Oprah & Chicago {warning= long and possibly bad writing, I am trying to do this quickly and on very little sleep}

I know you have all been waiting for my Oprah experience so here it is! I headed to Chicago with Ian and Olivia early Wednesday morning. We were supposed to catch the Amtrak train at 7:45 a.m. but it was an hour late which turned out to be a good thing. The train ride was about four hours long and my kids loved it and were so good. Once we got to Union Station in downtown Chicago we took a taxi (which was my first time and so was the train) we got to our hotel, which was in the perfect location. We then waited another hour for my mother in-law and sister in-laws. Once they got there I was surprised to see Emily because she wasn't originally coming but I am so glad she did! We checked in and walked a block to the John Hancock building, got something to eat, and then went to the restaurant on top of the building not to eat again but to go to the woman's restroom to view the city. Normally you would pay $15.00 to see the city from the observatory but we bypassed that and took the perfect view in from the woman's restroom. After that we took a river architecture/lake Michigan boat tour for 90 minutes and learned a lot while enjoying the city by boat. Drum roll please...now about the Oprah experience. We got up at 5:00 a.m. so we could be ready to head to the studio at six. We were one of the first in line so we got into the building and didn't have to wait outside in the rain. We stood in line inside for a while and then we had to check our purses and coats in where they then gave us a small breakfast snack and had us wait upstairs until 8:00 when they allowed us into the studio. While we were waiting the workers informed us that we were getting a double taping and of course everyone thought maybe it is "favorite things." We then went into the studio and it was much smaller than it appears on T.V. While we were waiting to see Oprah they have a studio crew that gets the audience involved by asking questions and then someone raises their hand, stands up, and a crew member comes over with the microphone so you can answer. The questions they were asking were about forgiveness; if you have forgiven or need to forgive someone. Obviously that was what the topic of the show was going to be. Not long after a very makeup clad, big haired, Oprah walks out and the crowd goes wild. She looked so tired and told us she fell asleep in the make up chair. It defiantly took her a minute to get going, I guess the day before was her big Olympics show outside with 2000 people in attendance so she was worn out and was doing four shows the day we were there. We got to see two and then a different audience was coming in for two more. She didn't interact with the audience very much when she first came out. Then the show got rolling and Lisa Ling was on the set to help cover the story about a family from Sugarland, TX that went out to eat to celebrate the oldest son's college graduation and thirty minutes after they were gunned down as they walked into their home. The wife and younger son died on the scene and the husband and "college grad" son survived. Long story short the husband forgives the killer and writes a book about his story. This man is amazing and you will have to watch the show to understand how amazing he is. (Which I don't know when the show will air they couldn't give us an answer. I will try to find out on her website and let everyone know.) After that show we got a small break while Oprah went and changed clothes. The second show was, guess who, Dr. Oz which I did enjoy. He talked about a the 150 lb tumor lady, the boy who died in the dry drowning accident, and he took a few email and cell phone call questions. He was really cool and fun. That show was dedicated to the last lecture Professor Randy Pausch,who lost his life to pancreatic cancer on July 25th. Then the show ended and Dr. Oz and Oprah walked out and we were soon out in the rain. I wanted to take pictures by the Harpo studios sign but it was pouring rain. Going to Oprah was so so so much fun and I feel lucky that I was able to experience it. After the show Tricia and her three friends from Ohio went and got us one of Oprah's favorite things, Garrett Popcorn, and it was amazing! This post could be the longest ever so I am going to wrap it up. The rest of the trip was walking around and shopping. It was so good to see family and I already miss everyone! I had such a fun time and love, love, love Chicago and can't wait to go back!!!

The Oprah gang! It was so fun to meet three of Tricia's Ohio friends. I hope you made it back to Ohio safely.


Sears Tower


Waiting for the train


What a city!


One little man and all those girls!



I forgot to mention two things: First, Nat & Em are awesome for watching my kids so I could go to Oprah! Thanks girls! Second, thanks everyone for throwing Ian a little surprise birthday party, he still talks about it.