We Ran Away Together

For Thanksgiving this year, Joe and I decided to run away together on a trip- just the two of us!

When we moved to Missouri, we made somewhat of a list of places that we wanted to see while we lived in the Midwest and one of the big ones was Chicago! With our recent 3rd anniversary and my graduation from school, we thought now would be a good time to take one of those bigger trips to celebrate!

So, we planned a 5 day trip, packed up a lot of groceries to save on eating out, and drove the 6 hours through the rolling hills of Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois to get there.

Here's some of the highlights of what we did in Chicago...

SHOP

 The Nike Store had us both drooling! Athletic wear is both mine and Joe's weakness. There were so many humongous shopping centers on the Magnificent Mile. We walked up and down the mile a number of times taking in all the sights and stores.  It was all decorated in Christmas lights and garlands. 

 I just loved how it made me feel like Christmas is here! 

EAT OUT

 Here we are at Gyno's East Pizza for some Chicago Style thin crust pizza. 

RAN IN A TURKEY TROT 8K (5 Mile Race)

 With 7,000 other runners running around down town Chicago, this event was majorly cool!  We got to run around the Zoo and along Lake Michigan.  Was it cold? Well, yes, but with all those runners, we actually stayed rather warm off the body heat.

STAYED IN A HOTEL ALMOST ON THE

MAGNIFICENT MILE

Our hotel was on Ohio Street and would you believe that Joe's uncle Kam lived on this exact street while he attended North Western University? Crazy!

ICE SKATING ON THANKSGIVING IN

MILLENNIUM PARK

 This was surreal! We got hot chocolate (Joe) and caramel apple cider (Nat) and sipped it in the park while we watched the ice skaters go round.  Once we were warmed up from our drinks, we hit the ice ourselves.  The big buildings that surrounded the rink and the remaining fall leaves on the trees was picturesque!

GOT PEDICURES

I don't have a picture of this!

SAW THE VIENNA BOY'S CHOIR IN THE

SYMPHONY CENTER

 We had to do something cultural, since Chicago has so many opportunities for that.

I couldn't believe how young those boy's were (Age 10-14) and how far they traveled from home without their Moms! Who reminded them to comb their hair before the performance, I thought??

Their voices were angelic.

SAW CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT THE ZOO

On our last night in Chicago, the Lincoln Zoo opened their gates (free to the public) for their Christmas light festival! The lights were awesome and we even got to see lions and gorillas! 

SAW A 40FT. TALL TREE LIGHTING

Introduced by Joan Cusack, the Mayor initiated the lighting of this 40 ft. tall tree!  A big crowd gathered and sang Christmas carols together just before the lights turned on.  Then fireworks shot off into the sky to celebrate that Christmas is here!!

In summary...

We LOVED our get away together!

Being with my best friend for an entire week was fantastic and I'd go anywhere in the world,
so long as I got to go with him!