Almost Over

It's Friday afternoon and we are officially on our way home. We left Chicago at around 3:30, and are hoping to hightail it home as quickly as we can with minimal stopping. Chicago was fun; we'd love to go back, especially now that Brad found that incredible hotel deal through priceline.com (he forgot to mention the website in his post). Here are some photos of our fancy-schmancy hotel room and lobby. The hotel was built in 1871, and it's just gorgeous inside.

Last night we went to the Art Institute of Chicago, which offers free admittance after 5:00 on Thursdays and Fridays. They have some beautiful, famous artwork there (we were thrilled to see American Gothic, among others). There was a really neat hands-on gallery plus a beautiful display of miniature rooms, both of which the kids enjoyed very much.

Today I got up early to use the fabulous fitness/spa at our hotel. Well, when I got there I was informed that there was a charge (more than I wanted to pay) for using the fabulous fitness/spa. Ok, forget that. I ran the halls, jogged up and down the stairwells, and did crunches in our room instead. A budget workout.

After breakfast and Starbucks, we went to the Sears Tower. Brad and I had gone to the top when we were in Chicago three years ago and we just didn't have time to do it today. But we did want the kids to see it. Here they are, standing next to the tallest building in North America (that's the building behind the trees!).



We walked down to Navy Pier so the kids could see the lake and all of the sailboats. The Blue Angels were putting on an air show later today, so the pier was extra crowded. We made it halfway down, then turned around. On our way back, we met up with Bob Newhart. Here are Brad and the kids telling him their woes.



Our trip is almost over. We are on our way home.