Better than Santa!

That's right, Grandma and Grandpa came to town. My parents did us a noble act of service and drove our car all the way from Utah to Chicago for us! It's been a long time since we've had a car (for those of you who don't know, we've been trying to sell our car and didn't want to drive it out here, so we tried to sell it in Utah. Well, after a couple months of no interest in our car, we decided we may as well drive it.) It's been an adventure without a car, but we're ever so ready to have wheels again!
Anyway, even more exciting than the car, for us, was the chance to have my parents around and to show them our city. It was just the rejuvenation I needed. They were so optimistic and positive about the city and all the things around us. They saw all the good in our surroundings, which is something, sad to say, I've had a harder time doing the last few weeks. It reminded me that I really do love this place. It took my parents' approval, I guess, to remind me of that. Thanks, guys.
We didn't get much time with them, but we filled it well, I think. The first thing we did was hop on public transport (our dear #6 bus) and go down-town to see Millenium Park and the "Giant Bean", which is actually named "Cloud Gate", I believe. Those in the know know it's really a big bean. We walked through down-town all the way to Navy Pier and my parents loved the beautiful buildings and the river, etc. You know, when you are from the West, you just don't get to see buildings as old and ornate as the ones that are a dime-a-dozen here. Also, my dad's fave all time movie is "The Blues Brothers", so being in "Sweet Home Chicago" for my parents was extra exciting. We quoted the movie as we walked under the El-train (do you spell it "L-train"?), and laughed about our fave scenes while we walked around their town.
Another thing that I loved was that it was really the first time that we had them out to just visit us. Since we lived so close to my sister in California, we always split our family visitors, and usually they would stay with her, since they had a lot more room than we did. I never minded that, but having them all to ourselves did add a new dimension, and I felt that it gave me a chance to learn a little more about my parents and to see them in a new way. It was fun to see their curious, adventurous side.
Anyway, I'm not the only one who loved having my parents around.
Spencer was really excited to show them everything and so as he played "tour guide" he often walked so quickly that he left us all in his dust and we'd have to remind him that they wanted to see what they were walking through (and that I was pushing a double stroller!).
Cadence was the lucky subject in a little bet my parents had going: "dancing shoes" vs. Transformer (in airplane form). The dancing shoes are the little plastic "dress-up" heels that have been around forever. Well, Grandma won. As exciting as a Transformer toy was for Spencer and I, nothing is as exciting for Cadence as shoes. She has worn them EVERY day since. She puts them on and then starts hopping and kicking her feet out and yells for everybody to watch her "awesome moves".
Campbell, too, loved having Grandma and Grandpa around. She got lots of attention and hardly ever got put down. She even woke up extra early and insisted on being cute and friendly (5:00 am), and guess who stayed up with her and kept her company? Grandma and Grandpa, of course.
My dad served his mission in Indiana, and being in Chicago with us was the first time he had been back in the Midwest since. At church on Sunday he was so friendly and introduced himself to everybody he could, especially all the locals. It was really fun to see him jazzed about our multi-cultural ward and to see him soak-in the diversity. To be honest, I didn't expect that. I guess I hadn't expressly thought about what they would do at church, but I kind of thought they would just quietly appreciate it and move on. I don't know. It was fun to see my parents like that. I guess because it was a different atmosphere than I'd ever seen them in, and I hadn't thought of it that way before.

Crossing the bridge on the way to Lake Michigan, with Hyde Park in the background. Hyde Park is where Barack Obama is from, did you know? Yep, his house is just about four blocks from ours, on the same street. Literally. My parents thought that was really amusing. Spence and I are just still sore that the Obama's never brought us banana bread.

What else was great? Everytime I made a meal, my mom was in the kitchen cleaning up as we went. The kitchen stayed clean the whole weekend! (That NEVER happens.) And she just knows how to spend the most quality time with the kids. Mom is the best with Cadence. She hasn't had a child of her own that age in almost 14 years, but she knows immediately how to engage her and keep her happy and busy. It's so relieving to have them give my kids the same love and care that I remember...it's comforting.At the "Idea Factory" in the Museum of Science and Industry.

One more really great thing. The Museum of Science and Industry! We've been waiting for quite a while to show Grandpa the "Farm Tech" exhibit, which showcase a real tractor and a real combine, as well as a myriad of other displays that teach about farming and how technology is used on the farm. Dad grew up on the farm and loves Tractors. Cadence happens to be in love with the tractor, too. So she and Grandpa took the tractor to Utah and saw everybody. Of course that's not all there is to see and do at the museum, and they got to see a few more exhibits before naptime, but we're hoping that someday they'll come back to see the rest!
They flew home Tues. morning, before Cadence got up. She asked for them all day. She had so much fun! We loved having you here with us, Mom and Dad! Thanks again for everything, we can't wait to see you again!

Lake Michigan is only about six blocks away from our place. If you look closely, you can see some of downtown in the background. Most of it is being covered by us.