Tuesday, February 26, 2013

First Steps

 
 
Nolan has discovered doors. 
Typical of an engineer; he wants to know how things work.

 
Grampa and I are going down to our "man cave."
Of course we first have to go through this gate (with a hinge).
 
 
Given a choice between carrots and peas, which will win?
 
 
For Nolan, orange always wins.
 
 
Grampa's last project of replacing a transformer on the water heater solved the problem of heating the water.  But a month later, we had a new problem.  The water was leaking onto the basement floor.  I could help carry two new water heaters down to the basement, but I wasn't allowed to help with the installation.
 
 
When he cut the water pipes leading to the old water heaters,
he said, "There's no turning back now."
 
 
 
Nolan has started taking his first few steps. 
 He's been dancing for quite a while now.
I guess he takes after Grampa.
 
 
Daily Double from California
 

The California crew heads to the mountains.
 

 
 
The mountains are made for hiking..
 
 
The giant redwoods are very tall.
 
 
It is impossible for boys to hike without picking up a stick.
 
 
Keep an eye on the ground for creepy, crawly things.
 
 
Daddy looks like a giant redwood, too.

\
 
Walk softly and carry a big stick.

 
 
My gentlemen!
 
 
There's no other like my mother.
 
 
Fly me to the moon.


Sunday, February 3, 2013

Chicago Botanical Gardens

 
I'm taking Gramma and Grampa to the Chicago Botanical Gardens.
I like when they ride in the car with me.

 
Grampa thought I would see better in his arms than in my stroller.
 
  
The buildings were made out of branches, leaves, sap, flowers and bark.
 
 
This is a copy of President Obama's family home.
 
 
Chicago houses are built really close together. 
The windows are made by cooking and crystallizing the sap.
 
 
The Wonderland Express exhibit had trains going through it. 
Grampa made certain that I could see everything.
 
 
It's the magnificent mile.

 
The flower arrangement is made from orchids.
Lots of orchids.
 
 
A bunch of bananas.
They're not ready to eat, yet.
 
 
This is a dragonfly topiary.
Gramma could use one of these at her house.
 
 
And this is a swan made from lilies.
We have a lily pond at my house.
 
 
We have to dress warm to go outside.
 
 
My new bottle has handles. 
If Grampa and Gramma forget to take out the disc that prevents the milk from coming out,
it's impossible for me to get anything to drink.
 
 
Where us Nolan?

 
I love to eat.
And I love to feed myself.
 
 
Grampa makes me happy.
 
 
Daddy, I think I lost my favorite hat.
 
 
Daily Double from California
 
 
That's a really big motorcycle.

 
Aunt Becky and Gramma drove a motorcycle when they were young.
Dubuque is really hilly for riding a motorcycle.
Or learning to drive with a stick-shift.
Grampa taught Gramma to drive a car with his Mustang.
A stop sign at the top of the hill was a challenge. 
Especially if the person behind you pulls up close.
It took time before I stopped motioning the person behind to go around me.