It’s a week before we
leave for vacation but we couldn’t resist a chance to see some friends who have
become more like family since we met 2 years ago in Wuhan, China where we were
both going to meet our daughters. They
sent us a link for the Illinois area picnic with only the following statement, “you
in?”. We quickly looked and at our
schedules and said, “Yes! Let’s do
this!!” Then we found out Cubs were in
town for the weekend too…so seriously a no-brainer J
This was our first
trip to Chicago with the girls. Due to
flight costs we decided we were going to make this a road trip. We left Thursday afternoon and pulled in late
to our hotel. It was fun to watch the
girls point out all the lights and tall, tall buildings. It’s so much fun watching the girls
experience new things.
Friday, we slept in a
little and then headed to Wrigleyville for the game. Matt is a huge Cubs fan and has been since
high school; therefore, we are all Cubs fans.
But Ava in particular is a big fan as well. It turned out to be such a great day (minus
the fact that the Cubs lost the game)! We did some shopping in Wrigleyville for
shirts, hats, and Cubs stuffed toys.
Then headed to the Cubbie Bear for appetizers and drinks and then to the
game! Our seats were behind 3rd
base, in the shade…perfect! The girls
did awesome; coloring and playing their LeapPads through the game. We left once to get ice cream and ran into
Cubbie Bear. So well worth the
trip. Otherwise the girls sang proudly
the 7th Inning Stretch and really did a great job so that we could
all enjoy the game. We finished the day
with dinner at the original Magianno’s Italian Restaurant. Yummy!!
On Saturday, we spent
the morning exploring the city and doing a little shopping on the Magnificent
Mile. The girls loved seeing the river,
the big boats, and all the sculptures everywhere. Around noon we headed to
Union Station to get on our train to Roselle for the Holt Picnic. We met our friends there and were surprised
to see another family we traveled with to China as well! It was so great to see everyone, catch up,
and see those beautiful babies again (even though they are no longer
babies). It’s crazy!! There’s such an immediate bond that is formed
on this journey of adoption with other families going on the same journey and
my heart just explodes seeing them all again!!
Especially seeing the kids doing so well, even though we all know that
the journey is not always easy…there’s just a relief that you can be real and
you don’t have to hide some of the struggles or more difficult times. These are my people who I can easily discuss
the hard times and celebrate the good times…they get it!! It was so fun to catch up and to meet other
Holt families; several who are just starting the journey.
After the picnic, we
rode the train back to the city and met up with our Chicago, Holt friends again
for some delicious Chicago deep dish pizza.
Yummy!! We then walked around Millennium
Park and visited some more. There’s
never enough time and we eventually had to say see ya later and head back to
the hotel. The girls crashed after a
long, beautiful day!
Sunday, we headed for
home but made a quick detour to see The Field of Dreams film sight. This is one of Matt’s favorite movies and it
was fun to see him smile from ear to ear at being there.
My heart is so full
with joy as we head home after this beautiful trip away with my loves!!
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