Chicago

For my birthday this year, I decided to take a trip to Chicago to see my good friend from college, Ashley.  I hadn't ever been to Chicago, and just wanted to get away for a long weekend for some fun!

Ashley lives with her boyfriend and a friend of theirs, Jordan, in a sweet condo just off Lakeshore Drive -- complete with some amazing views!  If you go up to the roof of the building - where the pool is - you can see Soldier Field and hear the games going on there!

Sunset on the balcony (that's the edge of Grant Park in the background)

I got in around dinner time (left KC after work), so we just cleaned up and went out for the night.  Ashley's boyfriend just happened to have some of his high school friends in town that weekend, too, so we had some company.

The whole group (minus Jordan - taking the picture)

I don't remember where we  ate dinner, but we ended up at an 'underground' dance party that was seriously just too much fun!!

The roommates --  plus me

The next day was a gorgeous sunny day, so we went for a stroll along Lake Michigan - on Lake Shore Drive.  We walked through Grant Park, stopped at Buckingham Fountain, saw  the Art Museum, Navy Pier, some beach volleyball, etc.  

I was pretty bad about taking pictures (rare for me!), but it was such a great afternoon of seeing all the sights in Chicago!

That afternoon, we decided to do something fun and new:  whirlyball! It's kind of like lacrosse on bumper cars - with alcohol involved.  It was pretty interesting, and we had a blast ramming our cars in to each other trying to ge the ball...which was harder than it looked!

That night we met up with a friend of mine from high school, Brandon, who is living in Chicago now.  We met in China Town and, of course, had some Chinese food!  It was fun to get to catch up with him again!

The weekend I was there also happened to be when the Taste of Chicago event was going on.  So Sunday morning we went down to the park to listen to some live music and try some new foods...

...all that before attending my FIRST soccer game!  We went to the Chicago Fire game. 

 Just for the record, soccer fans are CRAZY!! 

I was actually supposed to leave earlier that day, but I called Southwest and got a later flight so I could stay for the game.  As soon as it was over, it was straight to the airport for me!

All piled in one vehicle...

Ashley really made my first trip to Chi-town a pretty spectacular one.  We had so much fun exploring the city, catching up, and laughing.  

I'll be back for another visit soon, for sure! :)