Chicago & Da Bears

I started my Midwest adventure in the Chicago area with my "twin sister" Carmen and her family. I haven't seen her little girl Eren since she was barely even a toddler. Now she is three. But she can still pick her "Aunt Nan" out in photos. It was time to get out there so we could see each other in person. Since I got in so late on Friday night they told her I would be there in the morning so she would sleep. I got to spend some time catching up with Carmen and Erik.

Saturday was a great day. The Bergmans live on a lake and have a gorgeous deck that looks over the yard and lake. We sat outside for breakfast and enjoyed the day. The local Heron came and hung out on their dock for a bit, which was cool to see. Eren showed me her princess tent and some of her other toys. She has her own jump house. I missed out as a kid. Then she went off to play in her room while I hung out with Carmen. Later after lunch we turned on the grill and roasted marshmallows so I could teach her a new way to make s'mores. Instead of graham crackers and chocolate bars you use Girl Scout Thin Mints. My mom came up with this idea and it is fabulous. Eren seemed to enjoy her new version of s'mores.

Eren & Me with our Thin Mint s'mores.

Later that afternoon we took the train into Chicago to see the Bear's game. Eren was so excited to be on the train and going to the game. At 3 years old this was her first game and she is a big fan. She knows the player names better than I do. The whole way in to town she was so excited. Since we got in early we stopped on Michigan Ave. for dinner and then walked over to the Bean to take pictures. Then it was time to head for the stadium. I have only ever been to Soldier Field for soccer games. This was my first Bear's game too.

The girls on the train to Chicago.

I grew up as a Bear's fan but have not been following them as closely in recent years. I am much more of a Colt's fan now. The Bears were playing the Cardinals. So it was a fun game to just enjoy and not worry too much about the outcome. Which is good since the Bears were not winning. In fact they didn't even score until we had to leave in the 3rd Qtr to get one of the early trains back home. It was still a fun night. We had some great seats with a perfect view. And we got to see the starters play a big portion of the game. I also enjoyed watching the Bears sack Leinart a few times. What can I say, I'm easily entertained.

Me, Eren, Carmen at the Bears game.

The train ride home was entertaining. Eren was completely hyper and bouncing. The rest of us were ready for bed. To keep her entertained Carmen pulled out a book of Dora the Explorer stickers. At first Eren put one on each of us and then tons on herself. Then it became more fun to stick them on me instead. So I had tons of stickers running up and down one arm. We didn't reach our stop until midnight and she was still going strong at that point. It was a long but fun day.

Sunday I enjoyed some time on their back porch by the lake before heading to Michigan. I made it to Grand Haven shortly after lunch time to see some close family friends. I love the fact that I have the opportunity to see Macky and Nan and Katie B. Macky is like a grandmother to me and my siblings and Nan has always been my other mom ever since I was a toddler. Macky tells everyone the story about meeting me. The first time she met me I was just a toddler and she was visiting Nan who lived next door to us. I walked right up to Macky and put out my arms to be picked up. We've been family ever since. When I was little I used to wait for Nan to come home from work. I actually remember sitting on the little hill in our front yard watching for her car. My mom would pack my lunch box and I'd go have dinner at Nan's house. Later after Nan had Katie our families would get together for weekends in Chicago. Katie would get upset that I was sitting on her mom's lap. One time my mom turned me around and pointed to my backside and said see that footprint? That's where I kicked Nancye out the door to your mom's house each evening. So your mom is like her mom. And ever since then I like to think that Katie B and I have been more like sisters, even if I do not see her as much. And she is certainly my mom's favorite now that she is attending graduate school at Notre Dame. Mom never could get any of us Rahn kids to go there despite her best wishes. After my time in Michigan I'll be heading down to South Bend to see Katie. (And pick up Notre Dame items for my niece. I think mom has already started a college fund for Trinity it case she wants to go to Notre Dame.)