Chicago!!

We spent the weekend in Chicago for my friend Elizabeth's birthday (which was on Wednesday).  We (Elizabeth, her boyfriend Grant, a friend Nile, Tyson, and myself) loaded into Elizabeth's car and we left around 5:30 on Friday evening.  We got to Elizabeth's sister's house (Melissa) a little before 10:30.  Although Elizabeth and I were tired, everyone else was ready to go out! So...out we went!  We walked a few blocks, in the frigid temps, to a pizza place.  Melissa and the guys ordered a PB&J which consists of a huge slice of pizza, a 16 oz PBR, and a shot of Jameson.  Well....Tyson ordered 2. Ha!  After the pizza place we walked back to Melissa's and she drove us to our hotel which was in the Lincoln Park.  (I don't know Chicago but people were saying this like it's popular).

We got to bed around 1:00am.  After a glorious 9 hours of sleep, Elizabeth and I headed to breakfast in the hotel.  The guys had been up earlier and eaten.  We needed our beauty rest. :)  After breakfast, we got ready for the day, although we had no plans.  Tyson and I hadn't been to Chicago before, but with temps in the 30s, we really had no plans and were up for anything.  Tyson had a list of food options, and we hit one up for lunch....Frontera's which was a short walk from our hotel.

After lunch we kept walking and decided that we would go to Millennium Park, which is where The Bean is located.  We knew it was about a mile walk, but once we started seeing signs, we decided we would forget about our freezing toes, faces, and hands and make it there.  On the way we saw a group of 5 boys playing the "drums" on buckets! They were so amazing!! 

We finally made it to Millennium Park and took a few pictures of The Bean. Then we watched some ice skaters fall and decided we should head back.  The walk back to the hotel seemed MUCH shorter.  However, Tyson requested a stop at Harry Caray's (the late Cubs announcer) for  couple drinks.  I welcomed this stop as I was cold! 

After finally making it back to the hotel, we left again soon to go to Melissa's.  We had a few drinks at her house while Tyson and I taught everyone how to play Farkle.  Elizabeth and I got ready while the guys continued to play. :) 

**I should mention that Melissa won a free "happy hour" at a bar and could invite anyone she wanted.  We got 2 hours of free drinks and then we all paid an extra $10 to last another hour.**

The night out ended up being more eventful then planned...but doesn't that always happen? :)  On Sunday we headed home around 11:00am.  We had a great weekend.  Tyson and I can't wait to go back when the temperature is warmer and we can enjoy walking around Chicago without freezing! :)

Here's a recap in pictures:

PB&J!

THE BEAN!!

Self-portraits in The Bean

The Bean needs to be cleaned!!

Me with the Farrell sisters