Chicago!

After our reunion, we headed to the Windy City! We rented an awesome condo in the Lakeview neighborhood, a few blocks from Wrigley Field.

First we went to Navy Pier, on Lake Michigan. This was my first sighting of a great lake. I was duly impressed. It's huge! It really is hard to believe it's a lake and not the ocean.

Here the boys check out some local pirates with Grandma and Paw Paw.
More sights from the pier.

In the background behind us is the Tall Ship Windy. They were flying the Jolly Roger, so that means it's a pirate ship!

Of course we had to climb up on the big anchor. You can only see the bottom of it in the picture. It was huge!

Inside one of the buildings was an amazing stained glass museum (wish I'd gotten some pictures, but I was too busy chasing the kids) and a Chicago Police Dept. museum. Here Tracy poses with his fellow boys in blue.

Carolyn preferred the bad guys, though. Go figure.

Then we set sail! The boys loved being pirates.

Noah preferred sitting up the top deck.

Jackson mostly stayed below...

though he did come see me, briefly.

Here you can see the Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan. Beautiful!

And here's the view of Navy Pier as we head back to port.

We also spent time walking around our neighborhood. It was beautiful, all lined with lovely houses and condos. A few blocks over was a great street lined with shops and restaurants. Brad and I got to walk over each evening on our own to browse and eat on the patios of some great cafes. We are already talking about going back someday. Brad wants to check out a Cubs game!