Valentina's birthday celebration

This weekend we celebrated Valentina's 2nd birthday.   It was a great day but the best gift she got was her grandma Naty arriving from Mexico to celebrate the day with her.

Naty arrived in Chicago on Saturday and  we got to the airport 45 minutes late, whoops.  Due to the Chinese New Year there was a parade held on our street!  This caused heavy traffic and delayed us getting to the airport.   Once we picked up Naty we took her to eat at the Butcher and the Burger.   I once again got an egg on my burger but will probablythe last time.   It is too much of a gut bomb.

On Sunday we had several friends and family members over at the house to celebrate with us.  I ordered Dominos Pizza for about 16 people.   Valentina had a great time with her friends and family.  But she got so tired she came to me and once I picked her up she instantly fell asleep.   This was the first time this has happened.

The party started at noon and ended around 6:00 PM.   We had a lot of pizza leftover but Naty and Tanya took care of that today.

This was a great weekend.  I head of for my first trip to China this week.  I'm excited and anxious.  Excited to finally get to see China and anxious to leave Tanya so pregnant.   But I know we have time and Naty will take good care of Valentina and Tanya while I'm gone.

Winter weekend in Chicago

The weekend started by going into the city for Tanya's doctor's appointment.   Afterwards we went to Xoco.   This place was featured on last week's CBS Sunday Morning program.   The show highlighted the hot chocolate and thought we would give it a try.   Besides this drink Tanya and I had some really good Tortas, chips and flan.   This place was really tasty but way too crowded.  If we do find ourselves in the area we may decide to visit Xoco again.

On Saturday we went to the Polar Adventure Days in Northerly Island.   There was saw ice scupltures, wolves, dog sleds and a lot of people.  Since it was not too cold outside it allowed us to have a better time.   We then headed out to do some shopping for Valentina's birthday next week.   Afterwards I took the family for some great burgers at the Butcher and the Burger.   Then we stopped at a Redbox and rented  X-Men First Class and the Devil's Double for the evening.

On Sunday we started the day by picking up the week's groceries.  I then took the family for lunch in Hyde Park.  I had seen a restaurant featured there called Zaleski and Horvath Market Cafe.   It was really good and we all had a great lunch.   I had a pull pork sandwich and Tanya had a roasted turkey panini. We then went to visit the Dusable Museum of African American History.  The museum did not have a lot of exhibits but was still an interesting place to learn about African Americans and their influence in Chicago.   I enjoyed the section focused on Gospel music and watching Valentina dance through the exhibit.

This was another great weekend in Chicago and am now ready to finish the evening with some football.

Tanya in line waiting to order at Xoco

Valentina enjoying some homemade chips

Great Chicken Chipotle sandwich

Outside Xoco

Snowy day in Chicago

Going to the Polar Adventure days

Inside the visitors center...notice the owl?

Lady with the owl explaining they are everywhere!!! 

Tanya and Valentina drawing a winter scene

Valentina putting away some toys

Valentina petting a sled dog

Valentina walking through the snow in Northerly Island

Valentina learning why people use gloves

Great day in Chicago 

Walking through Lincoln Park

Great Burger!!! 

Tanya enjoying her burger...Valentina enjoying her milk

Valentina taking an afternoon siesta

Waiting for our food 

 Valentina enjoying her kettle chips

Valentina walking up the stairs to the museum 

Tanya and Valentina enjoying a winter day in Chicago 

Martin Luther King weekend

This MLK holiday weekend started by going to eat some dim sum at the Happy Tree in Chinatown.   Tanya and I really enjoyed the meal.   The food is made fresh and very well prepared.   We left very satisfied.   We also spend some time in the Art Institute looking through their fantastic art collection.

On Saturday we invited the Simington's to lunch as a thank you for taking us to the airport.   We went to Machu Picchu for some Peruvian food.   This meal was really enjoyed by everyone!   We then went for a  quick visit to the Field Museum.   This has become a favorite destination for the family.  Becoming members here has been one the best decisions we've made in Chicago.

On Sunday we went to eat and visit with Tanya's aunt and her family.   They were very nice and accommodating.   I hope that we can see each other again very soon.   It is always nice to have family nearby.

Today I took the family out to eat at Baking and Eggs.   This restaurant was featured on Check Please, a local gastronomy show, and thought we should give it a try.   After a 30 minute wait we were sat down and only to be served mediocre food.   I was very disappointed and will probably not return.   There are so many great breakfast places in Chicago that we can very easily skip this place.

Afterwards we went to look at some strollers and have settled on Mountain Buggy.   This stroller has the best design and functionality that we've seen.   It is  bit pricey but is worth every penny.

We then went to the Aquarium which was packed today.   I did not enjoy the time we spent there and only lasted 1 hour.  I'm not sure that we'll be back anytime soon.

We are now back in the house and am going to prepare to head back to the plant tomorrow.

Tanya walking to the Art Institute with Valentina

Tanya posing with a sleeping Valentina

Tanya in front of a Rembrandt

Tanya in front of an El Greco

Tanya entering the modern part of the Art Institute

Tanya in front of Picasso's The old guitarist

Tanya with a Dali

Tanya posing with another Picasso

Valentina playing in the Institutes's children area

Tanya climbing the furniture

Valentina walking to eat lunch at Machu Picchu

Tanya walking Valentina through the snow

Valentina storing some corn for the Spring

Tanya posing with another African mom

Tanya and Valentina walking through the African exhibit

Valentina making some calls

Dim Sum for lunch....very good

Tanya's aunt makes these very detailed doll houses

Inside the doll house

Another look inside

Tanya looking at the detail

Tanya's family

Going to get some breakfast

Decent place to eat but not worth the long wait

Tanya is about to start digging into her food

The is a good looking omelet

Tanya with the skyline of Chicago

Valentina looking at a duck in the Shedd Aquarium

Me and Valentina at the Aquarium

Valentina enjoying the fishes