It's Officially Christmas...In Chicago

Every year in Chicago, the Christmas season officially begins with the tradition of lighting Michigan Avenue, otherwise known as The Magnificent Mile. This event is known as the Festival Of Lights and this year we went with our friends Josh, Jen and Jalese. Knowing the girls would enjoy it because of all the pretty lights, we knew they would enjoy it even more when we found out that their good friend Mickey Mouse was going to lead the parade! Several days before we went to the Festival of Lights Karina was at the computer with me while I was looking at the schedule for the festival and she asked what it was so I explained to her that we would be going on the train to see Mickey. So every day, several times a day she would ask me with a really excited voice...mommy we going on the train and see Mickey today??!! And I'd sadly have to tell her...no not yet, a few more days. And every time we'd hear the train...mommy we going on the train today to see Mickey!! So next time, we'll tell her the day of. :)

So we started our exciting Christmas welcoming day by boarding the Metra and headed for downtown...the girls loved the train and thought they were big stuff. Then we stopped at one of the plazas to see The Cheetah Girls perform...well a certain pair of guys who shall remain nameless watched them perform while Jen and I went ahead to the Rainforest Cafe to put our names in. (Okay, they only stayed for 1 song) So yes, we took the girls to Rainforest Cafe and they were intreagued by the jungle animals, except for the person dressed in a Tree Frog costume, Karina was sooooo not into that!

And then we braved the cold...oh was it cold! But just for the sheer joy of seeing the girls' faces when Mickey came into sight standing atop his castle was worth standing in the cold and being pushed and prodded for 3 hours!

Here's some pics of the day.