Go Bears!!

Fall couldn't be complete without football, or at least that's what Matt would say. I don't hate  football, and most of the time I can sit down and enjoy watching it, but I definitely don't love it as much as Matt does! Matt comes from a big sports state, so he was raised with sports being the most important thing ever! There's the Cubs, Bulls, and Bears. I do admit, that it's fun to get together with everyone and eat junk food and watch some football. It's not so fun when your team loses, but hey you can't win em' all, right? (see what I did there... your team loses, but you can't win em' all.. eh?) Anyways... Emma and Matt had a Bears football night, and while Emma was extremely cute in her Bears jersey (courtesy of Aunt Beth), she didn't seem too interested in the game. She just looked cute, and that's all that matters. Maybe when she's older....

Willis (Sears)Tower

Thursday was the day we ventured into Chicago, to see the Willis tower and have lunch at Elephant and Castle. Matt and I discovered the restaurant when we visited last time, and it was so delicious we had to go back. Matt's Momma had to work, so it was Matt, his Dad, Emma and I. Emma took a long nap on the way there, so she was up and happy when we got there. I had to see this tower at least once in my life, so that I never had to do it again! After 9/11, I am a bit hesitant to be in any building that has more than 10 floors, so needless to say I was ready to be in and out pretty quickly! I'm not sure if my stomach felt uneasy because we were going to the top of a gigantic tower (108 floors), or that the price for this silly thing was $17 per person! And I didn't even get lunch out of it! Or chocolate! 

Once we got to the top, it was pretty apparent that I would never be doing it again. Not really worth the price to walk around the top of a building for 10 minutes and then leave. BUT, now I can say that we did it, and also Emma too, so she doesn't have to go up again either. We did get some pretty great pictures out of it all, so I am happy about that!

Right before we went up...

 We did go out on the glass ledge windows, and that was pretty intense! I was terrified, being afraid of heights and all, and could not look down. Matt had to go out first, and then I grabbed his hand and looked straight out to get the picture. I accidentally looked down as I was getting off the ledge, and my knees buckled! It was scary!

Matt on the glass ledge

Matt taking a video of the view...

I kept it together for the camera...

Notice my grip on the blanket... I was so nervous!

 

We went to lunch at Elephant and Castle, a cute little pub restaurant in the financial district of Chicago. Everything was delicious, just as we remembered it! The rain started to come down right as we were finishing, so Matt's Dad ran (literally) back to the car that was parked blocks away to come pick us up. He is so great, and we love him!! We made it back to Ottawa safely, and the sun even decided to come out. 

 After we got back, we went for a walk around the neighborhood and took some pictures of Ottawa and a couple family shots. It is a beautiful town, surrounded with lots of rivers and trees! We are so grateful we were able to visit! 

Matt and his Momma

Emma singing!

She loves putting one foot in the air...

Her new thing is to play "shy" when you look at her

Then she looks to see if you are still looking... and laugh

The town of Ottawa, IL

Countdown has started!

10 more days until this family is off to Chicago!

Matt started his countdown, oh, about the same day the tickets were purchased, but now it's becoming real for me. I am looking forward to seeing Illinois in the fall, Matt says it's his favorite time of year there. We will see lots of family, and get some much needed relaxing time! We also plan to visit the Brookfield Zoo, which I've heard is amazing and large! It's going to be a fabulous time. 10 days to go until we get to spend 10 days in Illinois! Brad, hope you have enough ingredients to make 10 days worth of Death By Chocolate cake for your favorite Daughter-in-law!!! 

See you all soon!! XOXO