Aaron and Ruby
Zoe, Lia, Grace, Abigail, Mia and Ruby
At the American Girl Lunch
The girls all waiting for the Metra Train
We spent Friday - Monday in Chicago with our travel group (well 6 families - there were originally 12 in all). We arrive on Friday about lunchtime and 20 minutes after we pulled in our great friends, the Freeby's, arrived. We met them at their car and Zoe got out and her and Lia just acted shy and stared at each other for about a minute. Within 5 minutes they were running around and tackling each other - Yep I think they are best friends!! Then within an hour or so the other 4 families all arrived. We spent the evening talking, relaxing, swimming, eating and looking at each others photos from our China trip. The girls all played very well together and even the older siblings got acquainted and were playing together.
On Saturday we got up and headed into the city via the Metra, the El Train, and the Subway. It was fun, exciting, and tiring all at the same time. The girls headed to American Girl Place for shopping and lunch at the cafe. Some of the group headed to the Sears/Willis Tower. Then we met up with everyone at the Lego Store and then hopped a trolley to Navy Pier. Many of us took a ride on the Ferris Wheel - highly recommended!! Then we headed back to the hotel by taking a very relaxing water taxi back to the Metra Train. However, when we finally reached our destination we realized the train was leaving in less than 5 minutes and we had to run to get to the train. It was a close call but we all made it! That evening we spent time swimming and just hanging out again. We even ordered a Chicago Deep Dish pizza - VERY YUMMY!!!
Sunday morning we got up a little earlier and headed out for Chinatown. Tiffany (Ruby's mama) made all the girls matching dresses and, wow, did they ever look cute!! We used the transportation as the day before and this time it didn't seem like such a long commute - it was fun! When we arrived at Chinatown it felt like we were back in China again. Many of the same sights, smells, and sounds that were in China were here in Chinatown! They were having their Summerfest so the street was packed with people and vendors. I got some great deals and a few new items for Molly's room. We spent time shopping and then all went to a Chinese lunch. After lunch we had more shopping and then all met up for the ride back to the hotel. That evening back at the hotel we swam and ate dinner and then the girls had a few games of Ring Around the Rosy and London Bridges - they were all giggling and having a great time. Aaron had a difficult time that night because he knew it would be his last time playing with Ruby and MiaRose. He really became attached to the 2 girls and spent time grieving about them leaving in the morning. Ruby lives in Atlanta area and MiaRose lives near Chicago so hopefully we will get to see at least MiaRose sometime yet this summer. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone, but I know we will see them all again. We are planning to rent a cabin in the Smokey Mountains next year - FUN, FUN, FUN!!! Hoping more of the group can join us next year!!
We feel so blessed to have such a wonderful travel group and feel like we are all one big happy family! It's amazing how the adoption of these lovely little girls has brought us all together!
Miss you all!
