Chicago...Day 2 (6-19-12)

On the agenda for today was Lincoln Park Zoo & The Chicago White Sox/Cubs game.  We loaded the van up and headed to get something to eat before heading to the zoo.  We ended up sitting in a traffic jam for almost three hours...to go a whole 26 miles.  The hubby kept us entertained...

The hubby acting silly while stuck in traffic

Traffic Jam....

...and the kids were REALLY well behaved!  We finally made it to the zoo around 2::00. 

Lincoln Park Zoo (link to post)

After leaving the zoo we headed to the ballpark to find a parking spot.  The ballpark was located on the "south" side of Chicago (which is the rougher part of town...from what I understand).  When we got to the ballpark the gates were still closed, but the kids had some money left so they were able to buy a few souvenirs (I forgot to take any pictures of them)...but here is what they walked away with.

Morgan-White Sox Key Chain

Spencer-White Sox T-shirt

Haylee- White Sox Shirt & White Sox baseball (for her brother)

Harley-Pink baseball

Gracie-White Sox stuffed animal & White Sox baseball (she bought for Spencer)

White Sox/Cubs game (link to post)

After the game we grabbed a box of White Castle's, let the kids change into their PJ's, switched seats in the vehicle, gassed up the van & headed toward KY.  The kids were asleep in no time.

KY State line :)

Chicago White Sox/Cubs Game

Meme with the kids @ US Cellular Field

Meme & the kids

Bobby, me & the kids

 Spencer picked the game he wanted to see...and he would pick a cross town rival (which was a lot more expensive, but he wanted to see both teams play)

Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs

The kids all got certificates for attending the ballgame with their names & the dates since it was their first White Sox game!

The kids first look inside the stadium

View from behind home plate

The kiddo's

The kids in our seats :)

 We got there in time to watch batting practice.

Morgan got a ball from batting practice

Morgan got 2 balls & gave Haylee one

Gracie didn't like the sun...she was hiding behind the bleachers

Lincoln Park Zoo

Heading to the Zoo

Meme & all the kids

Bobby, me & all the kids

Tiger

 The monkey exhibit...there were LOTS of monkeys/apes.

The kids acting like monkeys

The kids

The kids with the hippo

A lot of the animals were inside because it was in the upper 90's.  Some of the exhibits allowed you to go inside to view...while other's didn't.  We missed the polar bear; which is my favorite animal.  The last two times I have been to the zoo I haven't gotten to see the polar bears.  :(

Chicago...Day 1 (6-18-12)

We decided to drive all night so the kids would sleep most of the way.  We left the house around 11 pm and stopped to fill up with gas.  My hubby drove the whole way while everyone else napped.  We arrived in Chicago around six am.  

Welcome to Illinois 

Lake Michigan

Our next goal was to find a motel room.  We drove, called and drove and called more motels. The kids wanted a swimming pool and we wanted something affordable.  Everything downtown was way to expensive so we tried to find something on the outskirts, all while staying out of the south side.  We finally got frustrated and decided to go back into Indiana.  On the way back we stopped by The American Girl Place and Lego Store.  (Click to see about each place).

We finally found a motel in Indiana with a pool.  We ate supper at Golden Corral (one of our favorite places).  Then we headed to the room to let the kids swim.

Gracie stayed on the steps

Haylee & Morgan

My tired hubby

Meme with all the kids in the hot tub

Bobby playing with the kids

After swimming everyone got showers & in the bed.  It had been a long day for everyone, but especially my hubby.  He was a GREAT sport.  He had been awake almost 40 hours, but he made every step we made today & never complained one time.  I <3 him!!!