Children's Museum

Milwaukee has a fun children's museum Nickolas checked out for the first time. Daddy and Nickolas equally had fun with all of the toys and games. Nickolas played with Nickolas-sized cars, lawnmowers, play house, and explored every inch for nearly two hours. We will certainly make our way back there again. http://www.bbcmkids.org/

Doing yard work.


Why don't our pots and pans at home hang on the wall just like this for me to play with? This place is too fun.


Architect hopeful (mommy's hope)

Nickolas's favorite car to drive pulling up to the bank teller window.

Mommy at the anchor desk -- you stay classy, Milwaukee.


Another fun truck.

Learning the physics of ski jumping.

Following the ping pong ball with daddy on the roller coaster. Weeeeeeeeeeee!

Catch me, Grandma, before I run off the next fun activity!

Merry Christmas Wisconsin Style

Nickolas opened his Christmas presents from Santa on Christmas Eve and daddy arrived just in time after being snowed out for a day (Nickolas and mommy were snowed out of WI for 3 days!). Eventually, we were all in one spot and enjoyed Grandma Julie's cooking and sharing gifts. Overall, Dan and Aimee had a relaxing time while Nickolas played with his uncles and grandparents by sleeping in. The weather didn't quite cooperate to play in the snow -- either it was below zero or the snow melted with random rainstorms and later turned to ice. Perfect sleeping-in weather to say the least.

I hope Santa realized I'm in Wisconsin.

PRESENTS!

Daddy helping me open up a new toy car. Love it!

Grandma had a beautiful baptismal gown made for Nickolas's baby sister and future grandkids from the material of Great-Grandma Felicia's wedding dress she wore in 1946. Mommy was quite shocked and touched.

Four-man acoustical jam with Nickolas's new instruments. Who knew daddy could play the harmonica?

Uncle David looking Totally '80s in his Rayban sunglasses and Polo.

I was a good boy for Santa.

Fun with Grandma's Toys and the Piano

Nickolas had a fun time in Wisconsin in part with the many toys old and new Grandma Julie found for him. He was particularly fond of the farm the he often played with Grandpa Jim. Perhaps he'll get one for his birthday next month...

Peak-a-boo through the barn door with Grandpa.

Farming is hard work -- taking a break from the farm to watch "Noddy" with Grandma.

Doing something silly with the farm with Godmother Amy.

Nickolas also had a grand time banging, I mean, playing the piano at least 5 times a day. Even more fun was playing the piano with Grandma's kitchen utensils. Who knew a wisk could make such a sound?

Playing with Uncle Brian.

Final Kindermusik Class

December 13 was Nickolas's final Kindermusik class after a fun semester with Miss Tracey that began in September and met each Saturday morning. Perhaps he'll take a similar class again in the summer or fall. For the final class, they played instruments, danced with scarves, swung in the blanket, and played in the parachute. Nickolas also received his very own special diploma for completing the class. Even though the class is over, we still listen to the class cd in the car as we drive singing "Rise Sugar Rise", Nickolas's favorite song along with other good ones.

Instrument time

Dancing with the scarves.

Story time

Spinning in the parachute.

Swinging in the blanket.

Receiving his diploma.

Christmas Tour

Nickolas went to the White House on Thursday morning to see the Christmas decorations. This year's theme was a patriotic one. We were greeted by two large Uncle Sam-like nutcrackers outside of the East Wing. From there, he visited all of the rooms and had fun touching anything he could. There were lots of sparkly lights and shiny ornaments everywhere in red, white, and blue.

Uncle Sam nutcrackers outside of the East Wing entrance.

Big and important in the corridors (Nickolas, that is).

Family photo.

Touching anything shiny.

The Blue Room tree.

Nickolas's "John John" moment in the East Room through mommy's dress (instead of the President's desk).

A fragrant white chocolate gingerbread house a pregnant mommy was drooling over.

Nickolas getting the eye from Secret Service.

That was fun! Hopefully I can come back someday in another 4 or 8 years.

Here's a link to Nickolas's first visit last Christmas.

http://weechitlin.blogspot.com/2007/12/mr-nickolas-goes-to-white-house.html

Thunderstruck!

Nickolas was fired up tonight after a fun week with his friends at daycare. He knew tonight was a Friday night and wanted to party. Here's a clip of some headbanging to AC/DC. Rock on.

View from atop

Nickolas went to daddy's office before his White House Christmas decoration tour and had a fun time looking out of the window. Unfortunately, it was a cloudy and rainy day, so the Jefferson Memorial was in a haze, however, he caught a nice view of both the Lincoln and Washington Monuments. We'll certainly miss that office!



Lincoln Memorial just over the corner of the white building.


Washington Monument

Fun on the Farm for Thanksgiving

Nickolas had a lovely time in Kentucky with his Nana for Thanksgiving. Like mommy, he may have gained a pound or two with the pies, pizza, turkey dinner, cookies, stew, eggnog, and other goodies. Nickolas loved sitting in the big chairs at the dining table for all of his meals. He thoroughly enjoyed the space and fresh air being at Dan's family's home has to offer.

Pizza party Thanksgiving eve.

Making a pie with Nana and cousin Grant.

Taking a break in his Kentucky blue reading up on political theory.

With daddy and a dashing uncle David.

Gobbling turkey.


Commanding attention on the stool during the Thanksgiving meal. Apparently, Nickolas had a lot to be thankful for.

Working off the meal throwing rocks with the big boys and dog.

Tossing the pigskin after turkey and enjoying the beautiful day.

Last Hurrah

While daddy went to pick Nickolas up from Miss Bennie's this evening and while they ate meatballs, cheese, and fruit for dinner, mommy had one last hurrah at the final reception for the quarterly meetings she's been attending on behalf of the Interior since 2003. The Chairman (pictured right) knows how to throw a party at the loveliest of locations around the country. Tonight's festivities took place at the Blair House (http://www.blairhouse.org/home.html) within the White House complex with Mrs. Bush as the featured guest. What was particularly exciting was the award they handed out to those moving on with the change in the Administration, including mommy for her work with Preserve America. Surprisingly, mommy had a cheering section, which Mrs. Bush noted. What a perfect way to cap off 6 1/2 wonderful years!

Mrs. Bush and Chairman Nau

Relaxing with George and George.

The stage.

Action shot of handing grant awards at a July 2007 Hill event.