Ralphing in a Winter Wonderland

I took Tuesday off work to spend time with half of my family (ok 3/5 of the family). We went to Navy Pier's self-proclaimed Winter Wonderland to gorge the little monkey man on as many bouncy, jumpy, slidey things as he could handle. Going on a weekday was a thousand times better than going on a December weekend (like we did last year). We rarely had to wait in line for anything and Brandon was allowed to go craaaaaaaaazy. I let Ann talk me into going on the only big kid/adult motion ride there (said ride in action below).

Even though I have a history of motion sickness (even the swingset can make me queasy), I hate feeling like an old person and so I decided to go for it. About halfway through the ride, I proclaimed that enough fun had been had and the ride could stop. Unfortunately, pronouncements like that don't work in the Pier of Navy. I survived without ralphing on the little kids behind us, but I did not feel so good for awhile afterwards. Even the subsequent ferris wheel ride made me close my eyes. So lame.

So I'm a wee bit jealous of the boundless energy and enthusiasm that my three-year-old nephew has for everything in life (especially my bedroom door..."It's AMAZING!"). At least I can live vicariously through him. At least for the spinny rides.

- shannon is remembering how to blog again

Franklin + Fake Christmas Tree

It didn't taste so good...

Clearly life has the upper hand

There is something to be said for always preparing yourself for the worst. Of course you are the bummer at the party. You might even be considered a wet rag. But you are also more prepared for heartache and ready to fall into the defensive, with arms raised across your heart and an "I told you so" at the ready. This is especially common of cancer survivors ( or at least this cancer survivor ). Every moment is a gift and a question mark; nothing can be counted on. When brightness does come into your life, you are always waiting for it fade, but hoping that it will stay. Hope and fear residing forever in the impermanence. There is something to be said for always preparing yourself for the worst. The wounds will still open but you have to expect that they will close more quickly.

Michael Torres

Another beautiful, bright and shining soul is gone from the world.

That boy could put a smile on your face, no matter what was going on. His smile was as big as his heart.

Even when he was up to something, it was impossible to get mad at him.

Every year at camp, he tried to take his swim test. This June, he passed. I was there. Everyone was so proud of him. His spirit was infectious.

There is nothing good or fair about this. I am so lucky to have known him.

It's never too late for Halloween pictures

Especially when they're of Brandito

Nine!

* The real ink will be coming later for number nine. Until then, please accept my rudimentary Microsoft Paint skills.

These make me happy

- shannon is cookie cookie cookie