Chicago, Navy Pier

On our drive home we decided to stop in Chicago for a day. It was amazing. Not only was there a lot to do, but the city was stunning.

Our first stop was Navy Pier.

Navy Pier is a 3,300 foot pier that juts out into Lake Michigan. It packed with rides, shops, restaurants, Imax theaters, and museums. We were trying to see Chicago as inexpensively as possible so we didn't ride any of the rides, but we did have fun checking out the shops and enjoying the spectacular view of the city and Lake Michigan.

Chris in the girls at the end of the navy pier.

There was a fun house with lots of funny mirrors. The girls thought that they were hilarious.

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive

The girls investigating a walking stick bug they found.

Off To The Zoo With Ya'

Hallie had a Teacher Prep Day and so we headed to the zoo.

We are so lucky to have a free zoo only 15 minutes away.

Brookie and some of her friends from her ballet class, and Hallie with her friend Ethan. We have been getting together with Ethan and 3 other friends Hallie's age once a week for the past 3 1/2 yearsThe National Zoo has something called a smart enclosure. The ropes are suspended in the air high enough that the orangutans won't climb/jump down. Because of this they are able to climb from building to building across the zoo without a net or cage. It is really cool!

Fishing

There were a ton of fish in the pond in front of the farm house. Chris and I were able to catch our first large mouth bass! Unfortunately Chris released my bass before I was able to get a good look at it (but I am pretty sure mine was bigger) It is still a sore spot in our marriage :)

After several hours of fishing and hanging out by the pond a water moccasin showed up and started swimming straight for myself and the girls, it was pretty CREEPY!

Farm House

When Grandma and Grandpa came out to visit we decided to rent a house for a few days. The house was lovely, and the private property extensive, but to say it had a bug problem would be an understatement. From Dawn to Dusk you could hear a vacuum attacking a "buggly-ugger" in some room in the house. BUT despite all the bug drama we had a really great time, and the organic farm house we stayed at will most likely never be forgotten.

Luray Caverns

We were lucky enough to have Grandma and Grandpa Miller come for a visit. While they were here we decided to visit Luray Caverns. It was amazing! My pictures really do not do this amazing cavern justice (it was really hard to get the lighting right)

This Stalagtite was paper thin and hung just like drapery, it was incredible.

They had a wishing pond there as well. The copper from the pennies turned the water green. It was really pretty.

They also had a Stalagpipe Organ. Each note is made by tapping on stalagtites that are found around the cave. They are hooked to an organ and a speaker so that they are able to make amazing music. They even hold concerts.

Field Trip

Brooklyn had her first real field trip. She was so excited to be able to go on a bus on a field trip just like Hallie. I was excited to be able to tag along.

This is her right before we left.

Brooklyn with some of her friends from school.

We went to a local Pumpkin Patch. Were they had hay rides, slides, rides, and we even got to pick out a pumpkin.

Brooklyns favorite thing by far was the slide. She went down it at least 50 times. After the 2oth time she skipped the burlap bag and slid down on just her little behind. The worker on the top wasn't paying much attention and so the kids went one after another and crashed into each other. It was pretty funny.