Navy Pier in Chicago

New Years eve we decided to take the kids down to the Navy Pier in Chicago to check out Winter Wonderfest. Our cousins in Chicago recommended it after going last year. It sounded like a fun time so Marcia, Leslie, Shannon, the kids, and I took the train into downtown Chicago. From there we caught the trolley over to the Navy Pier.

The Pier itself was quite the place, the size of it was quite surprising. Over all the place was great and we would love to check it out again in the future. Winter Wonderfest was setup near the end of the pier in a large exhibition hall. The place itself was incredible with its decorations and lighting. It had a very magical feel to it.

All around the hall they had rides and toys for the kids. There where large number of inflatable toys along with an ice rink, ferris wheel, train ride, etc etc. The kids had a ball playing and before we knew it a few hours had passed and we found ourselves rushing to catch our train back to our cousin's house.

It was a great time had by all and I definitely look forward to checking it out next year. Here is the slide show...

The Chicago Black Hawks

Chris surprised me this year with NHL tickets for my Xmas present. With a little help from our cousins down in Chicago, watching the kids, we were able to spend the evening watching some great hockey. It was an outstanding game, the Kings and the Hawks were pretty evenly matched. The sold out stadium was predominately rooting for the Hawks, and Chris and I were secretly rooting for a tied game ultimately causing over time and maybe even a shootout. Unfortunately we didn't see a shootout, but the game did go into over time with the Kings finally winning in the four on four sudden death 5 minute overtime.

Chris and I have watched many college games since we moved down to the Madison area, and they play good hockey. So I thought the pro's game would be about the same level, but I was pleasantly surprised. During the first five minutes of their warm ups I was already amazed talent of the players. The fluidity of their movement was wonderful, it was like the old saying "they make it look easy." The shots were fast, and the goalies made amazing saves. It was a great evening and a wonderful experience to be able to watch this level of hockey live. TV just doesn't do pro hockey justice.