Illinois - Chicago (My Kind of Town)

Although the Winter Classic was in South Bend, we stayed in Chicago. It was the girls' first trip the Windy City and despite the cold, they really enjoyed it. We did a lot of walking on our first day, taking in many touristy sites, and spent another day at the Chicago Field Museum.

Cloud Gate, also known as "The Bean"

Bean selfie, courtesy of Emily.

Willis Tower

Along the Chicago River

Michigan Avenue at Dusk

Nike Store - Emily has the same shoe size as Alex Morgan and is only a few inches shorter.

Mike and Sandra treated us to a delicious dinner, the culmination of which was this insane dessert.

Our second day in Chicago, it poured.

We spent New Year's Eve at the Chicago Field Museum, which was amazing.

At the "Sue" exhibit, the largest T-Rex ever discovered.

So much fog....

We had dinner at Lou Malnati's and the girls experienced Chicago deep dish pizza for the first time.

Indiana - The Winter Classic at Notre Dame

For Christmas, we decided to to give each other an experience rather than tangible gifts. When we heard that the Bruins were playing in the Winter Classic at Notre Dame, it seemed like fate. We used miles for our airline tickets, found a great hotel for a steal and then bought our game tickets. It was a pretty cold day, but not so cold that we were uncomfortable during the game. The Bruins won, which was awesome. But even if they had not, it was just so cool to watch the game with so many people and introduce the girls to Notre Dame.

6am breakfast and we were ready to go, already wearing our team colors!

Train to the car rental pickup.

Outside my old dorm, which is now a men's dorm!

We said a prayer at the Grotto for my mother, always her favorite spot on campus.

Unfortunately, the Basilica was locked but we showed the girls God, Country, Notre Dame.

More than 76,000 in attendance. For a hockey game, the atmosphere was unmatched. Emily is itching to go to a Bruins game in Boston now.

I was hoping to see Brad Marchand, but I sniped Charlie McAvoy who was a lot easier to see because he was hurt.