Downtown

Since we started dating in 2001, we have made it each and every year to the Walnut Room at the formal Marshall Field's now Macy's on State Street in downtown Chicago. I remember my grandparents taking my brother and I there when we were little, so it was a special place. I asked Tim to take me there a few weeks after we started dating. We've been hooked since then.

The last few years, we have gone before Thanksgiving. With John, it would be too hard to be expected to wait the 3 + hours during the busy season. Tim had to help his dad in the morning, so we decided to drive down there.

Ugh, never again! First, both Tim and I never lived anywhere near the city. Anyone who were driving around us yesterday sure could tell, especially since Tim turned the wrong way. Ugh! Well, we made it into a parking garage. It was twice the price of the train. We definitely learned that we are Metra people!

We got to Macy's and there was no wait! I had the Field's Special, turkey on a piece of rye bread with lettuce and Thousand Island dressing. Tim had the pot pie, which is a specialty. John had chicken fingers, although he probably could have shared with us. We split a Frango Mint pie between the three of us. The service was OUTSTANDING and we got a spot beneath the tree. It was beautiful!

We finished our stay at Macy's with writing a letter to Santa and visiting the Big Guy himself. John really enjoyed Santa and now I don't have to wait in a super long line with him and still managed to spend less than last year! John and Tim might end up doing the Bass Pro Santa again this year, but I'm kind of pleased with having this complete.

 

 

We finished the day with a long walk to the John Hancock Center. I got some of my best pictures on our walk. I am even thinking of sharing one in class on Wednesday.

 



As much as I enjoyed the Hancock Center, John was in a pretty poor mood and I freaked out any time Tim allowed John to walk around by himself too close to the windows. Ugh, crazy fear of height! I face my fear, but since my kid has no fear, I get really nervous. We managed to get some great pictures thought!

 

 

 

I had a lot of fun experimenting with my camera! I'm never going to be a photographer, but I feel as though I am improving as our official family photographer. Although, Tim is pretty great at it too. Here are a few he took of me on our walk back to the car. (By the way, after last night, I'm really glad I took up walking a few months ago!)