Another Day, Another Adventure

We spend most of our free time on one adventure or another. Whether it is checking out a new vacation destination and marking another state off our list, or trying out something new, there is never a dull moment-and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Friday, December 30, 2011

Chicago!

So, back during the craziness that was November, we made the trip to Chicago for a family wedding.
The flight to Chicago...the cousins got to sit together
It was so much fun to see the extended Hanson crew.  We stayed at the Dana Hotel and Spa.  It was such a different place than we had ever stayed and we enjoyed the full walls of windows.  The boys enjoyed looking down on the world below.
No, Sam's not trying to mug you here, this is the only shot I had showing the window of the hotel.
We got together on the night before the wedding with the whole wedding party at Gino's pizza...YUM!!


Brunch the morning of the wedding was at the Spiaggia Restaurant.  It was on Michigan Avenue overlooking Lake Michigan. I heard that a certain current president even takes his wife here to eat on special occasions.  From what we experience he has great taste.  The food was wonderful!

Mmm....pastries!
 Next stop: The John Hancock Building

Listening to Ross (David Schwimmer) narrate the city

 Wedding time!
Token family picture 
Yup, they're Hansons. Already bellied up to the bar!
I didn't get a whole family picture, but we had the whole group there. My grandpa's brother and his wife and his brother-in-law and his wife along with all their children still with us and grandchildren made it to the wedding.  It is so much fun to get together with everyone from across the country.  If only we were able to do it more often!!

My "Hanson" men: my brother Nick, his son Max, Sam, Bryan,  my uncle Mike, Mason, John, Joe, Dad, Bradley, and Grandpa Max.  What a great crew!
Two beautiful ladies: my aunt Shelley and mom
Cheese!!!
Cousins 
Dancing up a storm
make-shift slide at the reception
 The day after the wedding, we took some time and walked around Chicago.

Silly faces
Sam with Grandma and Grandpa
 Both the bride and groom are chefs in Chicago.  The bride works at the Purple Pig and the groom at Graham Elliot.  We got to see the Purple Pig on our walk around town:

The last day of our trip was also my brother's birthday, so we celebrated in style with red velvet cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory and pizza from Giordanos.  It was a great ending to a great weekend
Make a wish! 
The picture doesn't do it justice...it was seriously 2 inches deep with cheese.  CRAZY!
Sam with Great-Grandma Lorraine