So we made plans this year to attend and we stayed at my cousin Christine and her husband's house, they were off on a vacation and offered us there house, it worked out perfectly! We did stay in a hotel Thursday night because they were not leaving until early Friday morning, so when we got into town and all checked into the hotel, we were off in search of a shopping center. We located an outlet mall about 45 minutes away. We got there and OMG it was a Zoo!! They had some really good sales going on or something, it took us about a half hour to find a parking place. I sure wish we got some of the crazy parking lot pictures.
The only pictures I got of this day was the 3 shots below of Cooper eating some Frozen Yogurt. It was a gorgeous day out. We found a few good deals but didn't break the bank!
After the mall, we headed back to the hotel to do my shot (more on that later) then to Christine and Rays house to say hello and show us around the house. We didn't stay long, we were tired and they were going to the park for another fireworks show. We were going to go but we wanted to spend some time in the pool back at the hotel and just relax. It ended Cooper and I stayed back, he needed a bath, and the others went to the pool. We ordered pizza and hit the sack pretty early.
The next morning, we got up and ready for the Lincoln Park Zoo! I was excited to take Cooper, Micayla and Brandon, I think had fun. I think they like showing Cooper all the animals.
The best were the monkeys, they actually moved around. All the other animals seemed to be napping and not moving much.
This is how excited Cooper was! LOL
After the Zoo, we sat outside near our car and had a little picnic. We packed sandwiches and lots of snacks, saved us lots of money! After our late lunch, we headed over to Lake Michigan and hung out on the beach! It was awesome! The water was FREEZING! I think the lifeguard said it was like 64 degrees, brr... however, Cooper didn't seem to mind one bit, at first anyways..
I think this is his 2nd or 3rd time in the water and I'm pretty sure this shot Tom was trying to get the sand out of Coopers hair and he didn't want any part of it. LOL Cooper loved playing in the sand, I'm just upset I forgot my good camera, so my phone was the only camera we had and well, you know how the batteries last on those :(
Someone was tuckered out! We met my cousin, Erica and her family at the beach, then headed towards the Navy Pier, but since it was so far away, we found a nice restaurant on the beach and had supper instead. Again, no pictures:( But the kids had a blast, they were all dancing and just enjoying the outdoors. We can't wait to do it again and when we have more time.
Friday night, Erica and her family stayed with us at our Cousin's house, I didn't get any pictures but I did get one picture of the house, I took this as we were leaving Sunday. It fit everyone perfectly!
Saturday was the reason we were in Chicago! Every year my cousin and her family throw a benefit for the Children's hospital where there son had Leukemia (he's been cancer free for 5 years!) and they restock the closet so all the kids who are sick get to pick things that they want to play with. It's an awesome benefit and you should have seen the toys! They also cater in food and have lots of things to do.
Here Cooper is playing in the jump house with Gavin, Ryan, Daddy and Brandon.
All of a sudden a big Army trucks come rolling on by and after a long line, Cooper and I, along with Erica, Taylor and Ryan got to go for a ride in the front seat!
They even had a firetruck! Cooper loved sitting in the big seat! He looks like a natural huh??
More bounce house fun!
The day/night was perfect, we headed back to the house and called it an early night, we were all exhausted!
Sunday morning, we got up, cleaned up the house and all, then headed out for breakfast to Denny's. Everyone in my family LOVES breakfast!
Of course, we couldn't go without more shopping. We stopped at Home Goods, Old Navy, and 5 Below, this is a store we've never heard of, it's a pretty neat store.
We were happy to be home! We went up to mom and dad's for hamburgers on the grill, trying to spend as much time with my dad while I can!
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