ma-wau-kee and chi-caaa-go.

I recently took an amazing, but all too short, trip to Ma-wau-kee and Chi-caaa-go with my mom and sister. I have never felt so "on-the-go" in my life but it made it an intensely exciting adventure with two of my favorite people in the world.

We flew into O'Hare on Friday evening and were swiftly picked up by my "professional driver" Uncle Mike before the security had a chance to beat us for taking too long at the curb. We drove straight to Oconomowoc (that's "O-con-o-mo-walk"), right outside of Milwaukee. We arrived around midnight at "Aunt Nan's" house. After breakfast the next morning we did as any Nelson would do and walked down the beautiful suburbian streets to a few yard sales. (You will quickly begin to learn from reading my blog that "Yard Saleing" is a favorite hobby of mine).

We then went to a quaint little coffee shop in town that put gingersnaps on your coffee lid.

The rest of the day we spent on the lake with quite a few of aunts, uncles, cousins, and cousins-once-removed.

One of my favorite cousins, "Manda," who lives in Chicago, suggested that I take the 5 'o clock train down to spend the evening there (I was leaving out of O'Hare the next day so it worked out perfect). For an excursion that one 26 year-old is taking alone, you wouldn't believe the amount of safety tips that can come from a group of relatives! "Don't talk to strangers" "Call us as soon as you board and then when you get off" And my personal favorite, "Don't talk at all because they will know you're not from here." But it's good to know you're loved :)

I never thought I would get that much joy and excitement traveling by myself!... But it was probably because of where my destination was, and the fact I had a night of fun ahead of me!

Milwaukee

to Chicago.

Manda let me tag along with her and her friends for the evening. We began at Millenium Park where we sat on the lawn, drank wine, and listened to the symphony. I tried not to act like too much of a tourist but I'm sure it was pretty apparent by how many pictures I took of the skyline. (These are only a few)...

We found out after we got to the airport the next day that our flight had been cancelled. Mom, Kristin and I had to spend one more night in Chicago. We got a hotel room and walked to find dinner.

They say everything happens for a reason... maybe our flight was cancelled to allow the three of us more time together... Or maybe it was so I could be on a flight with Kate Voegele the next morning. (No I did NOT go up and talk to her. I was too embarrassed after my mom took a very loud picture of her backside with her camera phone... BUSTED!... It was pretty freakin hilarious though!)