My Mary Poppins Weekend

I just had a Mary Poppins weekend.

Practically perfect in every way.

BYU sent me to Chicago for an alumni event on Friday night and it was a smashing success! I got to meet a lot of really fun and interesting people.

but...

all work and no play makes Jacey stupid for not taking advantage of a free trip to Chicago!
Soooo...

Jon drove from Omaha and we hit the town!

We got lots of great suggestions for things to do while in the city, but when you've only got one day, it's impossible to see and do everything there is to be seen and done in the windy city.

ALSO...I was under very strict instruction to NOT...I repeat...NOT plan anything. I have a tendency to over-plan, according to SOME people from Nebraska, so I swore an oath not to Google anything "Chicago" prior to this trip. I'm happy to report that I kept my promise and held planner Jacey's head under water until our weekend was over. And we still had fun! And I didn't even die!

We took the architectural cruise on the river through the city. VERY cool. Check out these awesome pics that my little phone cam took. Good job, little phone cam!

The Budweiser clydesdales happened to be hanging out at Navy Pier on the day we were there. Massive animals! The pic doesn't do this guy justice.

We walked all the way to the end of Navy Pier out to Lake Michigan. Caught some "interesting" entertainment. But not that interesting. Not that entertaining, either. But who cares? We were in Chicago!

Gosh, the city has some wonderful views, does it not?


We're on the underside of a large fountain near the river. That's water cascading down behind us.

Here's that fountain from the outside. Along with another great view. Did I mention the great views in Chicago?

Would you like fries with those baby browns?

We topped off the evening with a FANTASTIC show--the Blue Man Group show! We loved it! And look, it's a real Blue Man taking a picture with us!

When in Chicago, one must talk about the food. We had some Giordano's pizza, which came highly recommended to us by my little BYU alum buddy Joseph Tateoka (and the lady in the elevator in the Hotel Monaco). Thanks, Joseph...and elevator lady!

Also, we ate Double Stuf Oreos and lots of them...with milk, of course. What's that got to do with Chicago? Absolutely nothing. We just like to eat Double Stuf Oreos. Do we need a reason?

Other than lots and lots of walking, those are the highlights. I had such a great time in Chicago. Thanks, Brad Rawlins for sending me, and thanks, Jonathan Warren for making it a Mary Poppins weekend...and for the free therapy to help me quiet my planning compulsion. You're the best!