Morton Arboretum & their Treehouses

A week or so before Thanksgiving we decided to head to the Morton Arboretum and check out the Treehouse exhibit there, among other things.  I'd been one other time and had a really good time.  It's a lot more than your average arboretum.  

Hannah wanted to walk down and check out the water.  The weather was supposed to be much nicer that day, but the sun never came out.  

Hannah led the way to the Treehouse exhibit

None of the houses were in trees, which would have been REALLY neat but there were made out of different trees. 

Each house had a sign in front of it, telling you what kind of tree it was made from, as well as a little bit about the tree.  

Would it surprise you to know that this one was Hannah's favorite? 

This one was my favorite.  

Riley, along for the ride.  

I took a picture of this because Hannah said that this flower looked like a mad face.  And it does! 

Then we went off on a gnome hunt.  There were 13 we had to find.  Each gnome had a clue that led you to the next one.   

Yes, Hannah fell in.  She only got one foot wet.  

Hannah was very nervous crossing this, and it took her a few minutes to get all the way across it.  David went on it with her, in front of her.  It was long, and 3 different levels.  

When she completed it, she was so very proud of herself! 

And then she did another one.  

We found all 13 gnomes, had a cold and breezy lunch and an all around good time.  

Why We Moved

So aside from David's belief that he will be happier doing this job, and WAY better health insurance (which we've decided our family must have) here are some of the other considerations that played a part in our decision to move to Chicago.  

The Ashbury Greenway, and all the other greenways just like this!  

Where I can run for miles......with no babies!

See those poles?  They're perfect for speed training.  Which I need to work on for the 

Chicago Marathon I will run.

Theater

The Museum of Science and Industry

The Shedd Aquarium

Shows!

I can not wait to run down this path.  18 miles total, along Lake Michigan.

In short: culture and experience for ourselves and our kiddo's.  

I was talking to my Sunday School group right before we left.  I told them that I've realized why God brought me back to Fayetteville, for such a short time.  Before we moved back to Fayetteville, I thought I was a small town girl.  I thought I wanted to live in a country/rural setting.  But that's not what I want anymore.  Living in Italy changed me, and so has being a mom.  I get so excited thinking about the things I can offer Hannah and Riley in the way of culture and experience in Chicago..  Don't get me wrong, I would love to retire on 5 acres with lots of animals with a section for a garden.  But right now, I want to take advantage of the things that come with the big city.  I get excited thinking about Broadway, and the shows that David and I can go see.  I get excited thinking about my sister coming to see me in Chicago and taking her around.  I think about being with Josh and Leah in the city. I'm excited about what the future holds.