Big city. Big birthday.

This past Saturday meant turning the big 6-0 for dad. He's been dreading this birthday for months, so we decided that the best way to celebrate was a little surprise getaway to Chicago. Craig and I "accidentally" ran into mom and dad on Friday afternoon at Fox and Obel, our favorite little gourmet market/cafe that we discovered when we were out there for the Chicago Marathon in 2005. Dad wasn't all that surprised to find us there, but he played along like a good sport. After a little shopping in the chocolate aisle, we headed around the corner to catch a boat tour of Chicago architecture. Interesting history. Cool buildings. Warm Starbucks goodies. I recommend it. Later that night, Erin, Scott and Kailey happened to be "in the neighborhood" and showed up at the hotel. Again, not a big surprise to dad, but I was relieved to have the truth out. The party could go on.

And on it did. How many 60-year-olds can say they spent their birthday at American Girl? Not many, I would imagine. That experience merits its own blog post for another time. But we also made it to the Shedd Aquarium, caught a 4-D movie (imagine 3-D visuals with water squirting you from the front and air blowing up on your neck from behind) and ate dinner with famous Chicago gangsters -- or at least photos of them.

Happy 60th Birthday, dad!

-Carrie