Our good friends from Bolivia, the Spies, visited us last week on their way home to Australia. When we were getting ready to leave Bolivia they said they would come to visit us but I didn't quite believe it until it really happened! They are great friends to come all that way to see us! They did get to experience Chicago too and it was a great week to do so. They got in two days after the "Blizzard of 2011" and having never really experienced snow before, two feet was quite the experience for the Spies! It also snowed a bunch of times while they were here which made for a picture perfect wintry Chicago like out of a movie (you know, before the snow starts getting sludgy and brown). And on top of it all, it ended up dipping to below zero temps. which was a new one for them too.

It was so much fun to show them around our favorite places and introduce them to family and friends that we had told them so much about. But the best part of having them here was just to have time together to talk, hang out, see their girls and discuss anything and everything like we used to in Bolivia. And that funny thing happened like it always does with good friends when it doesn't matter how much time has passed because you always pick up like no time has passed at all. We all stayed at Linnea and Cam's (thanks guys!) which worked out great and all the Spies and Johnson girls loved it!

Here are some pics from the week...

On one of the first mornings it was snowing which made Nate really excited. He went outside and came back in saying, "Do you think I could be the one to shovel the snow?" Well, Cam's ears perked right up and he was put to work. You may or may be able to see in the picture but Nate was smiling from ear to ear the whole time.

Here are Daisy and Sonja all bundled up. Sonja and I showed them how to play in the snow...making snow angels and snow men. And later on in the week they were able to go sledding too.

Nate took a lot of pride and care for the two snowmen he built.

And he loved the finished product...and even maintained them throughout the week.

Of course there was lots of tea throughout the week (we'll try to keep it up, Spies)

Poppy and my grandma.

Gwen and Lily were so excited to meet each other and we were hoping that they wouldn't be disappointed by all the build up they had created (Lily had been telling people in Bolivia "I'm going to America to see my friend Gwen!" and Gwen had been telling people "My friend Lily from Bolivia is coming!"). But all the girls got along very well all week and had lots of fun playing together.

Jen, Katie and Kristen, some of our other friends from Bolivia, were able to come hang out too! It was like old times all having dinner together. Thnks for coming guys and we missed all of you that weren't there!

Of course we had to go to Tre Kronor. Looking back on the week, a lot of our activities revolved around food.

Good times at Walker Bros.

Me and Poppy. I love how she snuggles up...so sweet.

Matt getting some pigtail practice on Daisy. And he did pretty good!

Daisy and Lily...looking beautiful as always.

We spent their last day downtown and we were able to hang out most of the day with the Moseys who also came around to see the Spies (you guys are popular).

We went to Gino's East for some pizza where one of their things is having graffiti all over every surface in the restaurant. Look above our heads here...Seattle - Chicago!

Then we went up to the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock for some coffee and hot chocolate.

You can really go right up to the window as Lily is showing here.

And Daisy too.

Contemplating life

Apparently the Spies girls have no fear of heights.

And then we had to send them off with bellies full of Swedish Pancakes...perfect way to end the week.

Then Nathan had to have one final moment with his snowman and Matt.

Thanks for everything, Linnea and Cam!

It was a wonderful week. And although it is always very sad to say goodbye to the Spies, we know it's a "see you later" not really a goodbye. I guess it's our turn now so the next Spies/Johnson extravaganza will either be in Bolivia or Australia. Looking forward to it already!