so...my big 2-4 is coming up soon, and as sort of a birthday adventure, my mom and i decided to meet in the windy city last weekend! she and her friends, linda and kathy, and linda's daughter, kate, were already planning on making the trip, and i just tagged along--meeting up them from the west coast!

three things you should know about me: 1) i love to travel, 2) i love the fall, and 3) i love my mama! so, basically the trip to chicago was pretty golden from the start!! we just went for the weekend, and spent the time at our hotel on michigan avenue, as well as at linda's son, miles', apartment in hyde park, where he goes to college (coincidentally, he lives two blocks from obama's house, too, which is just funny to me).

but, the weekend was great! i loved spending time with my mom and friends and we had a lot of fun in the crisp, autumn weather, walking up and down the magnificent mile, shopping, and looking at the fabulous architecture of the city. i love chicago. i think i could live there. i especially loved the smell of crushed up fall leaves everywhere. we don't get a whole lot of that out here! mom and kathy went to see wicked (which i loved, and i couldn't wait for them to see!), and the hopgood's and i went to see a performance by second city called, "no country for old white men." it was obviously a political satire, and it was really funny. it was neat to be at second city, where so many talented comedians get their starts.

anyway, it was an amazing weekend, and i loved the escape from routine, since i usually need a change from the norm every once-in-awhile! ok, without further ado, here are some pictures:

cannonball-eyes, bear, and may moger (their high school nicknames!!! isn't that hiliarious?!) at the university of chicago.



this was my first night there, and mom was out past 9:30pm and chugging her root beer!!! craaazzyyyy! joni, we're such party girls...



kate and me



trump's new building, along with some lovely gothic architecture



the rest of the gang left a day before i did, so i wandered the city streets, listening to music, and just all-around enjoyed myself! here are some pictures from that day--they're from my phone so they're not the best quality!

2 comments

1. Isaac Johnson on October 27, 2008 at 12:43 PM

   That looks like a lot of fun. I've never been to Chicago! :(

    
2. Anonymous on November 2, 2008 at 1:51 PM

   HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   
   Thinking about you and hoping you are having a great one!
   
   Aunt Jinni