Hello from Chicago!

None of our trips can ever run smoothly. We were going to leave for this trip at 9 pm and drive through the night. We had to make it to Warsaw, IN by 11 am for a memorial service for Andy's Grandma Virginia. At about 7:30ish, a freak storm comes through and knocks a tree across our driveway! Poor Andy is out there in the lightening with a chainsaw so we can leave.

We finally make it out the door around 10pm. At the time we decided it, driving through the night seemed like a great idea. It was in the sense that Audrey slept the entire way, but Andy and I were so tired we had to take numerous short shifts driving while the other caught some Z's.

After the graveside service, everyone went to lunch at a nice restaurant on a lake. Audrey enjoyed getting to meet her extended family on Grandma Mary's side. That evening, she got to meet the family on Grandpa Pete's side. After we drove up to Chicago, we met a big old group at Home Run Inn Pizza (a Farbotko favorite restaurant, although I can't figure out why!). Audrey and I were so tired, we barely made it through dinner.

On this trip, we decided to be smart and bring the pack and play, but Audrey is still sleeping in the bed with us. She doesn't like being placed in there while we are sitting right next to her. She's quite the little bed hog, sleeping perpendicular between us.

Yesterday, Andy, Audrey and I spent the day at Brookfield Zoo. Audrey's favorite animals there were the ducks and geese - exciting, huh? Afterwards, we headed back to Aunt Mary's for a Portillo's dinner (another Farbotko favorite, although these do taste good, unlike the pizza). Audrey and Ian played together really for the first time. Audrey was chasing Ian around the house and they were both laughing like maniacs! Audrey slept very well last night (in fact, she and Andy are still sleeping).

Today, we make the 5 hour drive to St. Louis so Audrey can meet Grandma Carol's side of the family. Hopefully I'll be awake enough to get the pictures off of my camera tonight!