Anniversary Celebration In Chicago

A few weekends ago we headed off to Chicago for a long fun-filled weekend to celebrate our 3^rd anniversary.  I had seen a while ago that Chicago has an annual Christmas lighting festival and thought it would be a great way to start off the holiday season.  The first day we went to our favorite outlet mall in Aurora and got a head start on our Christmas shopping.  Then off it IKEA for some of my favorite macaroni and cheese meal and browsed for some household items.

Aaron trying on shoes... I married a shoe lover! 

Sitting and waiting while he tries on shoes... story of my life! 

Fun decorations on Michigan Ave

From there, we checked into Hotel 71, a block off Michigan Ave, very nice hotel, I recommend it!  We had an awesome corner room on the 37^th floor with extra windows for great views of the city.

Great view from our  room 

We then headed over to Second City for the comedy show.  Aaron and I love going to this comedy club when we are in Chicago.  After the show we headed back to our hotel and had a late dinner at Hoyt’s Restaurant (in the hotel).   First time at Hoyt’s and I recommend it as well!

Hoyt's yummy cheese plate and macaroni

On Saturday we headed out to beat the crowds for a full day of shopping on Michigan Ave.  After shopping, the hotel had set up a hot chocolate bar, cookies next to an outdoor fireplace, a perfect way to wrap up our shopping.  Then we headed off to the lighting procession parade.  We found the parade disappointing; I wouldn’t go back for that again.  Mainly because the crowds were pretty bad and it was difficult to navigate and didn’t think the parade itself was very impressive.  

Action pic on Michigan Ave 

Aaron's action pic on Michigan Ave 

Fun shoes that caught my eye, but where would I ever wear them to??? 

Decorations at Water Tower Place

Hot Chocolate and cookies! 

Gotta love him for giving me an action pic, lol! 

Chilling with our spiked hot chocolate

After the parade was a fireworks display right on the Michigan Ave bridge.  It was pretty cool to watch the fireworks go off right in the city.  The fireworks made up for the parade.  After the fireworks, we headed over to a bar we were familiar with in the Hyatt, Big Sky.  Awesome bar with a great view of the city.  After enjoying a drink at Big Sky, we headed over to Maggiano’s for dinner.  We’ve been to Maggiano’s before, never disappoints no matter what city you are in.

Cool holograms swirling around on the buildings during the parade

Fireworks! 

Sunday we slept in and hit the road to head over to Oakbrook.  Hit the mall there, had a yummy lunch at The Clubhouse and headed home.

Awesome weekend in Chicago and Happy 3^rd Anniversary to my wonderful husband!