So here are some more photos from this weekend. We have had so much fun spending time with Ryan and Kristin as well as all the fun things we got to do in Chicago. The food out here is so good too. Yesterday we went to the Shedd Aquarium, (I'll post that later) and then on the way home got an authentic Chicago hot dog. They put a sliced pickel, sliced tomatoes and hot peppers on it. It was the best hot dog I have ever had. So for the rest of the week Jeff and I will be cleansing our bodies and eating lots of salad and fruit :).
Today we are suppose to have snow and the temp is suppose to drop back down again! Just in time for us to head back home.



Eli playing Scene It. On Kristin's team.
The Ikea here had an area that kids 3 and under could play in. It was just next to the kitchen section where we were so Jeff and I took turns letting Eli play. Really though he only lasted a few seconds in the balls. We thought he would never want to leave. Instead what he wanted was to take two balls with him and carry them around the store for the rest of the time. Which we let him do.



At Ikea eating lunch

All bundled up and ready. This was a process each day that we are all not going to miss, especially Eli. I'm kinda thankful for the Northwest "Mild" winters.
This is Lou Malanaties deepdish pizza. The most cheese I think that I will ever eat in one setting. One of Jeff's two favorite pizza places that we went to. Since cheese is not my best friend I enjoyed it while I could. We also went to Gino's in downtown Chicago on Sunday night. Eli just at the crust both times. Surprisingly he's not a big fan of pasta type dishes, even though he loves tomatoes.

So it hasn't been as cold the last few days in here. Right now it's 33 degree and yesterday it was in the twenties. Such a change from the first few days we were here. Friday we went back into Chicago and went to the Museum of Science and Industry. Lots to see and do. Eli mostly just noticed any balls that were around. He did like the super large trains display and the cars. Those were probably a highlight for him. They also had a farm display and some baby chicks. We all left very tiered with my pedometer saying that we had walked 3.75 miles. He crashed in the car as soon as we left.
Saturday was time with Ryan in Kristin. We went to Ikea, which is only a few minutes away from there house, looked at kitchen stuff and then ate lunch. Then we stopped by home depot. They're making some changes to their kitchen so it was fun to play HDTV with them. Then later that night after Eli went to bed we got to play spades and bridge. So much fun!
Today we went to church at Willowcreek Church with Ryan and Kristin. This is where Bill Hybels preaches. This was the first Mega church that I had every been to. They seat 30,000 people. He spoke on an interesting topic that I have never heard spoken from the pulpit. The Environment. He used scripture from Genesis and taught about how we are to subdue, work and take care of the earth. Overall our abuse of natural resources can cause poverty and suffering for others, especially in developing countries. Then tied it all in to the gospel.
So after lunch and naps we plan on heading back over to Moody to hook up with some of the kids Jeff and I new from High School Ministry at Antioch and go out to dinner.
Eli seems to be enjoying himself here, very much. He has managed to find every ball in the house and garage. He seems to really love Kristin. The kitties scamper and scooter (i'll have these photos later) keep him very entertained.

Here are some photos that I have so far. The rest from the past two days are on the camera still and I will get them off tonight and post them tomorrow. Miss you all!

At the Airport
Eli took a good nap on the plain and so did I. He didn't cry until the end when he kept saying all done. We walked a bunch back and forth for maybe 30 minutes or so up and down the Aisle.
Eli looking for his ball! Its probably in Japan by now!

Visiting Moody


Bethany and Kioni our high school kids

At Jimmy John's Sub Shop
Ryan teaching Eli how to use the tread mill
Museum of Science and Industry

...that's what Jeff said it felt like as we walk in downtown Chicago on the way back to the car. With a wind chill of -8 it's no wonder. Eli is wearing girl infant tights to keep him warm...0-9 months fit just right and the price was just right too, $1.45 at Target. Today we visited Moody and got to see Kioni and Bethany (two of our high school kids from when we did youth ministry at Antioch) who are students at Moody. We surprised Kioni in the hall way and then Bethany in the lunch room. So sweet to see our past students walking faithfully with the Lord. We then got lunch at a favorite sub shop of Jeff's called Jimmy Johns and then walked around town. Jeff took us up the John Hancock building to the 96 floor where we could have a panoramic view of the whole city and Lake Michigan. It was really spectacular. Plus it was a break from the freezing cold. We don't have pictures now but we will later.
Tomorrow we'll be visiting a museum and seeing more of downtown.
More update later.