Chicago and Frankenmuth Day 5

On our last morning in Chicago we headed to Lincoln Park Zoo on our way out of town.  A really neat park right in the middle of the city.

Above is a picture of the boys captured on tv from the jays game.

#anothersummerbluejaysroadtrip is in the books!  We all had a great time and we are looking forward to doing it again next summer in Boston!  Go Jays Go!

On our way home we stopped in Frankenmuth, Michigan.  It is a little Bavarian town.  Really cute and has great food!

We also had time to hit some stores for me!  We then headed home for the long weekend with another road trip in the books!

Chicago Day 4

Today was a baseball day!!  We headed out early to the first game to watch the jays vs. white sox.  Owen had a lot of luck today getting Barney's autograph and Donaldson right at the end of the game.  The cool thing about this park is that it isn't very full.  You are easily able to move up to closer seats after the 3rd inning.  I had gone with Owen to sit right behind home plate in the second row. The guys don't usually sign at the end of the game and security is pretty hard to get by but Owen had great luck and Donaldson stopped and signed his ball! Griffin was kicking himself because he chose to stay in his seat and not come with us.  Owen was a very happy boy!!

I completely loved my view and spending the afternoon at the park!

Manager John Gibbons also signed balls for the boys.

Right after the game, we jumped on the subway and rode it all the way to Wrigley field!  Two games back to back.  It doesn't happen too often, but we were lucky enough to do it!

We were also lucky that it was Fedora night!  We all got Fedoras handed to us as we walked in!

The boys were able to get a few autographs here as well, but not as much fun when its not your home team!!

It was a long day of baseball, but being at this park was a really special night!  I don't think there is any crowd like it.  The attendants were just like you pictured... Margie ushering people away the minute they stopped, beer man selling beer, hot dog man and more!  Some real characters that make the experience that much better!

At the end of the game we headed home on the subway and stopped at Giordana's for a last deep dish pizza!  What a great decision!

This day in Chicago was awesome!! So many great memories that we will all remember!

Chicago Day 3

Today, we toured more of Chicago including a stop at Wrigley Field.  One of the oldest and most famous ball parks and also the home of the world series champs!

After touring around the park we headed for lunch and then headed to Maggie Daley park.  It was a really cool park right in the middle of the city that included all kinds of activities like rock walls and scooter trails.

That evening we headed back to the ball park for game 2 of the jays vs. white sox series.  As you can see here, Griffin was all smiles getting autographs.

Tonight wasn't as fruitful because it had poured before the game and batting practice was cancelled.  Owen was pretty bummed but it was a great game and the jays won!

Griffin had a blast with the camera guy who had told him that he wasn't able to put jays fans on the jumbo tron, but later informed Griff that he was going to video the row right in front of us and he couldn't control who sat behind him!  It was hilarious watching Griffin jump up and down showing off his jays shirt!

Chicago Day 2

On our first full day in Chicago we headed to the river to take an architecture cruise.  We were told it was a must and they were right.  It was a wonderful way to see the town and learn the history of these great buildings.

Then we headed for lunch and a walk to Millenium park to visit "the bean" which is this famous landmark/sculpture.

Griffin got to stop at Dylan's Candy Bar and he was in heaven. Three floors of candy.  He chose this container to fill full and it was full!!!

Later that evening we headed to see our first Jays game vs. White Sox.  The subway ride was a new experience for the kids.  

Owen made us all leave really early and stand waiting at the gates for open time.  We were the first in line.

This is our second summer visiting ball parks in the states with our family friends the Yeos.  The kids love it!  We love it too!  Watching a ball game in the Skydome just doesn't do it anymore.  Plus the kids get up close with the ball players and often get lots of autographs.  This year they they had the system mastered a little better and was able to get autographs like Donaldson and Bautista!

Watching the game at night in this park was really special.  We had a lot of fun until the Jays blew their lead in the bottom of the ninth.

Owen is showing off his Bautista autograph!