Thanksgiving 2011 Part V - Downtown Chicago

The LaFasto family has a special tradition that every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, everyone goes downtown to look at the fancy window displays in the Marshall Fields and Co. store (which is now a Macy's and horribly commercialized, but that is a sore spot we don't like to talk about!) Everyone walks around the building, then they go inside to see the tree, and then wait in line for Santa. Afterward, they drive to eat at Food Life Cafe, which is this humongous cafeteria-style restaurant with booths for any kind of food you can think of. You get a credit card at the beginning, then go around and order food from anywhere and everywhere, they put it on your card, and you pay at the end. Genius!!! And delicious. After dinner, everyone goes to Macy's and picks out something for their Christmas present. I felt very fortunate to be a part of these amazing and generous traditions this year!

The trumpets decorating the awning. So pretty!

Tracy and me

Sarah, Tracy and Me

Grandma and Dresden looking at the window displays

The theme was sort of a time/gears/marionettes theme. Is that really a theme? Unfortunately, most of the windows were just selling products, whereas before, Marshall Fields just used the windows to tell a story or create pretty images. It is sad to see so many things become marketing tools. Can't anything stay the same?!

Laura and Me, twinkies!

Buskers drumming on the street. They were awesome!

Grandpa and Grandma leading Dresden toward Santa

The big tree in the center of the store. It was really pretty up close.

Bored while waiting in the Santa line. Hi!

Dresden in line for Santa!

They had this camera that projected onto this television. Dresden couldn't see himself, but it was really cute because he kept getting close to the lens not realizing it. Hehe.

No tears with Santa, but he refused to sit on his lap by himself. That's okay, I don't blame him. I didn't sit on Santa's lap by myself until I was about six; I did NOT like Santa!

It was a fun, chilly, busy night downtown! I am a huge fan of traditions, so this was right up my ally. It makes me excited to create our own Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions as the years go by. Great, great memories!

Love,

Cassie