According to Jack, "it was the best birthday in the history of American birthdays"

Friday, July 23 - the tradition of birthday streamers in your doorway on the morning of your birthday lives on, even on the road.

What better way to power up for a big day than with a birthday donut and chocolate milk? The Shrek horns lasted until dinner, when Gracie decided to start a fight...

Excited to see the city! On our way to the train station in Belmont. We were buried in a sea of Cubs fans on their way to see the Cubs/Cards game. Remember - Jack had some goals for this trip - see Shrek the Musical, go to the zoo, eat real Chicago pizza, go up in the Sears Tower, and go to the Museum of Science and Industry.

Well, it looks like we made it to the top of the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower). Pete took this awesome picture. We were 103 floors high in the Skydeck. Quite a marvel of architecture. And of all places, we met another family we know from Conway at the top!

Tribute to L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of OZ.

Can't believe we are up so high! We all dressed in green for the day - look out Shrek!

Everyone went out on the plexiglass cubes for an awesome view...except Pete. He was a nervous Nelly and kept telling us to get out of there!

Jack above the city - 103 floors up.

Then we took a water taxi on the Chicago River through the city....next stop, Navy Pier.

This day was super hot, so we opted against the zoo. Here we are on the merry-go-round at the pier.

Kraft macaroni noodle in the playground.

Dinner time. I think this will work for real Chicago stuffed pizza! Nothing like putting in your pizza order and hanging around curbside for an hour and a half.

Can they call our name already?

Now that's what I'm talkin' about...check our Gracie!

On to the main event...the lights, the action, the taxis dropping people off at the front door in the rain...

Jack wasn't really that excited...ha! He was about to BUST.

The show was FANTASTIC!!!

Saturday, July 24 - on to the Museum of Science and Industry.

The boys enjoying a highlight - the 3,000 foot model train. We visited it 3 times.

That night, we stayed over with Pete's boss and wife at their house, and they threw a birthday party for Jack - they are awesome, known as Uncle Michael and Aunt Christine.

And no party is complete without the double-nostril-party-blow-out trick. Go Gracie!

So, all in all we had a super trip, Jack had the time of his life, we met all goals except for the zoo, and now the kids want to move to Chicago.

Thanks to both sets of Nanas and Papas for the birthday singing for Jack!

Love to all...D