Chicago: Father's Day

The last day of our Chicago adventure was Father's Day. To mark the occasion, the whole family went to the Grammy and Papa's beautiful chateau on Lake Michigan. Maya was very happy to spend time with three great dads...especially at the beach!

Papa sets up our beach headquarters.

Maya and her daddy. Happy Father's Day!

Grammy and Papa supervise the digging of a large hole.

Here come the cousins!

Alas, the next morning we had to leave bright and early to get back to San Francisco.

"We had a great visit. Hope to see you all soon!"

Chicago: Water + Summer = Fun

Maya had more great times with her cousins at the local 'splash pad,' testing out the Slip 'n Slide at the cousin's house, and riding bikes. Yay summer!

Maya and her cousins explore the fountains and spraying water at the local park's splash pad.

Slip 'n Slide anyone?

Nancy get's ready to slide.

Maya's first bike ride.

Lookin' good little lady.

Chicago: Remembering Grandma Josie

Grandma Josie passed away recently and we decided to visit her grave during our visit. It was very special to spend some time remembering the wonderful person that she was.

Grandma Josie and Grandpa Joe are both buried in a cemetary near Daddy's hometown, Homewood.




Maya looks at Grandpa Joe's gravestone (the flowers on the right are where the Josie's gravestone will be placed).

Maya and Papa.

Chicago: Millennium Park

Mommy and Daddy haven't been to downtown Chicago in about ten years. Sooo...we were very excited about our adventure to Chicago to visit the not-so-new Millennium Park. Completed in 2004, it's a wonderful combination of nature, art, and fun in the heart of the city. A lot of pics to look at, but the day was so great, we couldn't help ourselves.

Waiting for the highly anticipated train.

Shelly and family arrive on the platform.

Sitting with her cousins on the train.

A force to be reckoned with.

In Chicago...hooray!

The amazing super-reflective jellybean shaped sculpture called the Cloud Gate.

Maya and Matthew.

Ryan, Matthew, and Maya.

Enjoying their reflections.

Daddy, Maya, and Mommy.

Frank Gehry's beautiful band shell in Pritzker Pavilion.

We wandered over to the pavilion because we heard classical music playing. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra just happened to be rehearsing on the day that we were there. Delicious.

Ryan and Maya return after watching the orchestra.

Matthew, Nancy, Andrew, and Ryan.

Daddy and Maya in the gardens.

Matthew, Andrew, Shelly, Nancy, and Ryan.

Next stop, Crown Fountain. Water cascades off two large obelisks with a large wading pool in between. Videos of faces play on opposing sides of the two obelisks and every once and a while they spit at each other. Bizarre but awesome!

Maya enjoys fountainy goodness.

Mommy gets splashed by her niece and nephews.


Cutie.

Maya and Daddy.

Train ride home made much more exciting thanks to lollipops.

Inspired by tickle-master, Uncle Mike, Maya finished the day being tickled by...everyone.

Chicago: The Adventure Begins

During Todd's vacation from work, we decided to adventure to Chicago to visit Grammy and Papa, Aunt Shelly, Uncle Mike, and their kids, Matthew, Ryan, Andrew, and Nancy. What fun!

Maya loves riding on airplanes and kicking the seat of the passenger in front of her...lovely.
Maya sees Aunt Shelly and Nancy.
Matthew says hello!
Maya's promptly handed a light saber...there's no getting away from Star Wars in the Vaziri clan.
Maya and Matthew.
Ryan, Andrew, and Maya play with a 26-year-old Endor toy...cool.
Maya tries on a cute dress given to her by Grammy and Papa.