Day 7 of vacation: September 9th in Chicago!

Our 2nd day in Chicago was very eventful!
We began the day at Navy Pier. It was cloudy in the morning so we did not realize that the trio needed sunblock. Reese has a little red nose by the end of the day...luckily we kept Sloane covered or she would have been red as well.

Here we are on Navy Pier. One of our attempts to get a family photo. :)

The Ferris wheel on Navy Pier...

Sloane, Brooks and Reese...

The trio hanging out...

While we had the trio in their strollers, we were able to get a shot together!

This is the Chicago Anchor on Navy Pier. Amazingly, the trio loved playing on the anchor....we were here for awhile!

I love this picture of Brooks....the flags in the background....

This is Michigan Avenue. We were not able to walk along the water because there were not any elevators. So we decided to look from above instead of carrying strollers and children up and down several steps!

After a morning on Navy Pier, we decided it was time for some Chicago pizza! My pizza was awesome! The only negative was that it took 35 minutes to cook! Not good when you have 3 two year olds! Well, we made it and everyone enjoyed their pizza!

The trio outside of the pizza place. They were singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star..."

Several friends have told me about Garrett Popcorn so I decided to try it out! "The Mix" was awesome (cheese and caramel together) and I am not officially addicted to it! Thanks goodness they have a website!

As we were walking along, we noticed a crowd outside one of the T.V. news stations. They were broadcasting live so we watched for a moment. Next thing we knew, the camera was focused on our three children. Nothing like 5 seconds of fame while you are on vacation! This is the local weather man for the station:

Another shot of the city......I could not get enough...the energy....the beautiful architecture!

There was a "mini" mall along one of the streets where we were walking so we went in to check it out. We found a Lego store! So fun! The trio was very entertained....buidling...throwing Lego pieces....etc! We were suckered in to buying some gifts...even though we have a Lego Store in Dallas! Oh well. :)

For dinner that night, we returned to Navy Pier. After dinner, we let the trio run around before we took the walk back to our hotel. Here are some shots:

Finally, back at the hotel!

The next morning, I awoke to find Brooks in bed with Daddy....so cute!

We had an amazing time in Chicago! I wish we could have stayed another day....maybe next time!

Day 6 of Vacation: Tuesday, September 8 in Chicago!

After our visit in Steve's hometown, we drove into the city of Chicago to spend 2 days with Brooks, Reese and Sloane. The city was amazing...so much to do and see.

The day we arrived into the city, Oprah was filming her season premiere show and several streets were blocked off. We did hear (could not see because it was so crowded) The Black Eyed Peas!

We spent day 1 visiting the Shedd Aquarium and later at the Lincoln Park Zoo! A busy day but the Trio were troopers!
Here is a view of the city from our hotel room! Isn't it nice? We were on the 26th floor!!

The Trio LOVED the dolphins at the aquarium! They laughed and giggled every time they swam near the window...so cute!

Here we are looking at the large fish tank at the entrance to the aquarium...

The Trio also loved the penguins!

Heading into the aquarium...

Eating lunch at the aquarium.... If I lived in Chicago I would eat lunch here everyday! The view was beautiful!

A family photo outside of the aquarium...not sure what Brooks was doing to Steve's ear...

A little nap during the drive from the aquarium to the zoo!!

The Zoo! I think we are a little cranky!

Monkeys!

This little guy decided to hang from his rope and then proceed to "pee pee" on the window...nice! The Trio thought it was funny...

I have never been this close to a giraffe!

Alligator!

We also saw lions, tigers, polar bears, zebras, and gorillas. It was hot that day at the zoo so many animals were inside.

After the zoo, we went back to the hotel.
Here is the Trio playing in the window seat of our room....fun! They were each allowed to chose one stuffed animal from the zoo...as you can see, Sloane LOVED her giraffe and Reese LOVED her alligator!

Days 4 -5 of vacation: Sept. 6 & 7 Labor Day Weekend

After Steve's reunion, we stayed in Kankakee, Illinois with family friends. They live right on the Kankakee River...so fun!

Here are Brooks, Reese and Sloane swinging all together! Eating pizza in the driveway after a long day of running, swinging, bubbles and sidewalk chalk! They needed a good bath that night...

Sloane with Daddy earlier that day....don't they look alike?

Reese...

Brooks riding on a car...

Drinking a Bloody Mary to start the day off right!

The day before, we took Brooks, Reese and Sloane to a farm with miniature horses, as well as chickens, ducks and goats. Aren't they stylin' in their shades?

Horses!

Horses LOVE carrots!

After the horses, we returned for a boat ride along the Kankakee River.

Here's Brooks helping Papa Ron drive the boat!

Our family...

Brooks...with Sloane in the background.

Us...

Reese, Sloane and Brooks trying to get their balance while the boat was moving...

Days 1- 3 of vacation: Sept. 3 - 5

Steve's 20 year high school reunion was the weekend of Labor Day. We decided to make this our family vacation and drove to Illinois with Brooks, Reese and Sloane.

Here we are on our way to the reunion! We stayed with some family friends of Steve's who graciously allowed us to drive their corvette to the event! :)
Steve thought he was so cool...he he he... These are the baby sitters while we went to the reunion. One for each child...thank goodness!

I saw this sign for Effingham, Illinois and had to get a picture....are you "effing" kidding me?

Steve's Fraternity house at The Univ. of Illinois.

Brooks, Sloane and Reese enjoying the rocking chairs outside of Cracker Barrel in Illinois. Our stop for dinner on day 1.

This is what a hotel room looks like with 3 pack n plays. Notice Reese still sleeping in the bottom corner...

Hickey Trio flips!

OK, so I am WAY behind on posts and we just returned from our family vacation road trip to the Chicago area. Just before we left, Brooks, Reese and Sloane were showing their gymnastics...or maybe yoga skills!
They were telling me "Mommy, I am upside down!" I love this! I will work on the vacation pictures and posts soon. We were gone for 10 days so I may need to write several posts....stayed tuned!