Chicago!

Brian had a business conference in Chicago... and since I hadn't been there in a million years... Ivy and I tagged along!

I had know idea how beautiful the city was! Made especially beautiful by the clear skies and mild November temperatures!

As always, Ivy enjoys kicking back in her hotel room at the end of the day!

We planned a trip to the Museum of Science and Industry for Sunday. Our poor child was teething though, and lost patience with being carried around in our arms for the tour of the "Green House"-- so we had to abandon that.

See this maneuver.... squirming to get out of Daddy's arms... that was the way it went!

Ivy did enjoy playing in the kid's area! Lots of things for little kids to play with and learn about science! I could see her really enjoying it in a couple of years!

By far, her favorite part of the museum (and mine...) was the baby chicks! They had an incubator and the chicks were hatching while we watched!

Ivy and this chick were staring each other down!

The weather was so delightful, that we took an open top architectural boat tour on the River! It was perfectly clear and about 68 degrees in the middle of November. I'm beginning to think that the bad weather in Chicago is a myth!

Gorgeous buildings!

Ivy was a great sport on a 2 hour boat ride!

Later, Ivy and I explored some on our own while Brian went to his conference.

The Navy Pier was pretty cool! I bet that place is hoppin' in the summer!

The next day, Ivy and I headed out early with a picnic lunch and walked through Millenium park and through many blocks of beautiful city streets. Had to check out the former Marshall Fields... now a gigantic Macy's.

We went to the mall and got ready to meet Nicole and Mariko Sumida, Japan adoption friends that we met through Facebook!

Mariko and Ivy!

Our last day in Chicago... all dressed up for our flight to Kentucky to see Papaw and Ninny!