Festive weekend

We had a great weekend, doing some fun events in our town and in the big city!  Friday night we headed downtown to check out the Christmas walk and tree lighting in our new town.  We had pizza with some friends first and then checked out the parade, live nativity, first candy cane of Christmas to the mayor, and the tree lighting.  The Ellen show featured this event a few years ago.  It was so fun to experience it for the first time ourselves.  Hoping for many more years of celebrations here!  ;)

Justin's dad and stepmom arrived Friday night to check out our new digs.  On Saturday, we packed up the crew and took the train to Chicago for more Christmas festivities.  As soon as we sat down on the train, my mind was flooded with memories.  This was MY family's tradition every year that I can remember.  We would ride the train downtown, see the windows at Marshall Field's, shop, eat at the Walnut Room, and make sure to stock up on Frango mints.  It was pretty exciting to be doing the same thing with my own family many years later.

The girls have been asking to ride the train since we moved here.  So exciting to finally do it!

Our first stop was Macy's Marshall Fields.  

Chicago sign and historic clock!

Chicago at Christmastime is so much fun.  I love that our kids will know that same excitement.   P.S.  When did Claire get so big?!  

The girls loved hearing and seeing the story the windows told!

We headed to Millenium Park after deciding a 3 hour wait at the Walnut Room just wasn't going to cut it.  Maybe next year! :)

Checking out the bean!  Justin's parents had never been to Chicago so it was fun showing them around.

Stop for popcorn!

Sometimes I still can't believe we live in IL again.  There are pretty awesome things about it and also some pretty hard things about it.  But, this weekend definitely did our family good and sharing this tradition with our kids was really special.