Chicago highlights part two..

On Monday, June 22nd, we all went to Kiddieland. Kiddieland is an amusement park in Melrose Park, IL and it has been around for 81 years. It was so special for Ryan to take his girls there since he went there every summer when he was a kid. Not only did he go when he was young, but his mom used to go when she was a kid, and so did Granny. Granny told us that she has been going to Kiddieland since she was Gracie's age! Sadly, this is the last year that Kiddieland will be open. We all had a great time and it was fun to spend the day with all of our family!!

Ava, Mia, and Payton on the Tilt O Whirl.

This was the first ride that I went on with the kids and lets just say that I can't ride rides like I used to!
Payton, Mia and Ava in the caboose

Gracie driving a convertible

Taunia, Ava, Payton and Ryan

Ava went on this ride so many times, I couldn't even begin to give a number!

Ferris Wheel

A lot of us on the roller coaster

Nikki and I near the front, Granny and U. Mike behind us,

Dana and Hope and then Payton and Grammi

Nate, Mia, Ava, Me and Payton

Payton's in the front

Granny and Grammi

Ava, Payton and Cedrick on the train that goes around the park

Gracie, Cedrick and I

Dana, Hope, Krista, Mike, Granny, Nikki and Taunia

Ryan and his cousin Matt

So much alike, it's crazy!

That night we went out without the girls and met up with some more family and friends

Lori, Taunia, and I

Matt, Ryan and Brad

Ryan and Brad have known each other since they were little. Brad's mom Joanne has been best friends with Ryan's mom Joanne since they were in high school!

On Tuesday, Nikki and I took Ava and Payton to get mani/pedis. This was Payton's first. She did really well, but thought it would be fun to run around the salon, so it wasn't very relaxing for me! ;)

She wanted the same color on her fingers that Ava picked.

Ryan, Gracie and Nate in the back

Alicia, Cassius, Mia, Payton, Brittany, Max and Cedrick

Wednesday we met up with Ryan's aunt Carrie and her kids and his Grandpa and Grandma Zdenek at Giordano's.

Aunt Carrie, Grandma and Grandpa Zdenek, Nate, Brittany and Ryan

That night we went to the White Sox game!

Payton insisted on wearing her hat backwards like Daddy.

Future pitcher?

Payton's shirt

Ryan in his glory!

Every home run there were fireworks! AND there were a lot of home runs that night!!!!

Thursday morning, Payton headed outside to help Granny with the hose.

Afterwards, we headed to Brookfield Zoo.

Fishies

Inside the Gorilla exhibit

Payton, Gracie and Ava

That night, Ryan and Payton went outside to catch lightening bugs. Ryan caught one and put it in the Gateraid bottle so Payton could see it up close.

Brittany and Payton on the flight home.

Gracie sound asleep!

We had a wonderful time in Chicago! It was so hard to leave and none of us were ready to come back. If we could we would fly back out tomorrow! It was great to spend time with family and catch up. Ryan and I wish we could see everyone more often! We truly miss them!