Family Visit!!

We had such a fun time while my family was in town... we always love showing family and friends around Chicago! Their trip just went by way too fast and now I miss them so much! This visit was a bit more low key... my brother ended up getting sick and the weather was pretty cold! We did some sight-seeing, a good bit of driving/seeing, and a whole lot of hanging out at home ;) loved every minute!!!

My parents arrived Friday morning... my brother and I drove to the airport to pick them up {Z had to work a few hours that morning}. It snowed most of the day, but thankfully that didn't delay their flight or anything! After they arrived, we made a quick trip to the grocery store, hit up REI {an outdoor retail store}, and made a quick stop in Francesca's {a cute little boutique}. We also drove around Lincoln Park and stopped for some pictures since there was still some snow on the ground!

We were all pretty tired that night, {since Z drove 12 hours Thursday and their flight left at 6 am Friday} so we decided to eat at home. I made chicken tortilla soup, yummy! We also cozied up and watched a movie... so fun!

Saturday we decided to bundle up and do some sight-seeing. First we took a train to the financial district. Z just working at the Chicago Board of Trade, so we wanted to show them where his new office is! Plus, you have to ride the El when you're in Chicago!

 Then we walked over to State Street and did a little shopping... Garret Popcorn and City Target to be exact ;) Z's sister had never been to the Bean, so we walked over to Millenium Park {after we grabbed a Starbucks to warm up!!} It was fun because there is an adorable ice skating rink right there, so we enjoyed watching the skaters!!

Can you tell it was cold?! We hopped on a bus {again, any chance to warm up!} and headed to Lincoln Park Zoo! This might have been my favorite part of their trip!! The zoo is free, and they had Christmas lights everywhere... so fun!

For dinner that night, we went to Lou Malnati's. This is one of our favorites! Delicious pizza and such a cute Chicago atmosphere!!

That was enough for one day! We headed back to the apartment to thaw out and watch a movie ;)

We had planned to go to church Sunday morning followed by brunch at Yolk... but my brother woke up sick :/ so I ended up taking my parents to church and Z took my brother to the doctor... boo! We also decided to wait on Yolk and instead just picked up some food at Portillos. Sunday ended up being a lazy day, full of football, movies, and homemade Chex mix!! ;) {it was so yummy, Mom!!}

Thankfully my brother was feeling a little better by Monday, so we headed to Yolk for a New Year's Eve brunch!

We really wanted to go to the Shedd Aquarium {since it was indoors and all!}, but the wait time just to buy tickets was 45 minutes... outside... no thanks! We walked around Soldier Field instead and then headed to Navy Pier! We rode the ferris wheel {one of my favorites!} and checked out the WinterWonderland {which was super cute and a dream come true for all kids under the age of 12, ha! Not so much for us thought!}...

We ended up going to Jake Melnicks for an early New Year's dinner and then attempted to watch fireworks from our rooftop... we couldn't really see them and it was SO cold, but oh well!! I was just glad to ring in the New Year with my family here!!!

We had to take my parents to the airport Tuesday morning. It was pretty hard to tell them bye since we're not sure when our next trip to Alabama will be :/ but I'm sure I won't be able to wait too long, ha!

Z had to go back to work on Wednesday... so my brother, Lolly and I went to Waffles for breakfast lunch... and we drove over to Chinatown, ha! It was a fun day!

We were so glad that my brother got to stay for a few extra days! It was super hard to say goodbye to him too :/ But I'm so thankful for the time we did have and for the wonderful memories!!! And now I'm counting the days until I get to see them all again ;) Miss you all, thanks for coming to visit!!!

We can't wait for our next visitors!!! :)