Navy Pier

My birthday month has almost come and gone, and I'm still loving all the goodness I got to soak up.  Having my family in Chicago for my birthday was such a treat, and I'm so thankful that I was able to celebrate my special day with the most special people in my life.  We enjoyed a long weekend, with next to nothing on our agenda.  My parents were here two Christmases ago (see pictures from that trip here), and my brother has been to Chicago several times, so it was nice not to feel pressured to sightsee and go go go all weekend.  However, we did manage to enjoy a few touristy things, including Navy Pier and a trip to Chinatown.  Surprisingly Matt and I haven't done either in the almost two years that we've lived in Chicago, and since the weather was pretty nice on Friday (translation: above 50 and sunny), we headed out to explore...

One of my favorite things about Chicago is the blend of city and serene.  You can see skyscrapers and an endless body of water in a single glance.

Pink pants + my favorite fur vest = the only way to do Navy Pier!

Love love love my family.  Matt had Cameron for most of the day, so he isn't in very many of these pictures, but I love love love him too :)

Big, scary, tall Ferris wheel...bring it.

My little brother isn't so little anymore lol.  He is growing up so fast, and I continue to be the proudest big sister on the planet!

Though more than one person in my family is a little leery of heights, we couldn't not ride the Ferris wheel.  And besides, the Navy Pier Ferris wheel isn't nearly as scary as the famous Ferris wheel at the Texas State Fair, confirming that yes, everything is bigger in Texas :)

In and ready to go, eeek!

About halfway up with a beautiful view of the pier and Lake Michigan.

My sweet parents :)

I don't think there is a better city to live in than Chicago.  We still pinch ourselves that we get to call this place home.

There Matt is lol!  PS: I realize its only April, but I think this picture might be a contender for our Christmas card :)

Since we did so well on the Ferris wheel, we thought we'd give the swings a try.  And I won't lie, I haven't laughed that hard in so long.  Hearing my dad, Matt, and Ryan scream louder than me completely made my day :)

Buckled in and ready to go!

Such a fun day and a wonderful start to my birthday weekend.  Another big thanks to my fabulous family for coming such a long way to see me on my birthday.  It was one of my favorite birthdays yet!

PS: If you're visiting Chicago and wondering if Navy Pier is a "must see," I'd say probably not.  We went with the intention to wander, enjoy the weather, and spend the morning working up an appetite for Chinatown.  There is so much to see and do in Chicago, that I'd put Navy Pier toward the bottom of the list.  But if you live here, visit often, or just want a place to soak up some springtime sun, then it's definitely worth hopping over.  I'll be back later in the week to post more pictures from my birthday weekend, but until then, have a fabulous week!