The Windy City.

Chicago. The Windy City.

In mid-December every year there is a music conference called Midwest. Musicians around the globe gather in Chicago for performances, development, and camaraderie. And, a few lucky spouses and families get to tag along to enjoy the festivities and all that the city offers. This year, I got to be one of those lucky tagalongs. With the conference falling over our  anniversary, I got to join in the fun. We got to see old friends, watch amazing performers, listen to Wynton Marsalis conduct an open rehearsal, and catch a few of the sights and eats around town.

Giordano's Deep Dish pizza.
The pizza is so thick and delicious
it is hard to eat more than two pieces.
Even though you REALLY want to do so.

The Deep dish pizza in Chicago is so good that we had to have it twice while we were there. After Giordano's one night we went to Lou Malnati's on the suggestion of a native Chicagoan. 

On the afternoon of our anniversary we separated from the group and walked through the park to visit the aquarium. We had a little less than 2 hours until they closed so we just did the first tier of attractions. {Note to self: Museums in Chicago are pricey. At the aquarium alone, the "basics" were about $15 or so apiece. For an extra 10-15 you can see the dolphins, belugas, penguins- you know the "cool" stuff}. However, the scenery didn't disappoint either way. The Chicago skyline is breathtaking.

For dinner that night we went to a place called Nightwood. They serve local and sustainable food and the atmosphere was very "us". We enjoyed what was probably the most deliciously roasted chicken I have ever had in my life. We then topped off the evening by sharing a few beers in the pub at our hotel.

By the Christmas tree in our hotel on our anniversary.

Then, one afternoon while the Hubs was doin' his band director thing - I got to venture out to the Art Institute of Chicago. Oh. My. Word.  I had not idea that it held so many famous originals. Sure, I knew that there would be pieces by world renown artists like Georgia O'Keeffe, Picasso, Monet, etc...but I just didn't realize that some of the most recognizable paintings would be kept here for us to enjoy.

American Gothic by Grant Wood

A little Monet.

Georges Seurat's  Sunday Afternoon on the island of La Grande Jatte

The Chicago skyline from a window in the Institute.

Pablo Picasso's The Old Guitarist

Marc Chagall Window 

Our home for 3 and a half days.

Thank you, Windy City. You were good to us!

It was nice to get away from our daily lives for a bit and enjoy just being Adam and Danielle. I missed our little Bug dearly- but she didn't seem to miss a beat while staying with Ouma and Oupa. She even got to play with Nana some too. What a lucky girl! {Our daily video chats were also a nice way to pass the days until we saw each other again}

She enjoyed some time with others while we did the same. Plus, the reunion was pretty sweet- if I do say so myself.