The Lamb Fam

The Lamborns do CHICAGO...

with the Barneys.

{Hewitt. Brandon. Kerstin.}

Such a fantastic little get-a-way. Chicago is only about 350 miles from Rochester so the Barney's and us decided to spend a long weekend there.

I first have to add, Dave and Brandon went to Jr. High and High School together so they've known each other for a long time. Brandon also went to the U for Medical School and is here @ Mayo for his Radiation Oncology Residency. Match made in Heaven, right? We love the Barneys!

Dave & Tol @ the La Cross train station.

 We decided to take the AMTRAK train to Chicago instead of driving. It was a great little way to travel (if you're not in a hurry to get there). The seats were SUPER roomy and comfortable, compared to an airplane anyway. It was also cool to see parts of the country we'd never seen.

Here we are having lunch on the train and us at Chicago's Union Station upon our arrival.

Brandon had an unexpected something at work (BUMMER) the day after we were scheduled to leave so the Barneys ended up coming out the next day. The night we got there we went to Weber Grill. For those of you who know Dave, even remotely well, knows he is the GRILLING MASTER. Weber is a household name (in our household anyway) as that is the name Dave spends all his birthday and Christmas money on; we've got lot's of Weber grills, smokers and gadgets. So you can understand why Weber Grill was our first stop.

First FABULOUS meal of a weekend of FABULOUS food.

The next morning we decided that we didn't pack nearly warm enough. Dave bought this beanie and I laughed at him the whole trip. It looked funnier in person.

While Dave was in Walgreen's buying the hat, I stood outside this hotel with the crowd waiting for President Obama to emerge. He was in town for a campaign fund-raising something. He didn't end up coming out the front doors, of course, but this is where he stayed. 

I'm a total "star junkie." I don't care who it is or if I'm a fan, or not- I turn a little stalker-ish. Maybe I'll tell those stories at a later date.

After we ate our 2nd FABULOUS meal @ EATT, we headed to THE NAVY PIER and took the kids to 

THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM.

 They played 'FIREFIGHTER,'

 climbed through the nets, 

and were builders in the 'Skyline.'

Tol loved the 'Kid's Town.' He pretended to drive the bus FOREVER!

And Dave and I may or may not have had a drawing contest called "depicting Chicago." And we also may or may not have had an intense game of checkers. The Children's Museum isn't just for children :)

We were SO lucky to be at the same place at the same time as the EASTER BUNNY! Addi had to get in on that action. 

The Barneys got in that evening and the first thing we did was grab a Chicago-style deep dish pizza at Giordano's. DELISH!

After the kiddos were all snuggled and sleeping in their beds, it was time for the REAL party to begin! Brandon, Kerstin, Dave & I got our Canasta on. Love that game!

 View of Lake Michigan from our room.

OMG!! is all I have to say about this little piece of heaven you are looking at. We went to the Bongo Room the next morning for breakfast and it was the most AMAZING breakfast food I think I've EVER experienced. Seriously. What you are looking at is the breakfast Dave and I ordered. It's called something like Triple Chocolate Tower of French Toast. Basically, it's 3 fat slices of chocolate chip infused chocolate bread stuffed with maple mascarpone that is sitting in a banana creme brulee sauce and topped with chocolate shavings and fresh banana. There are no words to describe this type of eating euphoria.
Let's just say it's a good thing we walked a mile to the restaurant; it was nice to have already worked off 1/8 of a bite of this thing. But I have to admit the calories were totally worth it! Can't wait to get back to Chicago for this reason alone.

After breakfast we walked to Chicago's famous Shedd Aquarium where it was opening day of their "Jellies" exhibit. The line to get in the door was at least 2 hours long. Thankfully we had 2 strollers with us so we were able to enter through the 'accessible entrance' which had about a 20 minute line. There are perks to pushing your 4 year old in a stroller.

 The next day (until we had to head home) was spent at Navy Pier aboard the one and only SEADOG!
I bought these tickets on Chicago's GROUPON having no idea what it really was. It ended up being AWESOME & hilarious! You can click the link to go to the website if you want to read about what it is. I definitely recommend doing this if you're in the area. Pure butt-rock adrenaline funniness :)

Dave and Brandon's green-screen picture. Actually, this is them waiting to board the vessel.

Tol & Ad waiting to board.
 

This was definitely a highlight of the trip.

Chicago was a beautiful city with LOTS & LOTS of character. We thought the BEST thing about Chicago (from our short exposure) was the food. Every meal- down to the train station's Chinese food & popcorn- was SO SO YUMMY! We can't wait to go back and explore more of it :)
And it was a BLAST being with The Barneys. We are certainly blessed to have them as good friends.