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.

Nolan's Two Year Pictures

Could you hurry this up?



The Perfect Shot...

October?!

Well, here we are--staring bold faced into winter. I am not looking forward to it. Last winter was one of the worst winters ever. Nolan was sick constantly, I got Strep twice (after 30 years of not having it at all) and of course there was Karl's infamous pass-out, break ribs, ambulance ride debacle.

So, as I start to ponder this winter I realized something. Nolan hasn't really been sick in a very long time. Is it possible that all of those people were right? That eventually he would reach critical mass in his immune system and stop catching everything!? It seems that may be the case.

Other than that we are putting laminate floors on the main floor next weekend (and when I say 'we' I really mean Karl), with the hopes that we will be able to sell next year. I am not really an optimist and the market doesn't seem much better, but we can hope.

Pictures are attached for your viewing pleasure. These are Nolan's two year pictures. I think they turned out great.
Until next time...

Pictures of our Murphy

I am just too cute or what?


The look...

Murphy

There are few things as comforting as having a very loyal dog. We of course had our wonderful Murphy, who was as cute as he was crazy. We made the very difficult decision a few months ago to find a new home for Murphy. He had learned to live with giving up his room (for the nursery) and learning to share his space when Nolan started to move around, but eventually it became a bit too much for him. He was never mean, but was very difficult to manage with a small child in a small home.

We will always have some great stories...like when he jumped on the countertop to eat a stick of butter. We couldn't figure out where the butter went until the next day, during Murphy's walk.
The time he ate half a bag of chocolate kisses and we had to induce vomiting.
The way he howls (or sings) when a siren goes by.
The look on his face anytime we did something to him that he thought was beneath him, such as dress him up for Christmas or Halloween.

He is dearly loved and very missed. We think he will be very happy in his new home. Surrounded by parks and un-knowing rabbits. Now if he can just get his own room...

Birthday weekend

Nolan had quite the birthday weekend. We had two separate parties for him. The first was Saturday morning, at Grandma and Grandpa Madsen's house. It was early, first thing Saturday morning, but the family turned out in force. It was fun, and Nolan sure warmed up to everyone really quickly. He had fun opening presents and playing with Tiv. We were glad we didn't have to host at our house!

Sunday, we made the drive up to Sarah and David's house for birthday party #2. It was a beautiful afternoon, and we spent the entire day outside. Nolan had a blast in the inflatable pool...almost too much fun! He was all about riding the classic horse toy that used to belong to Sarah. Something to keep in mind? We had a great visit with Grandpa David, Grandma Lois, Sarah, and Anne. It was a great end to a fun birthday weekend.

Next stop...Christmas!!! YIKES!!!

Nolan's 2nd Birthday! (2)

"Mmmm....cupcakes!"



"Cheese" daddy!!! Playing in the pool at Sarah and David's.



"Yee-haw!"



Sarah's horse...he really loved riding that!



Lots of presents...but the ribbon was very fun!

Nolan's 2nd Birthday! (1)

His first puppet - Harry



Again, the focused concentration...so cute.



"Open Tivy!"



Ripping paper, pulling ribbons, no help from mom or dad!



Opening presents...more fun this year!

4th of July

Our family vacation this summer was another trip up to visit Grandpa Eric (that is just fun to say) in Door County, WI. We were a little nervous, as our trip last year was a bit rough, but this year, we were prepared. We purchased a portable DVD player - yes, our car does not have one built in - and that made things much easier. While there is a part of me that finds that to be "cheating", at this age, it sure seems to help things. I hope in the coming years, we can road trip like I used to... (yeah, right!).

The week was very nice, even though the weather was cool and rainy at the beginning. We bought a small tent and Nolan loved climbing in the tent in the yard. He wanted everyone to come and sit in the tent. That is about as close to camping as I'll ever get...but it was fun for Nolan! He is still a bit apprehensive about the tractor, but when it wasn't running, he sure liked to climb all over it. He didn't want anything to do with it while it was running though...so we still have another year or so before he might want to ride/drive.

We found lots of parks, and Nolan loves slides. He really took to the beach, so I'm glad to see he is following in his dad's footsteps - Parrothead in training (I'd like to think). It was great spending time up in Door County, and Nolan seems to really enjoy it there.

Door County over the 4th of July (3)

Wasting away on the beach...Parrothead in training! My boy.



"No daddy...I can do it!"



Lots of sand...lots of water.



Nolan's first trip to the Ephraim Beach...loved it!



More slides...he love them!

Door County over the 4th of July (2)

The tongue out, showing concentration...it is a Fletcher side thing...



"Um...what about the pedals?"



"I'm driving...I'm driving."



Chilling with C.A.N. in the trailer.



"Papa sit!"