Category: Travels

Maybury State Park is one of my favorite places to take a walk or a bike ride or snap Instagram photos with my iPhone. I decided it was time to put the park to use for some portraits, so I bought a big red balloon, picked up my niece and took her to Northville for a photo session.

Keeping with tradition, we went up north for my birthday again. This year we spent the weekend at a charming and silly little house in the woods in the middle of nowhere called Terrace Villa. We arrived late at night, and at first, I admit, I was a little creeped out by the place. But by the light of day, I found it adorable and full of personality. So while Justin prepared lunch, I did a little urban exploring. Here’s what I found…

The photos in this post were taken with my iPhone. I wouldn’t post iPhone photos unless they were really, really, REALLY special and these ones are – at least, they are to me. I can only hope that you will indulge me a little while I share the story of one of the greatest days of my life.

Though I could have spent all morning in that dreamy bed in our lakeview room at the Drake Hotel, I got up and got ready to dash across town. I knew it was going to be worth it, but I had no clue it would be beyond my wildest dreams.

Anyone that’s ever spent ten minutes talking to me has learned that I am certifiably Conan crazy. I started watching him during his second season hosting Late Night on NBC, long before he was a household name. On various trips to New York over the years, I attended four live tapings of the show at Studio 6A in Rockefeller Center. I had tickets to the February 15, 2010 taping of The Tonight Show which were ultimately canceled when Conan abruptly left the network after the time slot dispute heard ’round the world. So when I learned that TBS was sending his new show to Chicago for a week, I had to be a part of it! Fortunately, Justin appreciates Conan as well and tolerates my obsession with all things Coco.

On a muggy Monday morning, we stood in line to exchange our email confirmation letter for our tickets to the show. In the waiting area, illustrations and art submitted by fans hung on the walls. My favorite piece in this gallery was the painting of Conan’s legendary String Dance. Out in the streets, everything from billboards to bus stops advertised that Team Coco had taken over the town.

As part of a promotional giveaway, ten vending machines were placed around the city. Each night, a secret code was displayed during the show which could be used the following morning to score a free tee shirt! The vending machines were covered in fan art and no two were alike. They even had their own security guards at night!

Since we were the first show of the week, we were the first to see the set – the Chicago River and city skyline with Conan’s signature giant moon.

Before the show began, I made my mind up that I was just going to enjoy the experience and not spend the entire time snapping photos. After all, this show was going to be broadcast on TV and my DVR records every episode of Conan anyway. But when they brought out the 17 foot tall Conan bobblehead, I couldn’t resist! I pulled out my iPhone and snagged a shot of that sucker! I took one more of Conan and Andy at the desk before guest Jack McBrayer came out, and then I put the iPhone away and just enjoyed the show.

Afterwards, we wandered outside the Theater with the rest of the crowd. We noticed a group of people hanging around one of the back exit doors on the side of the Theater. We also noticed two Chevy Suburbans idling in the street nearby. We put two and two together and decided to join this group.

As we waited for Conan to appear, I imagined how exciting it would be to get a picture of him getting into his car. If I got that, it would be worth standing on the city sidewalk on a hot, humid day. After a while, some people got tired of waiting and left. But as the crowd shrunk, the anticipation grew. When a couple of very large men that we assume were bodyguards walked out, we knew the moment we’d been waiting for was near.

Finally, the doors opened and a red pompadour emerged! And instead of walking straight for the Suburbans, Conan stopped and signed autographs and posed for photos! I didn’t expect this and I wasn’t prepared for it. I was near the back of the crowd, so I just shot some video of the scene with my iPhone. As he made his way through the crowd, somehow I ended up in the front. To say I was excited in this moment doesn’t even begin to accurately describe how I felt! Seeing the expression on my face, he called me over and I somehow had the presence of mind to hand my iPhone to Justin. I think the look of delirious elation on my face in the photo pretty much says it all! It is not an exaggeration to say that this was one of the most amazing moments of my life!

I’m happy to report that this was not an out-of-body experience – I was completely aware of myself, but not necessarily in control of myself. After the photo, Conan signed a few more autographs and I, without warning or permission, grabbed him from the side and gave him a hug. I swear, this behavior was completely involuntary! At that moment, I was not in control of my body! But instead of calling for security, Conan turned to face me, half suprised and half amused, and he growled.

That’s right, Conan O’Brien growled at me!

Witnessing this from a few feet away, an amazed Justin informed Conan, “You have no idea how happy you just made her!”

As I stood there trying to comprehend what had just happened, Conan boarded one of the Suburbans and disappeared down East Lake Street. Justin and I walked – no, floated – down the street with fits of giggles and ear-to-ear grins.

“Do you remember on our first date,” Justin said, “when you told me that your ultimate dream in life was to have Conan growl at you? And he just did!”

Yup, he sure did. And it was a dream come true!

For Christmas, my nephew Kaden received a fire truck, which instantly became his favorite toy. When his birthday rolled around a few weeks later, we sounded the alarm and threw him a firehouse party! Complete with dalmatians and fire hats, this bash had everything a four-year-old firefighter could want! Check it out!

The Cookie Dough and White Chocolate Raspberry cupcakes from The Cupcake Station coordinated perfectly with the party theme, and they were delicious!

In addition to a fire hat, the kids who attended the party received a goodie bag with two sheets of firehouse stickers and a miniature emergency vehicle.

To keep the little ones entertained, a game of Pin the Fire Hat on the Dalmatian was played, and then it was time for the pinata. The dalmatian pinata was designed so that it didn’t have to be destroyed! It had a string for the birthday boy to pull which dropped the candy.

Wanting to ensure their spots on Santa’s nice list, my niece and nephew agreed to humor me and pose for some festive photos.

Gracie’s cat, Maddie, joined her for a few shots.

Kaden gave me a few goofy grins.

Then they shared a few holiday hugs and a mistletoe kiss.

If these two can stop pestering each other for even just the time it took me to press the shutter button in these photos, then I believe there’s hope for everyone else on planet Earth to put aside their differences for a little while and come together in the celebration of the holiday season. We all could use a dose of peace on Earth and good will toward men.

If you’re reading this, I wish you a very happy holiday season and the good fortune to share it with the people you love.