Michael And The Marathon

My twin brother, Michael, was going to be running the Chicago Marathon this year (his 4th marathon race) and I promised him I would go to the city to watch him in the race. I was really excited to see him run it since I've never been around to see him during the past three. Liz decided to come along as well so we planned a couple of days to stay in Chicago and Plainfield (where I grew up) before the actual day of the marathon, which means there's a good chance of me taking a ton of pictures. Well, you're right…there are a ton of pictures. Oh, and videos. VIDEOS!!!!! I hope you enjoy this epic blog!






Liz and I made it to the airport and are ready to say goodbye to Orlando for a fews days.






I also had to say goodbye to a giant Harry Potter.






Then we stole a hog to hightail it out of fake Hogwarts.






We took a pitstop along the way and Liz caught up with Snow White.






We're on the plane and Liz looks funny!






Here we are looking less funny…hopefully.






We made it to Chicago!






We took "L" Train up to my friend Holly's place. Liz kept a good eye on me during the entire ride.






The next morning we left Holly's place and waited for the train again. This time Liz didn't keep a close eye on me, which can only mean she is finally beginning to trust me.






Liz wasn't sure if we were in Chicago anymore after getting off the train, but when we went upstairs and saw this sign everything was fine.






Now that we definitely knew we were in Chicago Liz held on tight because she was afraid of strangers.






The Willis Tower, formerly known as The Sears Tower.






We're gonna go up in this thing.






We arrived in the lobby and it took us forever to find out which floor to get off on. Can you find Liz?!






I'm not as good at the game…but at least I tried!






Liz is being enveloped by the lobby darkness, but she still welcomes me to ICONIC CHICAGO.






Liz thought she found where we needed to go…..






…..she wasn't so impressed by the tower.






I found a different tower and was clearly much more impressive.






We finally took the elevator up 103 floors and saw the view. Liz was impressed!






I used to live in that area. It seemed like it was so much bigger when I younger!






Not only did way pay to see the city skyline from above, but we paid to see the city skyline with streaks of dirt!






There…that's better.






Another view.






And another.






Liz took the risk and tried out THE LEDGE!






Then I stepped onto THE LEDGE with her.






I thought it was really scary…..






…..but it didn't take long for me to get used to it.






Liz keeps her balance while I make my way out to join her.






It was a good thing for me to be next to Liz because it gave her something to hold on to while the building swayed slightly to the right.






It's not easy to keep your balance inside such a tall building in the Windy City.






Liz was preparing herself to be launched out of THE LEDGE at any moment and wanted to fly in style.






It turned out that wasn't going to happen at any point so she sat down and took a load off.






It was a fun time and a great view!






But it was time to go back down in a really fast elevator.






A couple of minutes ago we were all the way up there!






I told Liz how this sculpture always reminded me of Ferris Bueller's Day Off because you can see it a couple times in the parade scene, so naturally Liz decides to start up her own parade.






Liz was excited to find dying leaves!






They're good for making a nice coupley picture.






We stopped by one of the main buildings I used to go to school. That place always smelled like motion picture film!






Liz enjoyed seeing Lake Michigan, but was okay without jumping in for a swim.






Wup up, Chi-Town.






I looked away for a split second and I lost Liz. She's a pro at hiding!






We were walking along Lake Shore Drive and noticed the road was eerily quiet with a significant amount of police officers.






It turned out the President was in town.






And there he goes.






We headed over to Navy Pier to go up in this thing.






Up we go!






Liz looks happy from the outside, but on the inside she's sad to be caged in like an animal.






A view from the right.






A view from the left.






Down we go!






Liz takes one more peek.






Nighttime came quickly out on the pier.






The Future McDonald's is powered by the chaotic electrical fields piped through all of their deep friers.






I found the motherload. SUCH POWER!!!!!






We was a good time at the major tourist trap.






It would have been a perfect night for me if I hadn't gotten smashed by a giant macaroni, but I guess I can't have everything go my way.






Although our time at the pier actually did end well when Liz and I had a conversation with a nice man frozen in carbonite. He was in good spirits regardless of his circumstances.






Liz clearly had a good day in Chicago.






We met up with my old college friend, Holly, and her boyfriend, Brian, for a fancy dinner surrounded by trinkets.






Liz was happy to meet Elvis.






But then both of us were excited to meet Super Mario.






And then everyone was excited to meet Betty Boop...except for Liz.






The next morning we stumbled upon the Field Museum so we decided to check it out and find Sue.....






.....but we almost didn't go in because Liz is deathly afraid of huge dinosaur banners.






As far as real dinosaurs go.....






.....she was doing okay.






But she calmed down when she was next to me, which doesn't make any sense to me at all!






Liz was very welcoming to guests as they entered into The Ancient Americas exhibit.






She liked to point at places of Mexico she has visited.






She also liked to point at pyramids she has been to. In this case it was The Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico.






I liked to point out my vast collection of audio cassette tapes in my sweet ride.






We walked upstairs and found Sue's real head!






She needs to get her nose checked out.






Sue's head was not attached to her body because it weighs about 600 pounds and it's easier to throw it into a glass box.






HEAD SHOT!!!!! Ooohhh...I couldn't resist.






Liz liked the stained glass window in the Grainger Hall of Gems.....






.....and she also liked the big gems.






BLING!!!!!






It was a fun day at the museum!






Later on we headed up towards the Magnificent Mile where I had the honor of meeting a Lego legend.






Liz was super impressed with the bucket drumming kids on the street and gave them a tip.

Those bucket drummers are loud!






Lunch time!






Holly joined us and splurged for some ketchup and water.






She doesn't want to show it, but Holly definitely misses my constant picture snapping.






We saw the bean!






I gawked at the bean!






Liz and I loved this thing!






Not only does the bean reflect a slightly warped image, but it also provides shade.

We probably could have shot a video of this all day.






I thought being crushed by a giant macaroni was unpleasant, but the bean managed to prove me wrong.






The bean also proved my manliness as I was willing to take a phone call even while being squashed.






Immediately after the phone call I responded to the ever growing pain!






Liz demonstrates how to be flattened by a giant object and continue to stay calm. I swear it's not as easy as it looks!






We all had an amazing time at the bean.






If you stand directly underneath the bean you could possibly be transported into another dimension.






Liz demonstrates what it might look like to be sucked into another dimension if she were to stand underneath the bean.






The bean was THIS much fun!






But not as much fun as meeting Megamind!

It's not every day you get a chance to boogie down with Megamind.






The concert venue was kind of neat to see.






Super exciting!






We did enough dilly-dallying and were on a quest to find my part of my family.






We haven't seen anyone just yet, but Liz found a giant lion so that counts for something!






Liz was brave to have her back turned from a lion. Even if it was made of stone.






We found part of my family! Michael and my mother to be exact.






My mom gave us all the shrug after playing her free marathon kazoo.






It was great to see her again.....





.....and let's not forget Michael.






My mom and Michael ran a quick marathon earlier in the afternoon and finished strong. She couldn't help but to show it off to everyone walking by.






We had dinner with some friends from college and high school.






It was a miracle no one broke out into a fight! Afterwards, Michael and my mom went back to Plainfield while Liz and I were going to spend one more night in Chicago.






Later that night we went back to Holly and Megan's place. Liz and I brought gifts for them, which Megan was completely surprised about receiving candles.






And Holly was especially surprised to get a stuffed manatee. This now tallies up to two stuffed manatees for her.






Megan was going to bed so she gave everyone a thumbs up before heading into her room for the night.






The next morning we headed over to Union Station and go on a little train ride.






It's off to Plainfield, Illinois!






It was a stupendous excursion on the train. I may just have to crop myself out of this and send the picture to Metra for their next ad campaign.






We made it back to my parents' place in Plainfield. Michael and my mom were outside looking confused. Just like in the old days.






Michael was happy to see me again.






We didn't know what to do…..






…..then we decided to go on a walk!






A walk in the woods!






There's a trail that pretty much begins right in the backyard.






My mom wasn't a huge fan of the woods.

My mom makes it down into "The Pit!"






Liz enjoyed it though!






Me and the folks.






Michael decided to go on another walk…..






…..I tagged along with him!






And so did Liz! She also liked this tree!






Michael's eyes take the midwest sunshine beatdown.






Liz and I learned from his lesson and found somewhat of a shady spot.






Michael was still on the lookout for some shade for his face.






It's always fun on a bridge!






Liz looks out for gators, but she's a long ways away from any creature like that.






Things were getting a little awkward with all the silence…..






…..until Michael chose to break the ice by telling knock, knock jokes.






Back on the bridge where it's always fun.






My parents spotted us and made is pile into the car…..






…..and punished us with a treat to some fancy Italian restaurant food.






Later that night my old friend Chad stopped by to visit and gave us his signature thumbs up.






Michael packs his bag as he heads out to Chicago the night before the marathon.






Chad and I say goodbye to Michael as he leaves the house.






Now that Michael is gone the only thing left to do is for Liz to give us her signature peace sign.






Chad did not approve of such signature hand gesture and started a fight…..






…..while I sat in the corner with no one to fight with all night.






So long, Chad!






The next morning we were set to go and Liz gave my mom a gift. It was a fancy candle with matching matches!






Okay…time to go!






We arrived in Chicago and met up with Michael and Holly just in time before the race.






Me and my bro…and the creepy Metra sign.






Michael receives instructions from my mother to run fast.






She's got the cowbell ready to go!









The race has just begun!







And Michael is somewhere in there.






We're on the lookout for Michael…..






…..still on the lookout…..






…..still on the lookout…..






My mom received her first text on Michael's status in the race and apparently he crossed the starting line about 30 minutes ago.






Me and my mom wait patiently for Michael to hit the halfway point.






Holly is also excited.






And guess what? So is my dad.






The police lead the way. They are kind of cheating with their motorcycles, but nobody says anything to them.






The first cluster of runners make their way down the course.






The runners go right pass the Willis Tower.






My mom keeps a sharp eye out for Michael.

Michael running by at the halfway point!






We hopped on the train in an attempt to find Michael on the south side of town.






Holly and I could barely hold in our excitement.






Next stop, Chinatown.






My mom is happy with her spot to cheer from on the curb.






My mom waits patiently in the shadows…..






…..and then cheered some runners on with her fancy bell.






My dad kept an eye out for Michael in style.






Liz also kept an eye out and waved to the camera in style.






The runners kept passing through.

Michael runs through Chinatown!






It was great to see Michael run by again! Now it's time to head back to the finish line!






But along the way we found my younger brother!






Scott knows how to just be keepin' it real.






Michael finished the race!






And he ate whatever he could find.






Michael is ready to go.






He looks pretty good for running 26.2 miles.






Michael tries to explain to Holly why he would put himself through such misery.






Scott continues to not say a word and look cool.






I attempt to do the same, but Scott just ashamedly thinks to himself that there is no hope for me.






Michael and Holly also join Scott by hitting me up with the shameface.






Scott chillaxes for a bit in the parking lot…..






…..and finally cracks a smile because of the absurdity of me taking way too many pictures.






Again, I'm taking way too many pictures…but if I wasn't in the shot this would have been perfect for Scott's upcoming rap album.






It's time to go get some grub.






Scott and Liz catch up a bit…..






…while Michael catches up with me about how he would beat me in a marathon.






Liz and Holly wait patiently for the grub.






Michael and I were certainly excited for the grub.






Scott wasn't too sure about the grub.






GRUB!!!!!






After the grub we made our way over to find the boat tours.






Twin buildings!






Liz was excited to see the architecture of Chicago!






We're on the boat and ready to go!






My mom is clearly ready for this.






And Michael is definitely ready.






Cruisin' through the Chicago River.






Michael didn't see this building in time before we floated by it at a leisurely pace.






My parents enjoyed the tour.






Scott probably didn't. Or maybe he did…I couldn't tell.






Michael unquestionably loved it!






The Willis Tower! Complete with Skydeck ledges!






Liz and I took a break from looking up at the buildings by looking down at the camera.






However, Michael's neck was stuck and needed to be readjusted.






My mom continues to laugh at the tour guide's cheesy jokes.






I couldn't tell if Scott was sleeping. Again…I couldn't tell.






Michael asked politely when the tour was going to be over.






It's the Trump International Hotel & Tower! Plus Michael's head!






Liz likes the boat ride.






Michael doesn't like the boat ride.






This time I could definitely tell Scott liked the boat ride.






Chicago from afar.






One more picture of the folks with the city before we head back in.






Hooray for boats and tours!






Everyone is now full of knowledge of Chicago Architecture.






Scott is ready to leave us while Michael, Liz and myself need to drive over to the airport.






Family shot on the mean streets of Chi-Town.






And don't forget Liz! She was also on the mean streets of Chi-Town.






And don't forget about the latest and greatest for neighborhood watch programs in Chi-Town.






Liz asks Michael what he plans to do now since he's finished his fourth marathon. He hasn't thought that far yet.






My parents dropped us all off at the airport and now it's time to say goodbye.






Liz is excited to fly in style!






Time to head back home to Orlando.






We're back! That was fast.






And look who picked us up…it's our good pal JAVAN!!!!!






We're back at Liz's place to drop her off. It was a fun trip…and now it's time for some sleep.





The End!