My Letters to Sister Kristina: Chicago!

Nov. 15, 2015

Dear sister Kristina,

Even though you only wrote a few days ago, dad and I have done tons of things. First off, Chicago is really a fun city. It's beautiful and there's so much to do and believe me, we have walked all over. My step counter said over 20,000 steps each day. I loved it.

Sean and Blair's apt is in a cute old suburb of Chicago where there's lots of beautiful old homes, craftsman homes, a fun downtown area, etc. We walked around their area today after church. The weather was gorgeous today, so it was perfect walking weather. We even walked by Frank Lloyd Wright's home.

I loved their ward, very diverse backgrounds, ages, etc. Both Sunday school and relief society were awesome meetings. Then Sean and Blair made tacos for dinner kind of like taco bar used to make. After our walk, we played games and had grilled cheese and tomato soup and ice cream for dinner. It was a perfect day. Dad and I just ride the subway to and from their house. It was so easy. When you go to visit them, I'll go with you. :)

Friday and Saturday we toured all around downtown Chicago. I even braved the top of a 94 story building to see the awesome view of the city. We went at sunset and it was gorgeous. Blair took us through an art museum, we ate at some really fun places and Sean says we had to eat the things that Chicago is famous for: hot dogs and pizza. I was pretty amazed that the hot dogs tasted so good and we went to this out of the way place for dinner to have great pizza.

The shopping was a lot of fun. There's a street called the magnificent mile, and it's actually a mile long, that is full of fun places to shop. I didn't think I'd like that since I'm not a great shopper, but it was great.

Dad and I are staying in a hotel that is right downtown and has a great view, called The Wit. We have one more day here, Monday, then we fly home tomorrow night.

I think the girls have done well. Leah says Eddie is a mess, but I kind of expected that.Ha ha

This Tuesday Leah will be having her surgery where they will take out two screws hoping that it will help her bones heal faster. I really hope it works.

Today in eagle Trevor Patee gave his farewell talk. Brock grieve is also leaving this Wednesday as well as ellery Andrew. Also Tanner yorgason got married over the weekend. That's all the news I can think of.

How was your weekend? I love that you're having a good sized teaching pool. Sean and Blair go out with the missionaries in their ward and help teach and visit the less actives. They love it. Blair has become really close to a couple young girls in one family and they get dropped off each Sunday now so the girls can attend church. One of them sat with us today.

When you get a chance, make sure to write Sean and Blair. They said they haven't heard anything from you personally and they wrote you a while back. Also Kirk and Sarah said they hadn't heard from you and wanted to make sure you got the news about their pregnancy. That's what you get for being part of a big family. :) :) :) so many people to keep in touch with.

I just about forgot to tell you that Mary and Brian had a baby yesterday. They named him George and he was only 4lbs 14 oz. Very small and they had to induce Mary because the baby wasn't growing at the rate they thought he should, so he was born three weeks early. I saw his picture and he looks very cute. Can't wait to see him.

We had a great lesson in RS today about "feed my sheep" and we had such a great discussion about helping keep the sheep in the fold so they never get lost. It was really a motivating lesson and made me want to try harder to be more friendly and welcoming and loving especially to sisters in the ward and always watching out for the one and being a better visiting teacher. You've always been so good at that just naturally!

I'm sending some pics too of our weekend. I hope you've been able to meet with the Samoan family you're teaching and camilo's family.

I love you and love the hard work you're willing to do for the savior. It's very motivating for me.

Have a beautiful week!

Love you very much,

Mom

Xoxoxoxo

Eating at a famous hot Dog place

Under the subway called the"L"

Chicaco skyline from Wendetta architecture boat tour

Sean and Blair's apt

Working on a puzzle