Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Thanksgiving weekend

This holiday weekend was very eventful.

It started on Wednesday (23) as we used our Field Museum memberships to go visit the Whales Exhibition.   This was a very small exhibition and a little disappointing.   I was expecting a lot more from the Field Museum.   It was also too bad that the children's play area was closed for the day.    We ended up leaving around 3:00 and headed back home.   After arriving at the house we had no desire to leave.

On Thursday we began our Thanksgiving preparations.   I started the day by watching the Macy Thanksgiving Parade with Valentina.   We had ordered our Thanksgiving meal from Dominik's.    Tanya requested to pickup the food at 10:00 AM.  I thought that this was too early since we would not have the Spamer family over until 4:00 P.M.    But it was a good thing she had chosen the time since the turkey came uncooked!   I thought it was given to us ready to eat!   I then sat down to watch some football games and play some FIFA '12.   The Spamer family came over and provided us with some tasty wine.   In the end everything was great and everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving.

On Friday I decided at the last minute to take the family to the Willis Tower.   When we arrived there was a 3 hour wait to reach the Skydeck.   I told Tanya that we would return another day when it was less crowded.   This is where the stories differ but essentially we decided to go and check if there was a baby entrance.   As we entered the building we skipped a long line by getting right unto an elevator.   I thought this elevator took us to the Skydeck.   Wrong!   It took us to another long line to get tickets to the top.   We waited 30 minutes before getting to the front of the line.   I had purchased tickets online but was told we had to exchange them for tickets at the booth.   Doh!   Tanya went to exchange the tickets while I stayed with Valentina.    After another 20 minutes we handed our tickets to an attendant only to enter another waiting area.   45 minutes later we were escorted into a movie screening detailing the history of the Willis Tower (aka Sears Tower).    After the movie we were taken through a series of 3 elevators to the Skydeck.   Once there I snapped a quick photo of Tanya.   Then we saw the line to go back down to the main level.   It was at least a 1 hour wait.   I complained that the meter was going to run out of time and was going to get issued a ticket.   Tanya became instantly mad and frustrated while marching directly to the front of the line to complain about pregnancy pains.   This got us to the front of the line and down to the main level.   Total time spent at the top of the tower 3-5 minutes.   Unbelievable!   I told  Tanya that we would return one day with her mom.

We then arrived home for 45 minutes before heading out again to the Lincoln Park Christmas lights.   I had been recommended to visit this event by a fellow co-worker, Kyle O'Connor.    We headed down with the Simingtons and Spamers.   The park did a really nice job of lighting the zoo.   There were ice sculptures, vendors, animals and a lot of people.   The best part was we found parking very easily and the weather was not too cold.   After spending about 2 hours there we headed to Edwardo's for some deep dish pizza.   This was a great way to end the day.

On Saturday we got ready to visit the Prairie Premium outlets.   These outlets are located in Wisconsin and is about 1 hour from our home.   We arrived to find a parking lot full of cars.   We shopped for Christmas presents and ourselves at Banana Republic, Old Navy,  Carters, etc.   There were some great deals for sure!   I have a feeling we will be back there someday before leaving Chicago.   I then introduced Tanya to White Castle.   The sliders were nasty and overpriced.   I'm sure that will be the last time I eat at White Castle.   We then drove back home in the rain and arrived around 4:00 P.M.

On Sunday we went to eat some tortas at Los Comales.   This place has become one of our favorite stomping grounds in Chicago.   Afterwards we went to see the Chicago Wolves who are the local hockey team.   It was a nice afternoon to spend with the family.   Once the game ended we came back home to rest from the long weekend.

This week my parents arrive for a visit.   Everyone is very excited to have them here for the weekend.

Tanya and Valentina entering the Whales exhibition 

Tanya and Valentina at the Nativity exhibition 

Valentina and I overlooking the Main Hall at the Field Museum 

Valentina blending in with the locals

Tanya and Valentina playing around before entering the Pacific exhibition

Valentina making some new friends

Tanya and Valentina at the 9/11 exhibit

Tanya with the real head of Sue

Tanya about to begin cooking our Thanksgiving dinner

Table is about ready for our guests

Tanya cutting into her first Turkey

Everyone enjoying the dinner together

About to enter the Willis Tower

"Heck no we are not going to wait in the line!"

It is a long way up to the top 

The only picture of Tanya at the Skydeck

Looking down from the Skydeck

Entering Zoo lights at Lincoln Park 

Tanya walking through the zoo

Tanya and Valentina enjoying the evening...it is about 5:30 and already this dark 

Tanya, Larisa and Valentina having great time

Looking at one of the ice sculptures

Picking up some pizza at Edwardos

Getting coffee on the way to the outlets in a food court in the middle of the highway

Doing some shopping

Valentina trying to keep up with her parents

Walking through the outlets....alllll done...whew! 

Valentina coloring herself with an M&M



Going to Los Comales

Valentina ready for some food

The food has arrived 

My torta and taco al pastor

Valentina enjoying her taco

Valentina driving around Dominik's

We are waiting for Valentina to wake-up for the hockey game

Entering the Wolves hockey game with our gear

Getting ready for the Wolves' entrance 

Go Wolves!!! Owwwwwwww

Mom and Valentina enjoying the game 


Great way to spend a Sunday afternoon 

Valentina and I bonding 


Valentina doing some last minute grocery shopping

Valentina dancing at the hockey game

Introduction to the Wolve's players

Zoo lights

More Zoo lights 

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Starting the holiday season

This weekend Chicago officially began its celebrations for the Christmas Holidays.  I thought that it was a little too early to start since Thanksgiving has not yet passed.  But it was nice to see the lights in the city and having people start to wish me a happy holiday.

On Friday we went to Visionworks to get Tanya a new set of glasses. She used to have a pair but lost them about a year ago.  It will be nice for her to see clearly after removing her contacts in the evening.  We then came back and Tanya made some great Jamon Serrano sandwiches. 

On Saturday we went to Home Depot to get a replacement bulb and some plastic sheets to cover the windows.   Harko, our landlord, seems to have purchased really inexpensive windows since there is  a light draft that comes through each room.   This will begin to get unbearable as it continues to get colder.   After Home Depot we went to Machu Picchu for some fantastic Peruvian food.   I must say this place got a lot better the second time around.  Both Tanya and I thought the food was amazing.  We then came back home to rest and let the food settle before heading out to Michigan Avenue for the Holiday Lights Parade.   This is the parade where the city starts up "1 million" lights along Michigan Avenue to mark the beginning of the Holiday season.   And who lights the street?  None other than Mickey Mouse.   We were able to find a great parking spot and then crossed the street to see the parade.   Not considering that once we wanted to cross back it would be closed due to street cleaners.   We went to Starbucks, talked with strangers and then waited 20 minutes before crossing over.  I thought it was very fortunate that the weather held up and was not too cold. 

Today Tanya made me eggs w/ cheese and tortillas.   This is one of my favorite breakfast meals.   I used to have it almost every weekend at Sanborn's or Cafe Ocho in Mexico City.   We then left the house to go pickup Tanya's new glasses.  I did want to get a haircut but decided to do it during the week instead.   While Valentina slept we drove to Navy Pier to attend the Toy and Game fair.  It cost us $16 (w/ a coupon) and was a complete rip off!   It did kill an afternoon and kept Valentina entertained for a few hours...so maybe it was not that bad after all. 

This work week will be a short one due to the holiday.  I look forward to spending some quality time with the family.

Valentina falling and not shedding one tear

Anticuchos...nothing better to eat on a Saturday

Tanya about to eat her meal but had the Aji take into effect just as I snapped this photo

Aji de Gallina..simply awesome

Tanya and Valentina (sleeping) at Michigan Avenue waiting for the parade to start

Tanya and Valentina waiting for something to happen

Valentina and I enjoying the parade

Mickey and Minnie starting the parade

Goofy and Pluto seemed to be Valentina's favorite

Valentina mesmerized by the parade's free handouts

Cool balloon floats were shown at the parade

Kermit the Frog

Valentina enjoying her breakfast

Tanya styling her new glasses

Tanya and Valentina entering Navy Pier

Tanya taking a break at Navy Pier

Valentina shopping for toys

Valentina looking a baby to take around the show

Valentina and I with some Storm Troopers

Valentina did not appreciate the Storm Troopers and needed to be consoled by Mom

Valentina and I at a stained glass window

Valentina reaching for some of her Mom's lemonade
Valentina struggling her way up the stairs to take a bath

Valentina getting her groove on (with bottle in hand) at the Toy & Game fair
Valentina enjoying my Corona