The Windy City!

Janet, Lianne, Anne Marie and I headed out at 5:30am for our flight to Chicago. We had decided four years ago when we went to Cozumel together that we would celebrate our 50th birthdays together doing something. So over the last four years we have talked about it lots and since Janet turned 50 today she was the first to organize our trip. At New Years we sat in Lianne's basement and booked our fabulous four day trip to Chicago.

We decided to stay at the Millenium Knickerbocker in downtown Chicago a block from the Magnificent Mile. We decided that we would do lots of things we love. We booked tickets to see A Chorus Line on Friday, wanted to see the Chicago Institute of Art and do an Architectural boat tour of the harbour and canals. This last item was a gift from Janet's brother Ken to all of us. Thanks Ken!

We all met at the airport and headed to the gate and to a wonderful breakfast spot to start our journey. There were a few delays but we arrived at 10am Chicago time. While we were on our flights the attendants asked us questions and found out it was Janet's 50th birthday so she brought us a small bag of champagne and bailey's to enjoy at the hotel. We went to the hotel which was about 45 minutes from the airport. We were lucky enough to get one of our rooms to go and hang our hats. The hotel was renovated last year and was built in 1927. What an amazing place. We decided to eat in the hotel for lunch and had some amazing tomato and mushroom soup with our sandwiches. Then off to do some damage on Michigan Ave. We went to a number of stores and scored some pretty nice stuff. When we returned we asked our friend Paul who works at the Concierge desk about some highlights we should look for and if he could recommend a dinner spot and he did along with many other ideas for us to mull over. There is a ton to see and we only have a few days so we need to weigh all our options. We had decided earlier that day to check out the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa next door. We ended up booking 4 Red Door Pedicures. We were to return at 3pm for some pampering. We loved, loved our pedicures and we thrilled to enjoy time laughing and giggling while having our Pedicures.

After the Pedicures we hobbled back to the hotel with our toes still tacky and headed to the local store to pick up some pop, chips and wine!

WE all hung out in our room to enjoy some beverages and snacks. At 5:30 we started to get ready and then headed three blocks to our restaurant called Carmines. What a treasure it was we had a second floor table by the window. We enjoyed some pre dinner beverages and had amazing pasta meals with a ceasar salad that was to die for. None of us finished the portions were huge. We all hobbled out of there and back to the hotel. We all got our jammies on and decided to wait to watch Grey's Anatomy together.

Well let me tell you that it is 8:45 and I am awake and the other three are all asleep on the bed. I will wake them for the show. Thanks for coming along and we will be back tomorrow.

Cheers from the Windy City Friends!