Chicago!

Thanksgiving was my mom's holiday. 

Every year for as long as I can remember, she was the hostess. 

That meant all the extended family. 

Some years I think she had around 50-55 people in her home. 

She loved it. 

She loved that the sole purpose for the holiday is to give thanks. 

To count blessings. 

Thanksgiving is my mom. 

We all knew that this Thanksgiving would be incredibly hard. 

If I tried to picture myself in front of a turkey at a fancy table, I was in tears. 

I knew there was no way I could attempt a traditional Thanksgiving. 

So this past summer some of my brothers and I were talking and we decided to do something completely 'un-Thanksgiving' this year. 

And so my family and 3 of my brothers and their families met in Chicago for the long weekend. 

It was only missing my other brothers and of course mom and dad. 

But truly, it was perfect. 

It was exactly as I had imagined it would be. 

I wouldn't change a minute. 

We started Wednesday night in Shaumburg with Nick, Stacie and Jordan. 

The adults stayed up too late and I believe we may have even had foot races in the hotel hallways? 

We are nothing if not competitive. 

Early the next morning my family of 7 woke to race into the city to meet Robert, Jen and Keriann (Jen's sister and honorary Earle) at the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Picture the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and you are imagining right! The first thing we saw before even getting to the parade route was this sight...

I thought it was so cool to see the trailers that carried the Clydesdales. 

Im not sure everyone thought this was as great as I did...seeings how the horses themselves were not there...but were in the parade. 

Unfortunately its as busy as you would imagine and the kids could not see.

Avery trying to get a boost from Lauren so she could see.  

 We were so lucky though, thanks Keriann we ended on the balcony of her work, right on the parade route with a perfect view, access to clean bathrooms and warmth!!! 

Perfect view!

Jen (and baby), Robert and Keriann

Seriously, what's more fun than a huge inflatable Taz? 

My crew. 

So blessed.

Again. 

Me and my love. 

In my favorite city. 

Perfect. 

The parade watching gang. 

After the parade we walked around the city, slowly making our way to the hotel to meet Nick, Stacie and Jordan. We just took in the city...

Keriann was kind of a big hit with my girls...and she was so good to go along with it. 

And this was a group of huggers. 

Yes, they just went around with signs offering free hugs...

I dont think they stole anything from us....???

We ended up all meeting at Harry Carry's for lunch. It was completely un-Thanksgiving and therefore perfect. After checking into our hotel and having a little rest we went out for Chicago-style pizza at 'Pizzeria Due' or 'Pizzeria Past-Due' as Robert called it...we waited FOREVER even though we had reservations. A very non-traditional day full of fun and lots of memories. 

Oh Harry Carry. 

Everyone is very excited that Jen will soon be having that baby!!!

Tori wanted to say hi to her while we waited for our pizza. 

Friday morning Robert was good enough to take the kids swimming and some of the rest of us decided to check out Black Friday Shopping on Michigan Avenue. 

After shopping it was time for the much anticipated Thanksgiving game in the park. 

The game had been talked about for weeks. 

And Sullivan was thinking about nothing else the entire trip. 

But first we had to take in the Bean. 

All of us...minus Stacie who was taking the picture. 

Feeling so thankful. 

Sisters at the Bean!!!

Dad and his boy...ready for some football. 

 Then we started the game...and I believe we had an audience for at least part of it. 

And a lot of people who wished they'd thought to bring a football to the park! 

The players who held out the longest. 

Football pose. 

Friday evening Robert, Jordan and my husband Jordan and I took all the kids to the Lincoln Park Zoo to their lighted walk. The kids even got to experience their first cab rides...although I don't think they were too thrilled with it. 

The lights were pretty magnificent. 

Friday night was the adults night out. 

It ended with me and my brothers all smooshed together on a couch in one of the hotel rooms...talking about mom and dad, our childhood, crying, singing and laughing. 

It was my favorite part of the weekend. 

It was the part I was hoping would happen but I knew could not be forced. 

I am so thankful that we talk about our parents openly and often. 

Im so happy that we arent afraid to bring them up...I dont think I could handle it. 

Im so thankful that our childhood was filled with so much laughter and love. 

My six brothers and I are truly the luckiest siblings in the world. 

Yes, we lost our parents way way too soon. 

But they taught us what family is. How to love each other and how to remember what we've shared. 

Saturday morning after breakfast Nick, Stacie and Jordan headed for home while Jen and Keriann went for some sister time. That left Robert with us and to hit the Museum of Science and Industry. 

We had a lot of fun but honestly the place was SO big and full of SO many people...it was just more chaotic than fun. And even with 3 adults for 5 kids...we managed to lose one for awhile.  

But we all had fun admiring baby chicks who had JUST hatched. 

And we had lots of fun in the gift shop! 

How adorable is she in these glasses? 

Us, minus Contessa whose hiding behind me. 

It was a weekend we will not soon forget. 

And I'd like to do it again, about every 6 months for the rest of my life. 

Sound good boys? 

Good!