The BIG Trip

We have been waiting for this moment since July... our BIG trip out east to visit Aunt MeeMee, Uncle Jeff, and the boys! Every year, well almost every year, Mom and Dad Stein fly out to North Carolina for Thanksgiving. Since we had never been out to visit, we thought that it would be great to fly out for Thanksgiving too! So, the day before Thanksgiving, Nolan, Gary, and I all flew out to Raleigh to visit for an extended weekend. Aunt Karen came too... and thank goodness! She was a HUGE help with Nolan! The trip on the plane was very short, about an hour and a half each way. On the way to North Carolina, Nolan just looked out the window and continuously said "Oh Wow!" Most of the ride he sat on Aunt Karen's lap looking out the window, opening and closing the window shade, and messing with the overhead lights. But what can I say, he was great!
The time at Aunt MeeMee's house was fantastic! It seemed like we never stopped eating, but that was fine by me! Uncle Jeff's side of the family came in for the Holiday too, so it was a packed house. But that is how we like it! Nothing like being surrounded by family during the holidays! North Carolina was absolutely beautiful! There were a ton of shopping malls and subdivisions surrounded by heavy woods. I was amazed at how such a big city area could be nestled among nature without disturbing it. We definitely don't see that around here... you wanna build something?? Tear down the whole entire forest! Besides resting at Aunt MeeMee's house and eating to our heart's desire, we also went to the Science Museum and a couple of fantastic malls. I have got to say, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Aunt MeeMee and Uncle Jeff were so accommodating and we were so happy to build these memories with Nolan.
As much as we hated to leave, we had too! :( The airplane ride home was a little more difficult than the ride there, but hey, wouldn't you be mad too if you had to leave Aunt MeeMee's house?! Thank you Aunt MeeMee, Uncle Jeff, Jathen, and Andrew for welcoming us into your home and spending time with us. We had a great time! We can't wait to see you all again this summer!

First Bonfire

Nolan went to his first bonfire this last weekend at the Rickmann's house. He was so enthralled by the fire pit. I am sure we have a mini Gary on our hands! He couldn't get over the excitement of the fire! He roasted many marshmallows and with the help of Jessica even made a yummy s'more! The s'more made a HUGE mess, but he sure enjoyed it!

Trick or Treat... Smell my Feet!

Halloween this year was so fun! Nolan still didn't quite understand what it was all about, but he did dress up and go "trick or treating." Nolan dressed up as a vampire in a costume made by Grandma Marsha. He looked so absolutely adorable. Nolan only trick or treated at 4 places, but that was plenty! He didn't really get it anyways and doesn't really need candy. I am sure next year he will understand better... can't wait to see what intricate costume Grandma Marsha will come up with next!

Hello?

Nolan has an extreme obsession with all phones. If one is in sight, he tries his hardest to get it in his hands. Here is a picture of Nolan playing with Grandma Marsha's cell phone.
He is so funny with the phone; he pretends that someone is actually on the other line talking to him. And of course, many of you have been on the receiving end of a "phone call" from him. Enjoy!

What's That?

It's Grandma Marsha's kittie cat! My Grandpa, Clarence Gould (my mom's father), recently passed away. My grandpa was in love with cats... and that is an understatement! After going through hundreds of photos of family, we quickly realized that about 30% of those pictures were of cats. With that being said, grandpa had one cat still living when he passed away, Blackie. My mom decided that she would take Blackie and care for her. Nolan has never been around cats, only dogs. I took him over to meet Blackie and he absolutely loved her. Maybe it was her kind heart allowing him to actually pet her (the dogs run from Nolan) or maybe it's that she is just way too old to know any better. Either way... Nolan was thrilled! Here are some pics... Loving on the kittie and trying to get her to talk on the phone!

It's Pumpkin Season!

We took Nolan to Eckert’s this past weekend. I think he was in awe of all of the big orange things aka pumpkins! He had fun running around and touching all of the pumpkins, although it made me really nervous. I thought they may tumble off of the hay stacks. We didn't take him out to the patch this year, we just picked from the selection that Eckert’s had picked. Maybe next year when he listens a little better we will take him (fingers crossed)! We got Nolan the perfect sized pumpkin that he can actually lift and a few mini pumpkins. We are getting really excited for Halloween!

Mmmm... Good!

This is Nolan’s new habit…

That’s right… my little stinker has been licking the outside of Nana’s oven as the scrumptious food cooks inside! Thank goodness the outside of the oven is cool to the touch. And thank goodness Nana and Papa keep their house spic and span! He does this all the time. Not just a onetime event, but HILARIOUS every time!

Fire Prevention

This week was Fire Prevention week, so we HAD to take Nolan to the firehouse to see all the great fire trucks! Nolan looked in amazement at all of the giant trucks. He had fun running around and then stopping every once in a while to gaze at the trucks and all of the hustle and bustle of the “big kids” around him. He took a particular liking to the fire pole and even went down the pole four times! The first time he was kind of scared, but after that, all bets were off! He is so fearless. He would have gone down that darn pole 20 times if I would have let him. Nolan even got to see the Arch Ambulance Helicopter land. VERY COOL!

Also, Gary took one of the fire trucks to daycare to show all of the kids. All of the other kids were terrified and refused to get on the truck. Not Nolan… he jumped right on. Looks like we have another fireman in the family!

Future Rock Climber?

Nolan has been climbing everything lately. He has learned how to climb chairs at Nana and Papa's house. He sits in them like a big boy too! He has conquered couches a time or two, but still has his struggles. He will whine until you put him on the couch most of the time. The picture below is the cutest climb as of yet... he pulled himself up on the stool at the end of the hallway at Nana's house. The stool isn't very big, so it was quite the task. After he got up there, he was so proud of himself. He didn't want to get down! Gotta love a baby boy that is so proud of his simple accomplishments!

First Ride on the Carousel

As we walked by the carousel at the mall, Nolan just stopped and stared in awe. Gary looks at me and I say “Don’t you even think about putting me on that thing!” But Gary decides he wants to take Nolan on the carousel… Thank God! That would turn out to be a disaster if I went on it! So Nolan happily rode the carousel, smiling every time he came around and saw me. So cute!