under the magnolia tree

Our Chinese Reunion was held in Chicago this year which meant it was just a hop, skip and a jump away for us!   We decided to take the train into the city, making it the first train trip for the kids.  Amtrak lets kids ride free on the weekends in the summer, how awesome is that!?

They liked looking out the windows but really just wanted to get there.  When we arrived in Union Station it was mayhem.  The Black Hawks had just won the Stanley Cup and the city was having a big parade that morning.  We somehow sped through the crowds and took a back way out of the station where the kids promptly hailed a cab for us.  This cracked me up because I didn't know they knew how to do this.

Chinese Sisters reunited!

On Saturday morning we all had brunch at American Girl.

Magnolia spies a horse and carriage outside.

When we finally walk out of the store we see the Ryles taking that horse and carriage.  They offer to take Magnolia and George who excitedly climbed aboard.

George and I waved goodbye as they took off for a drive down Lake Shore Drive. I found out later that Georgie asked if they were on the highway because he didn't have his seatbelt on!

We met back up again at Portillo's for Chicago dogs.

The day before, on Friday we all headed to Navy Pier for the day.

Here we are waiting for the trolley.

Group shots.  All together again.

Then we got on a speedboat to see Chicago from Lake Michigan.

This boat went REALLY fast and played REALLY loud music.   It was wild.  George was awestruck, they both loved every minute of it!

After the boat ride we had lunch and saw the Shanghai Acrobats on Navy Pier.  It was a fabulous show  with gorgeous weather.  It was outside and we were happily entertained while munching on Garrett Popcorn.  We walked all the way back to the hotel and Magnolia crashed in the stroller.

Our time together is always fun.  We swam at the hotel pool, met up for drinks in the evening and caught up on how all of our girls are doing.  It's always hard to say goodbye. This was our last night together.  

One of our families had connections to see the fireworks over the lake from the Chicago Police Department pier.  Magnolia was so anxious about the fireworks that she decided not to go.  She and I walked hand in hand through the bustling city taking in all that we could see.  We came across a homeless man who was asking for money.  I truly did not have any money to give him and told her so.  She said, "Too bad Dad's not here...he has A LOT of money."  Oh my goodness.   We stayed up late at the hotel.  Just the two of us.  It was so special being just with her.  Meanwhile Georgie and George loved seeing the fireworks and the police department.  They didn't get back to the hotel until 11pm and Georgie asked to be put right into bed clothes and all.  It was a fun night for all of us.

It was beautiful the next morning.  As everyone parted ways, we took our coffee to a wonderful little park and let the kids play before we caught our train home.

We are looking forward to next year!