Chicago

 Our first annual reunion took place in Chicago. It was the the first time all 4 of us had been together in almost a year and it was so great to spend time with everyone again and catch up. Chicago's weather did not treat us very nicely, but we had a great time despite it.

We all flew in late Wednesday night and took the train to Britni's apartment. 

Britni's street

On a side note, Aldo couldn't believe most people in the city don't drive...haha. I loved the trains/buses/taxis. If only LA had a better public transportion system!  Anyways, Thursday morning we headed out in the wind/cold to check out the Field museum (after a quick Dunkin Donuts stop of course). The Field museum was pretty neat (it's where Sue is, the largest and most complete dinosaur).

Sue!

dinosaur footprint

Brittany high fiving the raptor...

building some pyramids...

haha

 The bus ride also gave me a quick view of downtown and the lake shore. That afternoon consisted of Friends DVDs, tacos and margaritas :)

Friends dvds, real friends, and cocktails. yes please!

waiting for the bus....

 Friday we headed to Portillo's for Chicago hotdogs (yum) ........

Portillo's!

walked aroung Michigan Ave some and did some quick shopping....

walking through Michigan Ave (aka Miracle Mile) on our way to the boat tour

and then took an architectural boat tour of the river through Chicago. It was actually a really good tour (maybe the free drink helped...) and was a great way to see the city

Sears tower is the black building

 We then headed to Lou Malnati's for deep dish pizza (yum again!). Saturday we went and toured a local brewery called 312 and had a beer tasting. I had done wine tastings but never beer tastings before. It was a great way to try out the varieties and know what I like a little more. 

 We then headed to an amazing Italian tapas bar for dinner. We got all dressed up, ate late at 9, it was super popular and trendy, and took a cab home...let's just say I was loving feeling all city-like!

at Quartinos

Sunday was a Cubs game.  The weather decided to rain/storm, so there was a 2 hr rain delay. But at least there was a bar across the street! It was my first MLB game, and it was tons of fun. And...they won!

rain rain rain...

Wrigley field!

 That night we walked around Navy Pier a bit then headed home.

Monday the sun came out and it was a nice and hot 90 degrees. We  walked around the Art Institute, 

Chicago Art Institute

checked out the Bean downtown (finally! lol).....

hen it was time to pack up and head to the airport. It was the first time the weather was nice enough to really see the lake and for people to be on the beach, and it was gorgeous. It was the most crowded beach I had seen though, but made me really really wish we had time to go check out the lake area more.  The train we were on apparently didnt have AC and we were all dripping in sweat by the time we got to the airport. groooooosssss.

All around it was a great trip with great people and great times (did I mention it was a great trip??). Can't wait for next year...Long Beach!!