Chicago!

Bright and early Tuesday morning, I had Mark wake up both the girls and take them to the couch to tell them about their BIG birthday surprises.  Originally, we had told the girls they would need to be about 6 or 7 before we would take them to the American Girl doll store in Chicago, but we changed our minds :)  We decided this would be a great year for both the girls to go pick out their dolls as their birthday gifts from us and their grandparents.  The girls were shocked!  The picture below is blurry but I had to snatch one with Mark telling the girls :)

After dropping Bryce off at daycare for the day, we picked up Grandma Sue and met Grandma Bonnie at our house.  By 7:30, we were off to MI City to get on the train to Chicago. 

Their first train ride!

On our way from the train station to the American Girl doll store, this man was sitting very still on the bench.  Suddenly, he started talking to us.  Alyssa's eyes were huge and she was freaked out.  Grandma was able to convince Alyssa to take a picture with this guy :)  She did later tell me that she might like to live in the city someday.

We are finally here and ready to choose a doll!

Here is Alyssa with her new doll Savannah, or McKenna, or Aleyah...or whatever she changed it to now

And Kaylee with her doll McKenna....or is it Mackenzie today?

The girls showing off their dolls newly pierced ears!  The girls were each able to pick out an additional outfit to take home.

After shopping, we headed to Friday's for lunch...the dolls had their own chair :)

The Grandmas and their girls.  I am so blessed to have all 4 of these wonderful ladies in my life!

A trip to Chicago isn't complete without a visit to the Bean.  We had to ask a few police officers where to find it, but we did.

And this pretty much sums up the end of a long day in Chicago...

What a perfect day we had!  The weather was fabulous and the girls were troopers walking and riding the stroller through Chicago.  It was a long day of traveling, but we all enjoyed ourselves very much.  I am so thankful both my moms were able to come along with me and my girls.  It was great listening to Alyssa say a hundred times how she was going to take such good care of her doll.  I hope this is a trip they don't soon forget!