Chick-ago 2018

When my lady posse found cheap flights to Chicago, I wasn't sure I could swing it with the impending primary program. In the end, I decided the primary wouldn't utterly fail in my absence and booked my flights! We had been talking about going to stay with Erin for MONTHS and we finally were doing it. I had the best time and can't wait to go back. I sure love these ladies and am so grateful they are in my life. Also, Mark is pretty awesome for wrangling the kiddies while I was gone.

We ate our way through Chicago- deep dish from Giorgano's that was pretty amazing. Another one of those experiences where you ask, "What is the deal with deep dish?" and then you have it and TOTALLY understand the deal. We had so much caramel/cheese popcorn from Garrett's, more deep dish, Oberweis ice cream that instantly clogged my arteries but was so worth it, life changing donuts from a French Market, more donuts, crepes, more donuts, and fresh Pasta from Eataly. 

We were touristy and did a boat tour (got rained on but didn't even care), rode the bus, saw The Bean, Surgical Museum, hiked our way to the top floor of the Sears Tower, fancy grocery stores, urban Target, rode the EL, froze to death and were wishing we had another week!

We stayed up late, lost the lottery, ate way too much, laughed and rapped, and ultimately realized how we can't wait this long to ever girl trip again.  

First stop on the food train, Portillo's- the Italian Beef sandwich and cheese sauce were killer.

No trip is complete without matching jammies (Thanks, Char!)

Bob made his way to Chicago too

That city skyline!

Top of the Sears Tower

 My only requirement this whole trip (well second to eat all the foods) was to hit the one and only surgical museum in the country. The other ladies may have been less than thrilled but they happily tagged along and indulged my love of all things gallstone. It was pretty amazing to see how they did surgery primitively and to bask in the wonder known as anesthesia in the 21st century.

gallstones..

Napoleon's death mask

Me & my surrogate child Madi. 

 While we were on the bus tour I saw an Amorino and was instantly taken back to Paris! That gelato still calls to me and I knew that was also a MUST for this trip. Who cares that it was 38 degrees outside. It's always warm enough for gelato.

BOAT TOUR-wet

BOAT TOUR- dry

When you walk past old, amazing churches it is mandatory that you go in. Fortuitously, there was a wedding happening for Jen and Steve. We got to sit and watch for a minute and no one seemed to mind. Also, while we waited I watched a young man with a seemingly heavy heart bow, kneel and begin to pray fervently to his Heavenly Father. It was touching to watch.