Monday and I’m back at it! We spent the last week traveling in the mid-west visiting family and friends. Today I’m spending the day catching up on office work, blogging and editing. But of course I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share with you some of my favorite images from the past week! 

Chicago just might be one of my favorite cities. Shh, don’t tell Boston. Well maybe it comes in a close second. There’s just something so intriguing about the Windy City. It’s much larger than Boston in population and size but yet it’s always so friendly and quaint, maintaining a small city feel.  

We started our time in the city visiting Millennium Park. I could hear a wave of beautiful classical music drifting in from somewhere. I thought it could be on a sound system but as I followed the music I discovered the Grant Park Orchestra rehearsing for their evening concert! We stayed for a while letting the music wash over the entire park. It was magical. The concert area of Millennium Park is simply stunning. It’s huge and impressive and a great way to take in a concert!Directly opposite the concert venue is Cloud Gate which my family affectionately refers to as The Bean, but don’t let the artist know. Can you spot my Uncle and I? We thoroughly indulged our touristy side this trip. And while we’ve already enjoyed The Bean and taken our pictures in it’s reflection, we couldn’t help but do it again!Just a short walk down from Millennium Park is the Chicago Art Institute. We didn’t get a chance to go as there was a huge line and we were immediately distracted by the Starbucks across the street;).Next to the Art Institute is a beautiful and secluded garden with amazing views of parts of the skyline.Our next stop was Michigan Avenue also known as the Magnificent Mile. It’s the Newbury Street and 5th Avenue of Chicago. Full of shops that Dave wouldn’t let me go in;).Along Michigan Avenue are a few historic Chicago buildings like the Wrigley Building……and the Tribune Tower. As we checked out the Tower I reveled in my former life as a news photographer for a bit. I watched staffers enter and exit the building pretending, just for a moment, that it was me. Throughout the lobby are inspirational quotes about the importance of the news and good journalism. And I couldn’t agree more! And here is my jokester of an Uncle showing off the famous Chicago pigeons;).And here are a few photos off the trusty iPhone. 1. I may 28 but I still love traveling with family:) 2. My Aunt and Uncle have an amazing luxury van that we get to indulge in when we’re visiting;). Note to self, don’t sit in the way back and watch Aerosmith videos. Car sickness ain’t pretty. 3. My Dad, Dave and Uncle Fuzz joking around. 4. We played a family friendly game of mini golf. The Hammond’s (my Dad, my Aunt and I) against the married into the family (Dave, my Mom and Uncle Fuzz.) They KICKED our behind;).5. You can’t come to the Midwest without indulging in some frozen custard. I may or may not have indulged a few times. 6. Dave playing with our Godson Mason. 7. Besty shopping time! 8. Spending time with old friends is the best:).9. The Chicago Brauhaus did not disappoint. My clothes were much too tight after dinner! 10. The Bean…er…Cloud Gate. 11. Familia! 12. An obligatory couple vacation shot;).Chicago we love you and can’t wait to visit again soon!