Chicago!

Matt and I celebrated our anniversary just a few weeks early this year.   We had decided way back in August to plan a trip to Chicago with another couple who are great friends of ours.  So, we were on the road by 8:30 am Friday morning headed to Montpelier, Ohio to drop off the kiddos.  Gra-Nola and Papa Gary met us at Kay and Jim Fackler's house (Nola's cousin) just around 11:30.  We were only there for about 20 minutes and then were back on the road toward Clear Lake, Indiana (where Ben and Erin Culler live).  By 12:45 pm, we were on our way to Chicago with Ben at the wheel.  Just a few hours later, we arrived at the Inn of Chicago - just off the Magnificent Mile - for our 2-night stay.  We grabbed a drink and some appetizers at Timothy O'Toole's Pub (best guacamole - EVER!) and walked down Michigan Avenue until we were ready to eat dinner.  We found ourselves at Gino's East to enjoy some Chicago-style deep dish pizza.  It was excellent!  Then we had some extra time until the Comedy show, so we ventured to the Hancock Building where we rode the elevator to the top and enjoyed a drink at the Signature Room.  By 10 pm we were at the Up! Comedy Club to enjoy comic Rob Riggle.  Late night for us since we were still on Ohio time!
On Saturday, we first enjoyed breakfast and coffee at The Corner Bakery and then hit the shops!  I found a great pair of shoes and we of course had to go to the Disney store and get T-shirts and stuffed animals for the girls.  Lexi scored a Perry the Platapus and Jill ended up with Scully (from Jake and the Neverland Pirates).  Alli came up empty-handed... I don't think she will mind too much this time.  All that shopping worked up an appetite, so we made our way to the Grand Lux Cafe.  So yummy!  Matt and I just couldn't stop ourselves from moving on to The Cheesecake Factory for a slice each 'to go'.  Next came a much needed nap in our rooms.  After we were well rested, we got changed for our dinner at Mastros - surf-n-turf!  Matt ordered swordfish and I got the petit filet.  We stuffed ourselves and then ended the night at the Redhead Piano Bar. 
Great times were had by all and we can't wait to plan our next adventure with the Cullers.  We left Sunday morning with a quick bite and coffee from Dunkin Donuts and made our way back to Perrysburg to meet up with the kiddos.  Huge thanks to Nola and Gary for keeping the girls for 2 nights.  Hope they weren't too bad!
I'm ready to go back, but my pocketbook says we need to keep it to once or twice a year! HAHAHA! Enjoy a few pics!