Trip To Chicago

In pictures, here is a recap of our whirlwind trip to Chicago:

On our way!

Picked up from the airport in a limo

View from hotel room

Exploring Michigan Ave (the Conrad was our hotel)

The kids loved walking around and seeing all the "really, really tall buildings!" everywhere

We returned to our hotel room after walking around just in time to find they were bringing complimentary milk and cookies! (Unfortunately we couldn't enjoy any right away because we were getting ready to meet the group for dinner!) I did ask if they happened to have anything gluten-free and they called back and said the chef would make some chocolate-covered strawberries for Kayla!

 
One of the sponsors of the contest - Real Kids Shades - took all the families out to dinner Thur night. We went to Rainforest Cafe (where the manager was great in talking to me about what Kayla could have and they would prepare it off to the side to reduce the risk of any contamination.)

On our way back to our room after dinner we encountered Santa!

On Friday we walked to the Navy Pier (but didn't stay outside to walk around because it was too windy!) But we did go inside to the Children's Museum - this is the view from one of the windows.

We were all dressed up from the photo shoot and had some time before the dinner and awards banquet, so I took some photos in the hotel lobby.

At the dinner:

The next morning we were able to meet up with some friends that I've known online (and we met in person in San Antonio for the NDSC Convention). Lisa and her kids Cori and Jamie!

Heading back to the airport:

 

The excitement of the whole weekend finally caught up with Kayla. 5 minutes after we were in the air she leaned over like this and passed out.