Even before we checked in to our favorite hotel, we lunched at the Safehouse
Jean and Owen knew the password to get in but the rest of us had to perform a dance to prove we were spies
We sat in "The Cone of Silence"....and it actually moved up and down....what fun!
Daphne had a wonderful mac and cheese The birthday desserts were served on a "briefcase" We all really liked the food....and company!
The boys with dessert....Grandma Kathy with Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 from "Get Smart"....Owen trying the fake bathroom door
There was a scavenger hunt and a picture taking place
Several times we hung out at exhibits for quite a while. This was the first time Jean's nickname is "Cookie" and she found another "Cookie" Erin was "Serpente" (snake) so she put it near Black Mamba. Such a very interesting exhibit
Owen actually got us out of the place by inserting a dollar and following directions....funny exit
Walkabout and Shopping
A cool building that looked liked a big bug crawling up it. The building it was reflected from
Cops on horses....Daphne ready to go in front of green lights....The serious shoppers....Owen....Why yes, Brendan took an upside down picture of himself
Jean's boot....And it was only 20 years old....We all got sad
Jean got some footwear she could wear without flapping all over Chicago
We finally split up.....Kathy and the boys headed to an Irish Store while Jean and the girls headed to Water Tower Place
Right away the boys and I saw a duck in the Chicago River....and Trump Tower....Owen wasn't too happy shopping but was happy with what he bought
The boys and I didn't shop long so we watched a "Chopped" marathon on TV. When the girls stopped by, Owen went out with them again
Dinner was at Vapiano right in our hotel building (Very Good)....Then it was swimming for the children
Sunday
The Orange Juice Incident We had the buffet breakfast in the hotel....Excellent When I walked in, I saw Daphne pouring orange juice and asked her to pour some for me Erin overheard this exchange and ran back to the kids table to report what I said It wasn't Daphne....It was a lady as tall as Daphne with the same colored shirt/jacket The lady said she really didn't know what to do so she poured my orange juice A lot of laughter ensued
The kids found a place to relax while Jean and I finished eating and laughing
Daphne heading to her Birthday Celebration....in the parking garage!
Shades....Aunt Jean....Opening gifts
Loving the gifts
Owen did a great job on garbage duty and Brendan took great pictures....Thanks, Boys
Daphne reaching for the ceiling....Nice group photo with a small view of the venue
The Broadcast Museum with a special exhibit of Saturday Night Live
This is another place we lingered....I have 34 pictures of this obelisk from the group....Owen is photo bombing John in the last picture
Another place to take our time.....Only 21 pictures taken here
It was really fun to check out all the pictures
Wayne's World
The control panel where we watched SNL skits....The Golden Girls....Justin Timberlake and Andy Sandberg in a Christmas skit
Lorne's desk.....Index cards on the bulletin board....Land Shark....Church lady costume
Jeopardy....Costumes....Yoda....Heads
Erin
Daphne
The girls with Trump....Owen with Matt Foley....Brendan
Notes from celebrities....Commercial products
Quick change room....Posing like some family....Cue cards....Wardrobe....The set
Nice floor at the after party (the gift shop)....Brendan got a mug and I got an SNL sweatshirt which Erin wore for the chilly walk back to our hotel....Daphne
On we went to the Broadcast part of the Museum....Watching old Laugh-In episodes
The Bozo Buckets game....Svengoolie...Phineas and Ferb Monopoly game
Erin and Jean present the weather on a very fun set with a real TV camera
Owen sometimes had a problem with the revolving door in the hotel So Grandma Kathy would grab him and shove him through the regular door and he would be grounded from the revolving door for a while. This was one of those times.
We went to Trader Joe's....Our Ginger did not want to buy Ginger Chews....Jean's haul
We ate in Jean's vehicle on the way home and I spilled some junk from Jean's sandwich on my wool coat. Jean spilled something too so we were both a mess I used carpet cleaner to clean my coat and it came out great. No more eating on the road!
