Behind the Scenes

We went to the Milwaukee Brewers vs Washington Nationals baseball game on Sunday. Nickolas went to his first game last summer, so this was his second one. Unlike last year where he just sat on our lap, Nickolas wanted nothing of that and instead opted to explore the brand new stadium. While Aimee watched the game, including an interesting 6th inning when the Brewers scored 6 runs to tie the game, Dan and Nickolas cruised around the concourse and enjoyed various frozen treats and a stadium hot dog. During the 7th inning, Uncle Brian arranged for us to watch the game from the TV broadcast booth with the announcers and then we eventually made our way down where Uncle Brian pushes a bunch of buttons. Nickolas graciously helped him push buttons after coming uncomfortably close to unplugging various cords in the broadcast booth. We were somewhat amazed the viewers back in Wisconsin had an uninterrupted broadcast of the game that ended with the Nationals winning 7-6.

At the game - July 2007 and May 2008.

View from the announcers' booth.

Live with the announcers Brian and Bill. Note the microphone in Nickolas's hand - future on-air talent?

In the truck.

On the field.

Saturday in the City

The weather is perfect this weekend, so we spent as much of Saturday outdoors as possible. We started the morning meeting our co-worker Reid and his 21-month son Beckett at the office for a quick little task he and Dan needed to do. It was the first time Nickolas and Beckett met each other and they had a ball pressing computer keyboard keys, moving trash cans (that would be a warning to our other coworkers who may be missing a trash can after this holiday weekend), and running down the halls. We'll have to get the two of them together again real soon.

Fuzzy pics taken with Dan's camera phone but we couldn't resist.

Later in the morning, we met up with Uncle Brian who's in town this weekend with the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team for work. We ventured out from his hotel and took a nice stroll around Dupont Circle and had a delicious brunch outdoors at Kramer Books/Afterwords Cafe. Eventually, Brian had to get to the stadium, so Dan, Nickolas, and Aimee continued on with their urban hike while Nickolas took a wee nap in the stroller.

Also, this weekend, being Memorial Day Weekend, thousands of Harley riders are in town for the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally for various parades and gatherings throughout the city. Many can be found along the Mall and the Vietnam Memorial. Here's a pic driving towards the Lincoln Memorial past the Vietnam. http://www.rollingthundermotorcyclerally.com/ And, one of Nickolas back in Milwaukee eyeing up a 'hog'.

My Old Kentucky Home

A big thank you to Dan's family for a lovely time in Kentucky. Nickolas took great naps with the fresh country air, had lots of practice walking with all of the space and hardwood floors, and ate delicious meals. Nickolas also had a great time petting the dogs and playing on the swing set. We hope to see you all again real soon.

Fun with my Nana (by Nickolas)

I had fun with my Nana Jean this past weekend. The weather was pleasant and we had lots of fun outside looking at her garden, watching birds (even a Cardinal!), carrying me for walks around the yard, and playing on the swing. I also enjoyed her chicken stew. I had even more fun running around her house, pulling books off the shelves, clanking on anything that made noise, and taking the liberty to empty and relocate every single trash can in all of the rooms of the house for her.

Earning my keep with ensuring all trash cans are where I think they should be.



I'd rather swing with Nana.

Hehe, I'm up high!


That is a lovely Fringe Tree, Nana. I came at the perfect time to see it bloom.


That way, please. I must see what is going on over there.

My Cousin Grant (by Nickolas)

I had fun with my cousin Grant in Kentucky this past weekend. When I was supposed to be napping, I peaked out the window and watched as he took daddy and Uncle David on in a golf contest. I then took my nap like a good boy and when I woke up, the sky had cleared and I ventured down the drive to play with Grant and watch him beat mommy in a tennis game on the Wii (Nintendo). While Grant beat mommy and daddy over and over again, I roamed around the house with Uncle David and he pulled out all sorts of toys for me including a fishing rod and golf club. Grant was also kind to let me climb on and play with his toys including his jungle gym. Perhaps someday I'll have one to myself although the one at the park is pretty fun, too.

A game of "I'm going to catch my big cousin"

"THIS is how you do it."

Golf club - check; Fishing rod - check; now, what did I do with my 12 gauge?

Next time, hopefully, I'll be big enough to play.

The agony of defeat (left), the glory of victory (right).

Membership in the winner's circle has its benefits.

First Pets

Aimee attended an event today for work at the White House for the Preserve America initiative. It was the annual Presidential Awards ceremony, however, the President had other business to attend to. More exciting was who she encountered via a different entrance from where the other guests arrived. By somehow entering through the West Wing (with the boss who has the pass to do so), we meandered through and there he was - Barney, the First Dog on his way outside for a bathroom break!

Barney who barked a happy hello as I pulled out the camera.

Dayne, Aimee's dog back home with Nickolas. Barney was certainly cute, but not this cute.

Nickolas with the KY farm dog Frankie.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to our moms Jean and Julie! Nickolas and Dan spoiled me over the weekend for my second Mother's Day - they let me sleep in, go shopping, get a pedicure, took me out to brunch, bought me sweets, and a lovely card. We didn't get to play outside much with the rain, but we all had a lovely weekend.

Nickolas and Aimee today (Mother's Day) after Nickolas's afternoon nap.

Our lovely moms on our wedding weekend.

Dan and his mum .

Aimee with her mother and a 7 month old Nickolas.

And, a Happy Mother's Day to sister Linda, too!

Country Road

After Dan played John Denver's "Country Road" about three dozen times during the 60 mile drive, we arrived in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia for a fun afternoon of checking out the historic town and National Park Service site. The song lyrics speak of the Shenandoah River and the Blue Ridge Mountains, which we drove through and Nickolas enjoyed the car ride for the most part. Harper's Ferry is located at the confluence of the Shenandoah and the Potomac Rivers in West Virginia, but is in view of Virginia across the Shenandoah and Maryland over the Potomac, which flows straight past D.C. http://www.nps.gov/archive/hafe/home.htm

The weather was perfect this morning and Nickolas woke us up bright and early to get outside and enjoy it at the park followed by a walk. After a good late-morning nap, we took a little drive. I have a favorite spot in Harper's Ferry that serves excellent corn dogs and malts, so we indulged although Nickolas kept trying to put mustard in his malt. A newly mobile Nickolas had a fun time in several museums and enjoyed the interactive exhibits and an overall fun day.


View of Maryland in the distance.


View of Virginia in the distance.


Mini me?


But it says to examine it closely!