Trip to Michigan/Chicago 1 of 2 posts

So mid June we went on an adventure of 9 days as a family. Dan, Sam and I flew into Chicago and then drove to various locations in Michigan to spend time with Dan's family. We then headed back to Chicago to spend a few days with BFF Seetal and her family. It was a lot of fun but totally exhausting for a few reasons 1) I am just starting my 3rd trimester of this pregnancy and 2) traveling with a 2 year old (enough said).

Here is Dan and Sam on the plan ride to Chicago. It was an early flight (8Am) but Sam did well minus a minor upset moment getting on the plane and thank goodness for them letting us get on the plane with first class so had time to get settled. We brought her car seat with us but she refused to sit in it...oh well we tried... She also plastered her daddy with princess stickers during the flight...Hilarious...

We stopped in to have lunch with Seetal and the kids before driving up to Michigan that day and she thought to plan ahead and bring some bubbles (Sam's favorite thing at the moment) so the kids could run around at the park for a bit before we had to hit the road..

Our first stop was to stay at Dans Aunt Ellen and Uncle Doug's for 3 nights. We had a lot of fun playing cards, letting Sam run free on their gorgeous property and just spending some good quality time with family. WE also had a fabulous dinner over at Aunt Marilyn's and Uncle Jim's and got to meet all of Dans cousins... It was a great way to start the trip. We also had a full day at the zoo which I think Sam really enjoyed...

At Jim and Marilyn's house with their two daughters Vicki and Jodi. It was so fun to finally meet them especially since I had communicated with Vicki via email quite a bit and hear stories from everyone else.

Dan and I before we went into the zoo. Yes me in all my 27 weeks prego glory...I knew where every bathroom was at that zoo by the end of the day..heheh

Here Sam and I are trying to pet the sting rays. I think Sam enjoyed washing her hands before we could even go in and then putting her hands in water as opposed to petting sting rays..

Here Sam is on a "big girl swing" at the park across the street from zoo after we feasted on a fabulous picnic lunch (Thanks Marilyn)....

After all that we moved on and went to stay in Spring Lake Michigan where Dans grandmother June lives and his Aunt Vic and Uncle Randy. We spent some lovely time with Grandma.

Here is a 4 generation picture of Grandma "June", Larry (Dans dad), Dan and Samantha.. Love this picture...

We also had a fabulous dinner at Vic and Randy's (thanks guys for having us) and stayed at a nice hotel right on the water.

The morning we left Spring Lake we had a fabulous breakfast at Grandmas house and then Dan, Sam, Larry, Amy and myself went out to a fun pier in the area and had a lot of fun wearing Sam out..heheheSam riding in Daddys arms when she got tired and playing peekaboo with me.

Sam chasing Grandpa down the pier..So cute...