, full, and very memorable day! It's one that is full of stories and good laughs...Thanks Mimi, for the beautiful trip...we love you!!!
lol... ok Tiffany.. you got me on the Lamborghini pics.. :D
ReplyDeleteThats a Lotus isn't it? Sweet ride.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how early a person can get up to have some fun! Chicago is a great place to have some fun!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind test driving an Lamborghini! I actually have a friend who works at the 4-story Gap. She's going to Moody.
ReplyDeleteWow! That looks like one of the most enjoyable trips to the city I have seen! How did you fit everything in only one day?
ReplyDeleteTrains are the best way to travel. All the scenery of a car, without the work! Plus, you get to walk around....
The attendant is so cute! (As a guy, am I allowed to say that?) Well, regardless, he looks like a lot of fun. Who did you get to take the picture?
Nice store. You have good taste in doors. So, who is the "& Co."?
"My name is Doug, and I have just met you, and I love you..." That was such a great movie!
When we get a new church building, I want us to build one like THAT! Shouldn't be that much money, only a couple hundred million, and a decade or two to build. But we are called to think long term, right?
Nice car. Can I have a ride?
The Wrigley Building! Do they make gum there? Or is it made out of gum wrappers? Or something just as interesting?
I think you were too low where you were, just a gut feeling there...
You look pretty good in a helmet! They are a fine workout for the neck muscles.
Aaaaannnd, the reason for this "Bean" is????? Feel kind of bad for the guy who has to polish it.
Oh, oh, oh! I know! But, I won't tell, because I have used them, and it wouldn't be fair. Let's just say that they have them at the Bloomington airport.
**waves to Mimi** Hi Mimi! Are the trains underground? I guess that makes sense, for when it is snowing. No underground train stations out here that I know of....
Thanks for the post! Wish I could have been there....
Later,
BFH
wow! what a awesome day! Love all the pictures! how fun!
ReplyDeletedid you get to test drive too?
Awright! Who said you could sit in a CHICAGO ladder truck?!?!
ReplyDeleteThe City purchased 28 Model “A” Fords for their Battalion Chiefs. The roofs of the cars were a tar composition that could not be painted and were left black while the bottoms were painted red. This color scheme has prevailed till today. The intertwined CFD logo was adopted during this period. (from their web site).
I love living in the country, but you just can't beat a big, old city like Chicago for a fun filled day. I'm glad you were able to have such a good time.
If it isn't a hand dryer, then I have no clue.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dysonairblade.com/homepage.asp
ReplyDelete1. They let you drive a Lamborghini? I wouldn't even let you drive my mini-van. They obviously had no idea who they were talking to.
ReplyDelete2. I believed this post until I saw, near the top, the words "6 minutes ahead of schedule". That's when I realized that this was all a joke...
Hi Ben,
ReplyDeleteJessica, Melissa, (and yes, the one you think may be of a higher caliber) Tiffany just about killed me from the 40 miles of walking, but mostly the laughing (I am 64 1/2). If you are thinking of going further with this relationship, do NOT let her take out any insurance policies on you. :)
I had such fun, though, I will remember this the rest of my life!
You (y'all) are welcome in Texas anytime!
Mimi
Mimi,
ReplyDeleteYou are HILARIOUS!!!! =D
Thomas (Ben's little bro)
Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a marvelous time! :) I can't get over the pic of "you and your store!!" hehe... :D
Chicago is such a great city.
Many Blessings~ Jen
Tiff, Your Grandma's really, really cool. Can I adopt her? :-)
ReplyDeleteEmil,
ReplyDeletelol, I heard about your reaction from Grace! :) You are too funny!
Ben,
I have no idea...it was just cute and sitting there looking lonely. :)
Mrs. Ryken,
Yes!!! I'm already trying to plan another trip up there.
Joel,
I wouldn't mind, either! The 4 story Gap was amazing...
Ben,
It was a very fun trip and there is only one thing that would have made it better. ;) We didn't fit everything we wanted to in that day, which means we'll have to go back. :)
We asked another passenger who has a camera just like ours to take it. She was more than happy to oblige.
Thanks, I thought the door was nice too. :) Who is the "& Co"? Hmmm, let me think about that one. :)
Yes, I agree! That church was gorgeous! It was a Presbyterian church, too.
Next time we go, you can ride in it too.
I don't know what they do in there. Mimi said it was a famous building, so we took our picture there.
The reason for the "Bean" is to get people like you interested in it enough to go see it. :) It's weird, but very interesting.
The station is underground, but that's it. It is nice in the winter time...I know from experience. Wish you could've been here too...
Amanda,
We did have a wonderful trip. I thought about test driving too, but I decided red wasn't my color. :)
My Dear Mr. H.,
We were just walking by when we realized it was a fire house and the firemen called us in to see the place. We only sat it the truck to test it out and see how comfortable it was so we could convince you to transfer out here. :) I am sure that the experience will in NO way compare with sitting in your truck. Visiting YOUR firehouse is going to be one of the highlights of my life. :)
Yup, it's a hand dryer, and an odd one at that!
Jeremy,
You, sir, have no room to talk. After crashing your beloved mini-van and getting how many tickets, I don't think they'd even let you touch it. My slate is clean...
No, this should either tell you what makes us late, or what kinds of things get us motivated to leave early. :)
Mimi,
Thanks a MILLION!!! I love you!
Thomas,
She is very funny...I can't remember when I've laughed so much for so long! You should've come out to meet her. Then maybe Ben would have come too. :)
Jen,
We had a wonderful time and I'm so sad it's all over. :( But we will always have the memories and pictures. Yes, I love the store too! :)
Jeremy again,
My grandmother is more than cool! AND ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! :)
ooooh! touche to Jeremy. ROFL!
ReplyDeleteThat's actually a lotus, still luxury, but worth significantly less than the Lambo. I prefer the lotus almost, less straight-a-way fast more nimble around the corners
ReplyDeleteJes (love your blog!)
Mimi,
ReplyDeleteI second the opinion of all the others who have said you are hilarious! My opinion is that you gave those girls a run for their money. Though, I can tell you are quite serious in your advice, and I have duly noted your sage wisdom. Therefore, absolutely no insurance policies, especially if they include death by laughter. *grin*
Watch out what you offer, there is a lot of "y'all" in my family! We just might take you up on that invitation, next time we pass through the great state of Texas....
Tiff,
If you go back, you'll just have to take me, I have never been to the Windy City!
All my best,
BFH
Amanda,
ReplyDeletelol! :)
Jes,
Thanks for stopping by! I'm glad you enjoyed my blog. I popped in on yours and am going to have to take a deeper look...you have some cute ideas!
*laughing* Somebody else asked if it was a Lotus, and I just figured it was a type of Lamborghini, you know like a Toyota Camry, a Lotus Lamborghini. I've never heard of a Lotus before...I'm not really a car person. :)
Ben,
If I go back, of course you have to go!! I wouldn't leave you behind a second time. Now we just have to plan it...I've already looked into train tickets. :)
Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful trip! It seems you have a wonderful grandmother as well. I look forward to meeting her.
I ditto all Ben said about what you did in the "windy city". I'm breathless just thinking about it.
It's amazing to me that our family has been to Illinois so many times and still haven't been there. Well, other towns in Illinois hold better treasures - and I'm not talking about Santa Ana's appendages!
Glad you are having a grand time this week.
Many, Many Blessings, Mrs.H
Oh I forgot... I just love the Tiffany & Co. photo. Too cute!
ReplyDeleteMrs. H.,
ReplyDelete'Twas a lovely day, indeed. I hope you can meet her soon, she's a doll. :)
It is surprising that y'all haven't visited Chicago during the few times y'all were in IL, but I must say, I am glad y'all didn't find Chicago a more interesting place. :)
Love you!
I found Waldo!!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures and an amazingly well done post of our trip! I miss Mimi and Papa already. :(
Love you so much,
Jess
Jess,
ReplyDeletelol...yeah, so did I. :)
I miss them too... I can't believe how fast that week went by...before we know it, the New Year will be here, and if we work hard, they'll be back! :)
Love you too!!!
They are gone already?!!?!?!?? They will be missed, even by those in California.
ReplyDeleteWas Waldo really in there? I looked and looked, but no luck. There was a nondescript red blur, which could be him...
What do you have to work hard on to get them back, Tiff? Need help?
BFH
Yes, they had to leave this morning. :( We were very sad to see them go...2 1/2 years without seeing them was much too long, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteNope...the real Waldo wasn't there, but WE are. :) It's hard to see because it's so small, but in the real big one on the hard drive, you can see us. :)
I think if we send Papa some candy with nuts in it, or convince them the snow isn't all that bad, or promise them loads of fun, or fix the bathroom so we don't have a flood, maybe plan another train trip, I think they'll come back. :) You are more than welcome to join our ranks!! Want an email address? ;)
is that some sort of hand cleaning device or hand drier? it looks like something from star trek ; )
ReplyDeleteI love the pics you take ; ) they're soo funny! and neat. The dog/point one was too cute, your sister's looks were perfect : )
I like the one of you at 'your' store too =)