Chad and I went to Chicago for his Graduate School 5 year Reunion this last weekend. We had a terrific trip. It was beautiful weather, especially for Chicago in November. We spent a couple days exploring and remembering our fun times there 5 years ago. Later we hooked up with fun friends and remembered good times. How fun.
On our first day, we walked along Michigan Ave and here I am by the river and Chad is next to the Wrigley Building. We spent several hours at the Art Institute - very neat to explore it without kids in tow.
That night we went to dinner and to the Blue Man Group. We hadn't gone as poor college kids, and it was very fun to spend a night on the town. We quickly snapped this pic of us at the show just before the usher told us to put the camera away.
One of our favorite things while we were there was reliving our time. We ran along the Shoreline trail - drove around our old Hyde Park neighborhood, and looking out at Lake Michigan. Here we are along the beach with part of the city behind us.
We got together two of Chad's fellow school friends and their wives (the
Kanes and the
Pauls) for dinner and also stayed with the
Pauls for two of the nights. It was fun to be part of their life again. Chad ran with Brent on Saturday, and it was nice to see how big the kids are getting.
We visited our favorite of all time museums - the Museum of Science and Industry - and spent 5 hours there. It was just as we remembered - but better. They have added several new exhibits and updated and upgraded many parts. It was fun to explore this with Chad and no kiddos. But, we made a pact to bring our kids back. It is
sooooo neat!
The Reunion had several events and we attended a "Back to Class" session where we learned about things beyond my limited world scope. The topic was on "Sovereign Wealth Funds". I felt lost for the first 10 minutes when I didn't recognize ANYTHING they were talking about. By the time the lecture was over, I felt my world had expanded and I new a lot more about wealthy sovereign countries like Dubai and China and how they typically invest their money in foreign markets like the US. Crazy what you can learn about daily at this sort of amazing University.
We also went to the class reunion dinner, and Chad reconnected with many, many of his friends from classes and projects. His Lead Squad was the most rewarding to catch up with, and they were all very nice and remembered our cute Audrey from when she was a little girl in Chicago.
Sunday was perhaps the best day of all. We attended the same church we had attended both years there. So many people have moved on in the last 5 years and are no longer living in Hyde Park. But, it was fun to connect with those that are. And, it was so exciting to see those we worked with in the gospel still strong and active - and in the ward leadership now! What a great trip. It was also fun to see the little sunbeams I taught all grown up and 9 years old now!!!!
It is fun to come home, but part of our hearts are still in Chicago!
Fall has been fun - we have enjoyed football, Thanksgiving Dinner, the opening of an In and Out Burger a couple miles from our house, and seeing the kids progress in school and learn so much. It is strange that the fall is drawing to a close and the Christmas Season is upon us. Kate has become a three year old social butterfly, playing almost daily with her best friend, Emily. Carson and Audrey have surprised me with their progress in school, and Chad is in Heaven with the BYU win over Utah on Saturday.
These pics are from our leaf cleaning exploits one Saturday. We got them all blown, raked and gathered before the snow came down. The kids were in heaven playing in the leaves, and also very useful in compacting them into our garbage can. 
