feeling great, having fun

We're having a blast at HoneyRock in Wisconsin's Northwoods! Will update with more pics when we have solid internet access. Isaiah is healthy, strong, and wants to move to Wisconsin. Our water ski plans for today have been rained out, but I hear it's 106 at home! Some pics here: www.twitter.com/nathanoates

Peace!

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In front of Irving House at Wheaton College

Isaiah tries on some real armor at the Art Institute.

One of these three just isn't as interested in the Impressionists.

Such good buds.

This was the malted milk part of my $11 dessert.  Delicious.  Just now quite as large as I imagined.

With Aunt Janet!

Full.

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With "Sue" at the Field Museum.

Self portrait. 

Buckingham Fountain.

Playing in the water at Crown Fountain.

The "bean" at Millennial Park, Chicago.  

Isaiah, at the base of the Hancock building, intrigued by all the new sights.  

It's been a very full few days in Chicago.  We're starting to get the hang of public transportation.  In two days we've traveled by foot, bus, train, taxi, borrowed car, and "L".  

More pics to follow here and at www.twitter.com/nathanoates

chicago!

We are in Chicago!  

We drove to the airport via the

 oncology clinic yesterday

 morning.  We did not have a "plan B" and were just hoping Isaiah's blood counts would be high enough

 to get the green light.  Gratefully, he's in good shape and we're beginning the longest break we've had in over 10 years!

We're staying with our great friend Janet in downtown Chicago, just two blocks from the lake front and Grant Park.  Hope to walk to the Field Museum today.  

We'll be sending out pictures this week at www.twitter.com/nathanoates.

love

Isaiah walked up to Carmen last night, gave her a big hug, and said, "Mom, I love you more than baseball." 

tired

Isaiah's chemo was increased recently and he just finished a round of steroids.  He seems a bit more wiped out than usual.  

Today he was very brave.  There was some problem with the blood sample they took last week at the clinic so they needed him to provide another sample.  Rather than driving all the way down to Sacramento again today, he agreed to go to a local clinic and have blood pulled  from his arm (rather than from his port).  He was a bit nervous as other blood draws from the arm have been painful.  But he didn't flinch at all.  I was very proud of him.

He enjoyed the rest of the day playing with friends, grocery shopping with his mom, and lots, lots more.