Chicago

This year's oral surgery conference was in the Windy city. Luckily, it was only windy one day we were there. Here's a picture of our hotel room:

View from our window:

City view from Navy Pier:

Ferris wheel. This is as close as I get to one. Once a few years ago, Steve MADE me go on a ferris wheel with him--the big one at Lagoon that is like three times as high (maybe more) than a regular ferris wheel and we had the kids with us and when we got to the top, the ferris wheel paused, and Steve wanted to let the kids spin the cup around, and I totally freaked out and told everyone to stop breathing, and I MEANT it because I am SO scared of heights, and Steve has never made me go on a ferris wheel ever since.

Steve thought this sign was hilarious. I thought the sign should have an age limit, like maybe no one under 18 should be allowed to climb it, because adults should be able to judge whether or not they would be safe climbing the noodle on their own, don't you think? I mean, I might start climbing it and half way up, think to myself, "Whoa, I'd better stop because if I go any higher, I might fall down." I do that all the time when I go to change the sheets on my boys' bunk beds.

The Lego Store.

Cool Lego hangy things all over the place:

Walking downtown:

The Art Institute of Chicago:

A Rembrant:

A tapestry from the 1500's:

I don't know who painted this, but I liked it:

Yeah, this one is famous, too. It drew quite the crowd. (I think I recognize it from the Cosby show.)

Vincent Van Gogh. Oh yeah...

Toulouse Lautrec:

Toulouse Lautrec, too (I love this one):

Monet:

So.

I cannot accurately describe the joy I experienced while dining in Chicago. This is why. Previous to this trip I have always been poor, poor, poor. Financially. And also I can't eat wheat. Which means I can't eat at restaurants very easily. Especially nice ones. But this time--this time--I went to two different restaurants that BOTH catered to gluten-free diets. This one:

A pasta place. Yes, that's right! Pasta! I could pick any sauce I wanted and they put it on a delicious rice pasta.

Steve had regular pasta.

And I had this masterpiece:

Red pepper sauce with proscuitto, shrimp, chicken and asiago cheese. Holy cow, I NEVER thought I'd eat at a regular Italian restaurant ever again. It was soooo good.

Then later we ate at Fogo De Chao. It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. The meat was amazing. The creme brulee was amazing. But best of all were these:

The bread they serve at every table. Naturally gluten-free cheese bread. Wonderful popover like balls of hot crispy-on-the-outside-cheesy-melt-in-your-mouth-soft-on-the-inside little delights. I ate six without even realizing it. I returned to the hotel and immediately googled the recipe. They are made with brazilian tapioca flour and cheese.

Okay, more pictures. The obligatory Lake Michigan pictures:

Us (shadow version):

The end.