Chicago Holidays: YuKids Island, Royal Buffet, Party City

Woodfield mall's Yu Kid's Island. An indoor playground/jungle gym. Superly-awesomely gym. Cleanest place on earth! Seriously, I'm watching the girls there walking behind the kids wiping the areas ALL THE TIME! The place is spotless. Not a scratch anywhere either! I need to hire these girls to clean our house.

Motorized merry-go-round




Motorized Tumbler

Spinning spiral


I have no idea where all the wind is coming from. The balls are always in motion.


Mountains of crab legs! Huge assortment of hibachi, sushi, and Chinese food. HUGE! With all sorts of desserts too. Royal Buffet

Last day with May, Joe & Ryan. Bon Voyage! [tear] Thanks to Nita/Howard for a great dinner!

Lina's favorite place in Chicago.. the Party City. Isle after isle of useless disposeable colorful crap. But, it's pretty for parties.

Dinner with Governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn

Chicago Holidays: Day #7 & #8: NYE & NY

New Year's Eve:
At Winterfest Wonderland in Navy Pier

Ended the family night with a nice display of fireworks


Last meal at Barnelli's Ribs! My favorite rib joint in the whole world. But, didn't get any Barnelli's ribs... as I missed the closing minute. (by 6 minutes actually)

Technically, I counted down to the new year with a couple rats running by me while I was parked in a dark alleyway.
BUT, started the New Years with my friends!!


New Year's Day:

Fun times at the Safari Land with May+family and Song+family.


Winner






The loot from the ticket grab


Tonights dinner = NOT Barnelli's Ribs! (looking at you, May!)

My old stomping grounds

Chicago Holidays: Day #6: Cheesecake Factory & Evergreen

Sephie getting a heart tattoo from Aunt May

Wild Berry White Chocolate Cheesecake & 30th Anniversary Chocolate Chip Cheesecake & Red Velvet (not pictured)


Dad gets a tattoo

Chicago Holidays: Day #5: Watertower and Carson's

@ Carson's with family and friends, Arianna.

Huge "Kid's Meal"

Pork Chop and 1/2 slab Baby Back Ribs

And the best.. my favourite... Prime Rib with Au Jus and baked potato. Done right!

"Playing the world's smallest violin"

Back at American Girl Avenue

2 hand stuffing face yummy Wow Bao!

John Hancock

Chicago Holidays: Day #4: Shopping and Old friends

Melissa and Eric


Old Orchard to find those elusive boots.

Seems like there's a new tradition.. sleeping through dinner.

the fort

Chicago Holidays: Day #3: DDD

3 Target runs.. and still unsuccessful in finding those boots!


Continuing with our Chicago tradition, we touring the Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. This time it's Vito and Nick's Pizzeria.

Located in a predominated black neighborhood, this restaurant was 99% dominated by Italians... we walked in as the 1% Asians.




Pizza does not look like much. Super thin... a little greasy, but, man ... was it SO GOOD! It may look like you can finish the entire pie yourself, but it was really filling.

Signature Guy poster in the back