Chicago - The Navy Pier.

We discovered that Chicago has a pier with an amusement park ... it's callled Navy Pier.


And it has a fantastic Ferris Wheel with views over Chicago.


Felix was pretty excited...



Astrid loved the view...


And it seems we went higher ...


and higher...


Which made Mummy feel pretty ill (v-e-r-t-i-g-o-)!


But it really was an amazing view!


Another little family portrait or two - not!


(Not sure why we are looking so red here???)


And don't worry grandparents, we had a good hold of Astrid here. Promise!

The Sears Tower.

This is us up the Sears Tower - one of the tallest buildings in the world. 110 floors!


What an awesome view of Chiacgo.


Felix was pretty obsessed with the binocular thingys...


But then was pretty impressed with the view.


Poor Astrid slept through it all (with a bit of persuasion from Daddy)!


Mummy was super impressed!

In anticipation of the Sears Tower.

Unbeknownst to us, Chicago has one of the tallest buildings in the world - The Sears Tower (just behind the twin towers in KL) with 110 floors.


So before we went up the tower we had a lovely sit in the park 'en face' and enjoyed our coffees.


Daddy's a tough critic though so don't think it was quite up to scratch...


Mummy was enjoying the soy that is impossible to find in France and captured the moment with a 'Dave Hayes' style portrait ...


And of course Astrid was simply happy to be out of the pram to stretch those legs!


Sears Tower here we come...

More Sunshine.

We were so surprised that Chicago put on such great weather. Really made our trip. Meant little Astrid could wear her super cute dress from Uncle Barrie and Aunty Kim a few more times.


Thanks guys!

The American Diner.

Whilst in The States, Mummy really wanted to have an 'American Diner' type experience.


So one night we were walking home and saw a booth calling our name in Lincoln Park (not to mention their cocktails.


The great thing about the USA is they are SOOOO kid friendly and always have crayons and something to colour in - very sensible really!


And even high chairs (unheard of in France!) for little girls who just want to be out exploring rather than eating!


Poor little Astrid became quite accustomed to 'take away' food (jars, organic yes, but jars!)


So we were all pretty pleased with our (huge) meals...


Gotta love those fries. Yes Mummy helped Felix!


And little Astrid helped Daddy!


But boy did we pay the price the following day*!

*Never let a soon-to-be One Year Old gorge herself on fries just for some peace whilst you are eating a meal!

Shed Aquarium.

Next stop on the Chicago agenda - The Shed Aquarium.


I have to say having seen the Sydney Aquarium, we had rather high expectations.


The Shed Aquarium was great but nothing on Sydney.


Of course Felix had a great time looking at sting rays...


...the different fish and the sharks.


Astrid thought they were kinda cool too!


But alas it just didn't compare to the Sydney Aquarium.


Although had to smile at this photo ... very Sydney don't you think?


But oh what perfect weather we were having - YUM!


Astrid was asleep here... I think I wish Felix was too!

The Field Museum.

It was a gorgeously perfect sunny Chicago day and so we set off to see the Field Museum (after having a look at a little sculpture installation on the way).


Surprisingly enough it was pretty empty (probably given the sunshine outside!).


Everyone (aka Felix) was terribly excited to see even MORE dinosaurs.


And the elephants...


And the different exhibitions (which really were fantastic and perfect for those freezing snowy winter days!)


There were SO many animals to look at ...


Astrid insisted on getting in on the action, out of the pram thanks Mummy and Daddy!


After all the excitement we stopped for a bite to eat in the cafe just underneath the pterodactyl.


What crazy cookeys!


(Ok at this point perhaps Mummy should have put away the camera...)


Don't you love this 'We're over it Mummy!!!' photo... so let's end on this bright cheery one instead!