Day 1 pictures

Yes! He did sleep on the plane!



Waiting for the bus...



Sarah and David H., ready to go.



Look out Magic Kingdom, here we come!

Disney World - 2010

Many years ago, we made a deal with Laura's sister, Sarah, that when her son, David, finished with his treatments for Leukemia, we would take them down to Disney World. Well, this January, David had his last chemo treatment, and shortly there after we got a phone call asking when we would be going to Disney World...

So, along comes October 2010, and we head down to Disney World. The party consisted of two families - Sarah, David H. (her husband), and David V. (her son) and Laura, Nolan, and myself. It was the first time that we would be taking Nolan on an airplane (and I'm sure not the last). Sarah and her son David were first time fliers as well. It was quite the adventure. David and Nolan thought the plane ride was pretty cool...Sarah, well, let's just say the next time she goes to Disney World she will probably be driving.

I still have quite a few friends that work down there, and I did pull a few strings to make sure that we had a few special moments. Upon checking in to the resort - we stayed at Port Orleans, Riverside - there was a surprise waiting for David, Nolan, and as it turned out, myself. Noland and David got pictures of Mickey Mouse, signed by him. I got a picture of the Guest Relations Host pin, that I used to wear some many years ago, with a note saying "Welcome Home". It was perfect!

Day 1 - Oct. 21
The first day, I had made us reservations for breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table. David V. would gather Disney princess dolls when he would have his chemo treatments, and breakfast at Cinderella's is a breakfast where the princess characters visit each table! It was the right choice. We had a great breakfast, got lots of pictures, as well as a sword for both Nolan and David V. After breakfast, we split up so that each family could explore the Magic Kingdom for a while. Another friend of mine had set us up for special viewing of the 3 o'clock parade (which does start at 3pm), so we had a few hours to enjoy.

Unfortunately, the previous day of traveling wore out Nolan, as he really didn't sleep much during the day, and that night, staying in the resort was new for him, so he was throwing a few fits, and we decided to take him back to the resort and have him nap. So, Laura and Nolan remained at the room and I went back to the Kingdom to make sure everyone else got set up for the parade. It turned out that in addition to the parade viewing, my friend was able to set up a very special "magical moment" for David. He brought us into City Hall right before the parade, and waiting for us were ALL the princesses, several princes, and the Fairy Godmother! It was AMAZING! I don't think that could have been any better for David V., but I still feel very bad that Nolan and Laura missed it... (pictures to follow).

After the parade, we all went back to the resort, spent a few hours swimming and ended up having dinner at the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney...

Updates - Fall 2010 continued

Every fall, there are two events that Nolan really enjoys. First, the Fire Muster (which happens to fall on the same day as the Queen Avenue block party). They have fire trucks from all over the Minneapolis area gather and there is a parade! Who can go wrong with fire trucks on parade! The second, there is an open house at one of the fire stations here! They have tours of the fire station, and you can climb in and sit in several different types of fire trucks.

This year, they had Sparky, the fire dog. It was our first attempt to see how Nolan would handle getting his picture taken with characters...



Nolan and Sparky (and Dad of course)



Driving the fire truck... "Get out, Dad!"



"When does it move?"



Nolan, in mid-wave (looks like a karate chop)



"I LOVE fire trucks!!!"

Updates - Fall 2010

Well, it sure has been a while since I have updated this blog. Thank you all for being patient. We have lots of updates in the past 3 months. Where to begin...

August 2010

Nolan turned 3...that's right, 3. It sure doesn't seem like 3 years have gone by, but watching Nolan, it is amaing (as you will soon see in the pictures). He is becoming a little man already. We had a very nice birthday. In the morning we visited the Mall of America. Nolan is sure starting like rides. The afternoon we spent here at the house. Family gathered...Nolan opened presents. It was very nice, relaxing, and so far, only 1 child. I'm both looking forward to, and dreading, the coming birthdays where we will have to host all of Nolan's friends for birthdays! Those will sure be interesting!!!



"I'm eating CAKE!"



Hopefully learning good study habits (yeah, right).



He LOVES books!



Laura and Nolan riding the train. "Hi, Dad!"



Already driving big rigs...

Summer 2010 - Nolan's bike

Well, he hasn't quite got the hang of the pedal thing yet, but he sure does like going fast! I'm sure it is a sign of things to come. Oh well...

Easter Eggs

"CHEESE!"



So many colors to choose from!



No...it is not a ball.



Oh, I have to put it on this wire thing???



The end result...next year, pysanky! Yeah, right...

Spring 2010 update

Things have been pretty hectic this spring. Laura has been traveling for work, spending every other week in Louisiana (Lafayette to be exact). It is hard on her, as she really doesn't want to be gone, and hard on me as I end up having an entire week on my own with Nolan. At least during the week, he is at day care which keeps him occupied and wears him out. The nights have been a challenge lately, as he is totally a 2 year old when it comes to going to sleep these days. He fights it all the way...and then passes out. It has been rough on both Laura and I, and we are both anxious for this phase to be done... However, we both don't want him growing up any faster than he already is...

The weather has been getting better and better (almost 70 today!). That means we have been trying to spend more and more time outside. Lately all three of us are taking walks together, as we want to have Nolan burn some energy before bed, and there is no reason to be watching movies when it is so nice outside. He still wants to ride in his stroller, but he has mostly outgrown it. We will have to resort to either a wagon or something else for him to ride. No bikes yet....

Sorry this has not been updated as often. Hopefully we will get better about it. Stay tuned...

Nolan's first black eye

Well, it is official, we have a boy. Nolan got his first black eye this past week while at day care. Quite the shiner! We got a call that he had fallen into a bookcase while he was running, a small cut under the eye and a black eye. Apparently, he popped right back up and was running around like nothing happened. I'm not sure exactly where he gets that from, but I'm glad to see it never really slowed him down much.

Picking him up from day care that night was quite the shock, but he has been a trooper. Both Laura and I have wondered when this was going to happen, as he is quite the adventurous type - climbing, jumping, running, falling... It was only a matter of time. Hopefully, he learns quickly that there are consequences, and starts to show a little restraint, but then again...he is only two and a half. Oh well...




Helping dad tighten the bolts on the chair...



You should see the bookshelf!!!

Nolan's Big Boy Bed

Okay, so I'm posting this now, but we actually got this bed back in January. While we thought he was ready to transition to a big boy bed, it took a while before he really got used to it.



"Nobody knows, the trouble I've seen...."



Baby prison...to prevent him falling down the stairs at night.



"Ahhh...okay, I get it."



"Oh, I can sleep here?"



"Ummm...isn't this a bit small?"

Christmas 2009 - pictures 1

I gave up...and it is still snowing!



Laura, Nolan, and Frosty



Karl, Nolan, and Frosty



"Thanks Santa!"



I could watch him play with the train all day!!!

Christmas 2009

Well, this year was much more exciting than last year, for several reasons! First, Nolan was just beside himself about Santa this year. It has been great getting him all excited about Christmas, and seeing him get excited about opening presents and Santa coming to visit. Second, I got to be Santa's helper this year. We got Nolan a train set, and I put it together so that when he came down (well, in this case up) to see what Santa brought, it was all ready to go - well, I forgot to buy the batteries...oops. Third, we got a MAJOR snow storm this year. I'm talking 8+ inches of first nice, beautiful snow, followed by a few more inches of wet, heavy snow. It was great watching Nolan look out at all the snow.

We are getting ready to have more fun outside this year. We have already made Nolan's first snowman, and Grandma and Grandpa Madsen, and Tivoli brought over a sled for Nolan. I'm looking forward to seeing how he likes sledding - I'm expecting to create a monster in the coming weeks! Look out world, Nolan the bobsled driver will soon be born!

All in all, a successful Christmas so far. We are still playing it by ear for today and tomorrow. We are supposed to go over to the Rockenstein's for my family's Christmas this afternoon, and up to Centuria, WI for Laura's family Christmas tomorrow. It is still snowing out, so we will have to see how things turn out with the weather.

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2009 was a much different experience from Halloween last year. Nolan really had a BLAST being Buzz Lightyear, and really enjoyed seeing all the other people in costume. While he wasn't too sure about some of the costumes, he was pretty calm, and held it together. We didn't make more than about 8-10 houses, but it was enough. What a change from last year.

He had fun visiting with Grandma Mardelle, Grandpa Eric, and Aunt Tiv - not much of a surprise there. He really enjoys being over there, visiting with Tiv's cat (when he can find her) and running around the house. The neighborhood there is perfect for him to run in the yards, and up and down the sidewalk. Halloween is another great reason to stop over there for the afternoon.



Trick or treating makes me THIRSTY!



Buzz standing in with the pumpkins.



What a motley crew...

Halloween (1)

Mmmm...cookies!



Happy boy.



Seeing lots of people in costume...but looking good.



Walking out with Grandma!



Our "Buzz Lightyear"

Burnsville Fire Station Open House

The local fire station held an open house, which we were able to head over to with Nolan. While fun, he hasn't stopped asking to see the fire trucks at least 4-5 times every week! They had tours of the fire station, fire trucks, an ambulance, and police car and command vehicle. Nolan was a little overwhelmed by the crowd, but enjoyed seeing the fire trucks and sitting in the police car. Ironically, the same crew that drove me in the ambulance last December was there giving tours of the ambulance (been there, rode in that!).



Riding shotgun in the squad car...



WOW! Fire trucks!



Not exactly a Disney character...but fun!



Our little fireman (it is a scratch on his nose, by his eye).

Our new floor...(2)

Looking GOOD!



Much easier under the dining room table.



Still need to put on the 1/4 round and stair nose.



End of day 2...went much faster.

Our new floor... (1)

The beginning of day 2...finally fewer cuts!



The end of day 1...took WAY TOO LONG!



Started with the most challenging section...oh well.



Before #2.



Before...cheap construction carpet.