Michigan Ave and Me

We just got back from Chicago and I am really tired. There was so much to do! We drove there on Friday night and mommy and I slept in back seat the whole way. Thank you daddy for driving through the loney dark of Western Illinois! He listened to his medical journals, so I really can't imagine how he stayed awake!

When arrived at the Hilton Suites in Chicago, Grandad, Boppy, Uncle Kurt, and Uncle Steve were all waiting for us in the lobby. After having such a long nap in the car, I was ready to smile, charm, and play with the family. But it was midnight, and mommy made us go to bed. We brought my "pack and play" crib, but it not verfy confortable to sleep in. So after a couple of tries, mommy and daddy let me climb in the comfy hotel bed and we all fell asleep together.

We met the rest of the family in the hotel coffee shop for traditional game day pancakes. There were lots of people wearing cardinal in the lobby, becuase the buses for the USC fans going to South Bend were parked outside. Daddy and Grandad and Uncles Kurt and Steve drove their own car to the game. USC beat Notre Dame 38 - 0! It was the first time that Grandad had seen his team win in person in South Bend, so he was really exicted. Daddy says that he'll take me to the game in a couple of years. I hope so- I've heard the Notre Dame campus is beautiful!

While the boys went to the game, mommy and Boppy and I had a "girls day out" on Michigan Avenue! I could really get used to this shopping thing! Boppy played with me while mommy got her hair cut and colored. She looks beautiful afterwards! And she kept her long hair so I can grab clumps as she nuzzles me (I love that!). They showed me stores like Bloomingdales, the Gap, and Water Tower place, but I favorite by far was Sephora. The colors and sounds and smells were absolutely amazing! I remember it from my first visit to Chicago, back in June (see right).

In the evening, we joined mommy's resident Soon-Min and her daughter Julia for dinner at the very chaotic and busy Cheesecake Factory. But everyone was very nice to us and Julia was fun to play with. I hope I can see her again sometime.

After such a long day (I was having so much fun I barely napped!) I crashed big time when we got back to the hotel. I didn't even notice daddy struggle in from the road at 9pm, returning victorious from Notre Dame.

In the morning, we went out for Dim Sum, another first for me. It looked good, but I had to settle for milk again. Someday I be able to taste all this great stuff that my parents eat right in front of me! After brunch, it was back home to Iowa. I finally got tired of all that driving and voiced my displeasure for most of the last 30 miles. But waiting for me at home was a wonderful surprise: Gran! She was here to host a party for her Safari company at our home. COOL!

Boppy, Mommy, Grandad: if you have any pictures from Chicago, send them to daddy so he can help me post them to the blog!