Spring Break in Chicago

We had a fantastic trip to Chicago this past week! We arrived in the city on Wednesday. That evening we hit the Magnificent Mile where Gabriella and Adriana visited the American Girl store for the first time. What an experience!

Gabriella showing her excitement as we wait for her doll, Chrissa (AG of the Year, 2009), to get her hair styled at the salon.

Chrissa now has beautiful pigtails!

Adriana just loves Chicago!

Gabby was able to pick out one outfit at the America Girl store and she immediatley fell in love with this ballerina outfit. After her bath, she asked to wear it and she danced around our hotel room. Below is a short series of photos displaying her dance moves!

Adriana enjoyed Gabby's performance!

On Thursday, we visited the Shedd Aquarium. Gabby LOVED it! She didn't want to leave despite how exhausted she was after missing her afternoon nap.

Gabby thought this enormous fish was so cool. She kept squeeling and laughing each time it swam by.

Mommy and Adriana.

Checking out the dolphins and the beluga whales.

The awesome water table.

Thursday evening we headed out to the suburbs to visit with David's family members. Many of them live in the area. We spent the weekend catching up with Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins in the Hardy and Mueller families.

Great-Grandma Hardy giving Adriana a bottle.

On Friday, we spent the day with Great-Grandma and Grandpa Mueller. The fitness center at their residence has a swimming pool so Gabby had an opportunity to swim with Daddy and Great Grandma Mueller in the afternoon. They all had a really good time.

We stayed with David's Uncle Kurt and Aunt Geriann and their three daughters over the weekend. The girls had a blast. This is a picture from their tea party. They each changed into a special dress and of course Gabby wanted to wear her new AG one!

This is a picture of the girls before bed. It was Gabby's first slumber party - what fun!

On Saturday, we visited David's Aunt Jenny and Uncle Bill and their three children. We attended Elmhurst's St. Patrick's Day parade. It was a lot of fun despite the wet and chilly weather.

Adriana catching a gimpse of the parade.

Daddy and Gabby watching the marching band.

After the parade, we went back to their home and Gabriella and Adriana had a chance to spend time with their cousins and Aunt and Uncle.

Later Saturday evening, we visited with the Hardy family again. All of the cousins enjoyed bonding with the girls.

Some of the cousins tried to help me put Adriana down for a nap, but we were unsucessful. Adriana found socializing with family much more fun.

***This is a special shout out to Sarah who faithfully follows our blog! You are in four more pictures!***

On Sunday, we headed north to Kenosha, Wisconsin to visit the Jelly Belly store. We took a short tour of the facility and it was really interesting and fun for the kids.

We each received a free sample of Jelly Belly candy, but we of course had to buy some in the candy store to take home with us.

Playing with cousins our last night in Chicago.

We had a great time and thank all of our family for making our trip so fun and special!