I had a work trip to Chicago for meetings with Kraft. I knew their building was right downtown, but I had no idea!
EARLY morning flight where we got to enjoy the sunrise as we took off
The view from the offices - the building is literally on the corner of Michigan Ave and the Chicago river. It's AMAZING!!! I love big cities so much. Kraft has two full floors with 360 views.
View of the Tribune tower.
The lake and the river
Another view
A different view from another side of the building
I took time out from dinner to facetime with my babies.
Blowing kisses to Momma
That night after dinner, one of my employees, Chris, and I walked to the Hancock tower. Look how tall that building is!!
94 floors up! Looking out over Navy Pier
It's a LONG way down to the street
It was such a gorgeous view to look out on this amazing city!
Our hotel was just like 2 blocks away from the office and a few blocks away from Navy Pier so after we visit the Hancock Tower we walked to Navy Pier and caught up with a few more CROSSMARK associates
We enjoyed the fireworks over the lake
Smiley face fireworks! Loved them!
Our fancy hotel had free shoe shine service so I put my shoes out at night and in the morning they were all shiny. Not too shabby!
I absolutely loved being able to walk everywhere. I have always said that I would love to live in a major city where you walk and take public transportation. I think it's awesome. I took advantage of every break to get outside and enjoy a short walk on the river or Michigan avenue or just stared up at the gorgeous architecture.
My soul was so happy to sit and soak up the sounds and sights of downtown.
This is the building with Kraft offices. Not architecturally exciting but sure cool inside and again, with an amazing location.
Made it down to the river. I was able to get a lot done in a 20-30 min break!
One day I want to take one of those tour boats up the river.
My kids were doing great without me...(her drool is non-stop!!!)
For dinner the second night we were going out for true Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. Here's how far the place was from our hotel. I decided to venture even further away first since we had a couple hours before dinner. I wanted to "see" Chicago!! (I have been here MANY times for work before but never have taken the time to do any of the tourist things other than the one time I went to see Wicked during a snow storm.)
First I went to Millennium Park to see the bean.
After that I walked to the Art Institute of Chicago. I figured I only had about an hour before I needed to walk to dinner. Luckily the museum had a guide with suggestions of highlights to see with an hours worth of time.
It ended up being the best one hour I've had in a long time. I had no idea that this museum held so many beautiful works of art that I had studied in school. I kept pinching myself to be seeing them in person!!!
Nighthawks by Hopper
American Gothic by Grant Wood
Monet's Haystacks
Monet's Water Lily Pond
Money is my absolute favorite painter. I really love his paintings, his style, the color, the beauty, etc. I could stare at them for hours.
Up close - - It's just amazing to me when you look closely how the painting comes together. It was so impressive to me to be able to see his actual strokes, the way he had painted the canvas. I've looked at these paintings in books, textbooks, and online but to be this close and get to see the texture was indescribable. I've having a hard time even thinking of the words to fit this experience.
That's me! Right there! Inches away from this gorgeous painting!!!!
Panorama of this room. It was all Monet. Every wall was Monet. My soul was singing and it left me speechless. I felt like my face must have been emanating my joy and wonder. I hated to leave but there were a few more things I wanted to see.
Yellow Dancers by Degas
Vincent Van Gogh - The Bedroom
Van Gogh's self portrait
Another Monet. I had never seen this one before but I instantly loved it.
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat
We studied this painting a lot in my classes at BYU. It's just amazing. It was HUGE! I had no idea when we were studying it that the painting was so large
A little about the painting
The entire painting is just dots and small brush strokes
Another Monet
Another version of A Sunday on la Grande Jatte
My favorite style of art - Impressionism. No wonder I loved my visit so much, they had so so so so many amazing works of Impressionistic Art.
I am soooooo glad I decided to check out the museum
My deep dish pizza. (I prefer thin crust or regular pizza)
Facetiming with my family before they went to bed. Peter's a lucky guy, 'eh?
I walked back from the restaurant with part of our group. I then went out on the terrace of the hotel and enjoyed looking at the city
Here's my fitbit stats from the day - - - WOW!!! I walked over 9 miles! AWESOME! My feet were super sore though.
Final meal with this view - what a way to eat breakfast!
Goodbye Chicago. Thank you for a wonderful 3 days. I got the chance to reconnect to parts of me that haven't been fed for years. I am going to have to come back with my family next time.
