Nungesser's Russian Adoption Weblog

AB Joins Movember

2011-11-21T21:37:00.001-06:00

This month I'm supporting the fight against prostate cancer by growing a mustache for the Movember Foundation. AB wanted in this evening and joined me as a junior Mo Bro.

Click here to sponsor us promoting prostate cancer research and treatment. Thank you!!

Air Venture 2011

2011-07-26T21:14:00.002-05:00

My father too AB up to the EAA's AirVenture airshow today.

Checking out the cockpit of a Luncombe 8.

Huff & Puff Garden

2011-07-05T20:53:00.002-05:00

Once a year Elaine Silets, President of Huff & Puff Industries, Ltd., better known as the "The Train Lady"® opens up her private estate to the public so they can see the elaborate model railroads she's built there. AB and I made it this year.

Meeting us there: AB's grandparents, aunt, uncle and couple of his cousins.

Afterwards we went back to his grandparents' for a hearty lunch...

Dramatic faces....

and geometric finger patterns...

Father's Day on the Zip Line

2011-06-19T21:11:00.002-05:00

Kidz Fly 2011

2011-06-11T20:31:00.003-05:00

This morning AB and I drove to the Fox Valley Aero Club for their annual Kidz Fly event. This is where children get up-close with radio controlled aircraft, learn how they work, ask questions, and even get a chance to take the controls to fly one with an instructor.

Victory Day 2011

2011-05-29T22:25:00.003-05:00

Back on May 9th we observed Victory Day, the traditional Russian holiday that we refer to in the West as VE-Day. And in keeping with tradition to honor defenders of the Motherland (Родина), AB dons his pilotka (пилотка), a field cap worn by Soviet soldiers during the Great Patriotic War.....

Of course when you're seven, it's pretty hard to avoid getting silly, even when observing a most solemn holiday....

Metra From a Cubs Game

2011-05-28T22:25:00.003-05:00

AB, DW and I took the Metra into town for a Cubs game a Wrigley Field. Playing Nintendo DS on the ride...

Lacrosse

2011-04-22T22:20:00.000-05:00

AB was on his way to spend the night at his grandparents. We stopped to make the switch at Dick's Sporting Goods while players from the professional Lacrosse league were showing customers about the game. AB was taken with it...

Portrait of a President

2011-04-21T22:15:00.000-05:00

AB's Kindergarten class made portraits of the President. Here he is with his. We packed it up and sent it to President Obama. His staff sent us a thoughtful letter to let us know he received it and thank us for thinking of him.

ARDA Convention and Orlando Vacation

2011-04-03T14:53:00.015-05:00

This past week I attended the annual convention for the American Resort Development Association in Orlando, Florida. AB and DW accompanied me too.

We enjoyed excellent accommodations at Wyndham's Bonnet Creek Resort right by Downtown Disney. AB was especially captivated by the fountain at the resort entrance where you can board buses to each of the popular attractions like the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT...

He also liked breakfast with Alice....

...the Mad Hatter...

...Tigger....

....and Mary Poppins.

Who knew that riding the monorail and entering the Magic Kingdom could be such serious business...

But dancing with Goofy on Main Street USA isn't...

One of the cast member's reaction watching AB dance...

AB reached a big milestone that day too: finally tall enough to ride Space Mountain...

Also popular: the Swiss Family Robinson's canons at Adventure Land...

The day after the conference ended we went to Discovery Cove. That included swimming with dolphins and stingrays.....

AB is an animal kid. He's always taken to dogs, now marine mammals too...

Lessons learned: you might just regret letting your six year old son take your map at EPCOT...

But it all turns out OK...

The exterior of the Chefs de France restaurant at EPCOT's France pavilion offered challenging yet satisfying climbing terrain...

But getting a boy's attention on the menu isn't easy when he's more interested in a fist full of crayons...

But Armand (giving a convincing virtuoso patronizing french Maitre'd performance)...

....shifted attention....

....by wheeling over a cheese and fruit cart bearing Ratatouille too...

Followed by a trip back to DW...

Model Train Show

2011-03-05T13:24:00.003-06:00

Today AB and I met his paternal grandparents, aunt, uncle, and some cousins for the annual High Wheeler Train Show. The show was filled with model trains and tracks...

Some track right down on the floor. Some up on table with a lot of interesting wires and buttons to check out.......

Popular: operating the controller for train races with grandmother looking on...

Fire House Open House II

2011-02-12T14:46:00.003-06:00

Back in October last year our local fire department held an open house. AB got inside to see what life and work as a fireman is like....

More here.

Eastbound Aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder

2010-11-30T23:27:00.000-06:00

Stopping in Havre, Montana....

Taking a snack in the lounge and observation car...

Gazing out the window along the Mississippi river as the sun sets...

Caboose at the Izaak Walton Inn

2010-11-30T14:09:00.003-06:00

Our cabin at the Izaak Walton Inn was a retired caboose from the Great Northern Railway...

AB enjoyed his first trip out on snowshoes....

...and making snowshoe snow angels....

And walking among the cabins...

The inn has a model of a 1940's vintage Empire Builder that circumnavigates the dining room captivating AB....

So much action tired him out too...

Westbound Aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder

2010-11-28T13:57:00.000-06:00

This Thanksgiving we took Amtrak's Empire Builder to the Izaak Walton in Montana just outside Glacier National Park.

AB and DW prepare to board out local commuter train. From there it's into Chicago's Union Station to board the Empire Builder.....

Boarding the Empire Builder at Chicago's Union Station....

Checking out the train up-close during a stop....

Does the sign refer to the equipment, or the boy?

AB's bunk in our cabin...

Breakfast in the dining car...

Shootin' Hoops at Monkey Joe's

2010-11-20T13:55:00.001-06:00

One of AB's cousins had a birthday party at Monkey Joe's today. He liked the free throw game...

Halloween: Trick-Or-Treating 2101

2010-10-31T22:51:00.002-06:00

AB in mummy costume trick-or-treating with balloon....

Carving Jack-O-Lanterns

2010-10-29T13:47:00.002-05:00

AB and DW carving our Jack-O-Lanterns for Halloween 2010......

Climbing Wall

2010-10-19T14:51:00.001-05:00

IMG_5681, originally uploaded by jgphoto12.

AB on the climbing wall before he broke his arm as shown in the previous entry....

Broken Arm

2010-10-05T09:28:00.002-05:00

Three weeks into kindergarten AB plummeted from the money bars into the tambark. Result: broken humerus. But he's recovering pretty well....

Fire House Open House I

2010-10-02T14:44:00.000-05:00

Riding Mom's Bike

2010-08-07T11:09:00.002-05:00

Demolition Man

2010-07-03T15:13:00.002-05:00

Our latest DIY project is renovating some attic space into a home office. The first phase is removing a lot of old cracked plaster and lath from the walls and ceiling. Here's AB "helping" DW demolish a wall today....

Shower Surprise

2010-06-26T19:55:00.002-05:00

After hosin' 'em, AB decided, all on how own with no encoruagement or instagation, to toss an ice-cold surprise on DW wile she showered off after long hot day of work in the garden....

Hose 'Em

2010-06-26T14:51:00.001-05:00

Now that it's summer AB's taken to riding his bike and insisting that someone stand on our porch and "hose 'em" with his squirt gun. He does the shooting too. So be careful if you visit us on your bike....

Eating Cookie Dough

2010-06-20T16:46:00.001-05:00

AB cleans cookie dough off the mixer and expounds on birthday cake and girls as DW bakes chocolate chip cookies..

Nerf Dart Gun

2010-06-20T14:37:00.003-05:00

AB at target practice with the Nerf dart gun he got for his birthday...

AB' Cover Shot

2010-06-04T10:17:00.000-05:00

The Tires and the Alligator Pit

2010-05-09T16:47:00.008-05:00

After making DW breakfast in bed for Mother's Day this year, we headed to AB's maternal grandparents for lunch. Behind and down the hill from their house is a shed where AB found some an old tires....

Older cousins helped him roll tires up the hill, and then roll them back down...

His amazement and laughter as one of those tires rolls 40 yards down the hill...

But at the bottom of this hill is a swampy area known as the "Alligator Pit". No real alligators, just the legend from when DW and her sisters were little girls. May tires rolled into the Alligator Pit. AB and cousins went deep into mud, vegetation, and water to retrieve them. Well, it was mostly his cousins doing the retrieving....

And they found many other lost things too...

And it all ended with a filthy, drenched, and very tired little boy lying down for a rest on the grass....

Victory Day 2010

2010-05-09T11:54:00.000-05:00

Mother's Day: Breakfast in Bed

2010-05-09T10:19:00.000-05:00

This Mother's Day, AB and I prepared breakfast in bed for DW....

AB Gets a Mullet

2010-02-28T19:52:00.000-06:00

Click here to get back to an out-of-sequence post with more on AB's first mullet....

Sledding

2010-02-28T14:46:00.001-06:00

IMG_0470, originally uploaded by jgphoto12.

AB at the park sledding down a hill on a classic saucer.

Shelf Life

2010-02-18T23:37:00.001-06:00

IMG_4806, originally uploaded by jgphoto12.

AB likes to get out of bed at night and play in his room. Then he gets tired and just falls asleep wherever he happens to be. Tonight, it was on an empty booshelf.

Mullet

2010-02-06T15:41:00.004-06:00

AB and I went for a haircut today. Seated in the chair the stylist asked: "how would you like his hair?" "Ask him I replied." And, as the result of hours of paternal coaching, AB chanted: "Mullet, Mullet - Mullet, Mullet....."

Christmas 2009

2009-12-25T22:09:00.008-06:00

Gifts...

With DW...

Goofing off...

Goofing-off with grandmother...

Checking-out a counsin's pictures...

With another cousin...

This Means You!!!

Fire!! Fire!!

2009-12-19T20:01:00.002-06:00

AB helping light a Hanaukah menorah this evening. Good to have mothers within arm's reach of fire wielding little boys....

AB's 1st Rube Goldberg Machine

2009-11-28T13:57:00.000-06:00

AB got a Rube Goldberg-like marble course. I helped him assemble it. Is he happy playing with it? Intense too....

AB's Tae Kwon Do Gi

2009-11-21T19:04:00.004-06:00

DW enrolled AB in Tae Kwon Do lessons at our local park district and he really likes it. We bought him a "gi" ( I just learned that's what you wear when practicing Tae Kwon Do). It arrived yesterday evening. Here's AB trying it on....

AB's DIY

2009-11-16T14:21:00.001-06:00

IMG_0432, originally uploaded by jgphoto12.

AB helping yesterday helping me replace a plywood panels on the bulkhead doors to the cellar at our house

2009 Halloween

2009-11-01T11:07:00.001-06:00

IMG_3658_edited-2, originally uploaded by jgphoto12.

AB and DW just before we set out Trick-or-Treating yestrday evening

Hannibal For Halloween 2009

2009-10-24T23:37:00.001-05:00

IMG_3401, originally uploaded by jgphoto12.

DW and I went to a Halloween costume party last night. I was Dr. Lecter. I though AB would be afraid of me in the mask. He laughed and shouted "Daddy looks funny!!" Ever wonder what family visiting day would look like at Baltimore State?

The party was great. Good food and good wine. But I didn't over-induge in fava beans and nice chianti.....

Asking For Sponsors For Rappelling Down Side of Hotel For Respiratory Health Association

2009-10-14T22:12:00.004-05:00

I'm reluctant to ask here for something so far off-topic, but I'm going to repel down 20+ floors from the top of theWit hotel in Chicago at the corner of State and Lake on October 25th. I'm asking for people to sponsor my descent.

Your sponsorship will help the Respiratory Health Association fund research and treatment for lung diseases like like lung cancer, emphysema, and tuberculosis, not to mention me humiliating, and possibly even injuring, myself. I'm pretty terrified of descending from the roof of this hotel, but my later maternal grandmother suffered from tuberculosis a great part of her life so I figure it's worth a little scare to help others suffering from lung diseases.

No amount of sponsorship is too small. Nor any too generous either. And it's all tax deductible too. If you sponsor through this link you'll even get an instant receipt.

Clicking here will take you to a special website where you can put-in your sponsorship. Or you can PM me too.

Sorry for the short notice, but I just got recruited recently for this and must turn in sponsorship this coming Friday. So, if you'll sponsor me, please go through the sponsorship site or contact me by Noon this coming Friday.

And if any of you will be in Chicago on October 25th, please come by theWit as a spectator.

Thanks,

Nungesser

Helping Mom Decorate Cupcakes

2009-10-06T21:54:00.001-05:00

IMG_2625, originally uploaded by jgphoto12.

AB "helping" DW decorate cupcakes she just baked

Good Bye To Kiddie Land

2009-09-13T19:29:00.004-05:00

If you live in Chicagoland you've probably heard that next weekend will close Kiddie Land, an amusement park for young children that opened in 1929 and has become a Chicago institution.

In October of 2008 DW and I took AB top Kiddie Land and we all had one of the best days ever, especially AB. Today AB and I met my parents, my brother, sister-in-law, and their daughter and son, for one last trip to Kiddie Land. I'm sad it's going to be gone. But I am pleased AB got to go there three times and we have almost as many great photos as we do fond memories.

Here's AB and me in front of the Kiddie Land Marquis sign at the corner of North Avenue and First Avenue in Melrose Park, just west of Chicago.

A Boy, A Sprinkler, A Swing & A Mud Hole

2009-08-15T21:34:00.003-05:00

While DW was taking a nap this afternoon, AB and I played out in the backyard. One of his favorites, rigging-up the sprinkler under the swing....

Radio Controlled Planes

2009-07-20T10:32:00.003-05:00

IMG_0140, originally uploaded by jgphoto12.

Yesterday we met my parents at a radio controlled aircraft event. AB was capitvated with the airplanes. Here he's looking up-close with my dad at an A-1 Skyraider

Bedtime Story

2009-06-16T20:58:00.001-05:00

IMG_2081, originally uploaded by jgphoto12.

DW reading AB a bedtime story about 30 minutes ago

Friends and Family For AB's Birthday

2009-05-25T22:20:00.005-05:00

Yesterday we had friends and family over to observe AB's birthday as well as my brother's birthday...

DW's sister got AB his first skateboard...

And a guitar....

Best use for a sandbox, set up a mechanical engineering project...

It was warm enough for watermelon....

And bicycle sword dueling with AB's uncle....

Greeting a new cousin...

And haning your the deorative bird cage from your mother's garden in your playhouse.....

AB's Shot of DW

2009-05-17T11:25:00.001-05:00

photo.jpg, originally uploaded by jgphoto12.

AB took DW's iPhone and shot this photo of her....

Advice to Refresh and Reinvigorate You While Adopting From Russia

2009-05-16T10:20:00.013-05:00

It's been almost four years since we were last in Russia and almost as long since I offered any practical advice about Russian adoption. Well, those of you who've been there too know how much time you spend waiting for something to happen and how much uncertainty there is in all of it. It's easy for a sense of despair to creep in; the longer you're there, the more you think you'll succumb. This post is about fortifying you against that feeling.

Well right now I'm up in my attic. AB is is playing with Thomas the Tank Engine toys and I'm working on my computer. While he plays and I work, Jimmy Buffet's Songs You Know By Heart plays in the background. Listening to Margaritaville my mind meanders back to some of the worst times on our first trip to Russia. And my mind comes back to how listening to Buffet made me feel better regardless of how bad the situation looked.

After singing along to Cheeseburger In Paradise, Pencil Thin Mustache, Why Don't We Get Drunk And Screw, and the like, I couldn't help but feel refreshed and reinvigorated. Just listening is OK, but it works a lot better if you sing too.

I'm no Parrot Head, but odds are that when you're waiting in a Cold War vintage provincial airport or in the hallways of a government office building waiting to meet with another official on a cold overcast day, the time will pass easier singing along to Boat Drinks. Your mind might even wander to Key West forgetting where you are, if only for a fleeting moment. You'll feel better when it returns.

AB's 5th Birthday

2009-05-12T21:19:00.002-05:00

IMG_0703, originally uploaded by jgphoto12.

AB prepares to eat cake and open gifts on his 5th birthday.

Victory Day

2009-05-09T21:18:00.000-05:00

IMG_0640, originally uploaded by jgphoto12.

AB observes Victory Day...

Walt Disney World - Magic Kingdom

2009-04-18T23:25:00.003-05:00

Click Here to read more and see more photos.

Easter Egg Coloring

2009-04-11T22:19:00.003-05:00

This is the first year AB has been interested in coloring Easter eggs. And this year he was really interested in coloring Easter eggs.

Walt Disney World and Orlando, Florida - Part 1 (The Magic Kingdom)

2009-04-03T09:47:00.022-06:00

This week I had a business conference in Orlando, Florida for the American Resort Development Association. At the tail end of the conference DW and AB joined me. We stayed over at the Wyndham Vacation Ownership resort at Bonnet Creek right by the Walt Disney World Attractions.

On our first day my cell phone battery died. So we had to replace it at an AT&T Store. After that we stopped for a quick lunch and then headed to the Magic Kingdom. AB was pretty happy about going.

He also likes drinking from a Camelbak. I can't tell you glad I was to have the Camelbak at all teh Disney attractions. There's no substitute on a hot day in a crowded theme park for having ice cold water whenever you want it, of you son wants it, and not having to lug a heavy bottle around in one of your hands all day.

We started out in the Magic Kingdom on the Walt Disney Railroad that goes around the perimeter. AB liked the train. So did DW and I.

This reailroad is one of the most overlooked features of the Magic Kingdom for two simple reasons.

You can get around the park without having to weave through all of the congested streets and pathways. There are two stops along the track that let you out in Adventure Land and where Fantasy Land Meets Tomorrow Land. Just board at the park entrance and sit back to get to your stop and avoid all the congestion and rubbish for sale on Main Street USA.

The train is a good shady place with a little breeze to stop and take a rest. Moreover, becuase it's moving a long with a view of the Magic Kingdom's attractions, it keeps children entertained while you and they take a much needed rest and respite from the sun and the heat.

Besides the classic image of Cinderella's castle, this photo shows you one of AB's two favorit things about the Magic Kingdom. Was it the castle or the shows there? No!! It's the street car tracks running up Mainstreet USA towards the castle. AB was completely captivated by by following the tracks. He didn't want to leave.

"AB, lets go to Pirates of the Caribbean" or "Let's go ride the Flying Dumbo" said I. Reply: "Nyet!! Stay with the tracks!!"

He was so captivated with the tracks and so vocally obstinate in opposing going anywhere else, he didn't even notice girls his own age checking him out.

Taken from the tracks for a photo and not happy about it. The only kid not smiling in the Magic Kingdom...

This shot was taken by one of the Disney Photo Pass photographers. This is an excellent service and I recommend using it for the classic posed shots in the Disney attractions.

Their photographers issue you a 2"x 3" card with a numeric code on the back.
You give the photographer your card with the code before they shoot your photo.
Then go to the Disney Photo Pass website later, enter your code and see your the photos.
You do some limited editing and add captions and graphics like in the photo above.
You can order prints, gifts (e.g., mugs, t-shirts), and download the picture files.

But we finally pryed AB away from the tracks and I think he was happy we did.

This leads us in the direction of AB's other favorite thing at the Magic Kingdom - the spring clips holding the chains to the posts on the switchbacks where you queue-up to go on rides.

And AB really liked the nightime light parade....

AB Shaves Again

2009-03-16T08:52:00.001-06:00

AB Checks Out The Shoe Buffer At His Grandparents'

2009-01-19T22:12:00.001-06:00

AB and I spent the night up at my parents. He was captivated by their shoe buffing machine. He spent at least an hour playing with it. Looking at his reflection. Turning it on, turning it off, turning it on turning it off, turning it on.....

Captivated with his grandmother too.

AB's First Trip to Hooters

2008-12-30T19:21:00.003-06:00

While he's on holiday from school, AB came downtown with me today on the train. Three friends from work and I took him for lunch at the Hooters in River North. He thought the mac and cheese was nothing to write home about, but said the atmosphere and service were superlative.

Cristmas Day 2008

2008-12-28T10:55:00.005-06:00

AB, DW, and I started Christmas Morning with a breakfast of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and bacon. The we moved into opening AB's gifts...

After opening gifts at home we drove to Aunt Sandy's to join the rest of DW's family. AB started by trying out his new in-line skates....

Posing with his Aunt Susie...

Getting down to business with DW....

Devouring a chocolate snowman that looks suspiciously like Mr. Hankey...

Displaying one of the animals from the set Aunt Sandy gave him. The precocious boy defies critics who say he's still too young to consort with cougars....

Exhausted by all the excitement, AB rests with his Aunt Sandy....

Elf

2008-12-24T22:36:00.001-06:00

On the busiest night of the year, AB got a six hour pass from St. Nick to join the me and DW's family for a Christmas Eve supper at Magiano's in Schaumburg, Illinois....

Baking Christmas Cookies

2008-12-20T21:40:00.000-06:00

DW and AB baking cookies in preparation for Christmas celebrations.....

Sampling cookie dough.......

And getting a "thank you" from Mom.....

BTW, while not shooting photos like these, I was working in our third-floor attic. And I could smell each batch of new cookies baking in the oven. I savored the aroma as each new batch rose and came out. My favorite - the peanutbutter cookies.

YMCA

2008-12-18T21:20:00.000-06:00

The title says it all....

Yes, if AB has a fiance one day, they are going to see this!

Another Post From Awhile Ago

2008-12-12T21:15:00.003-06:00

If you've followed this blog since I started it, you've noticed a long gap in my posts. I'm now going back now to fill in the gaps. I'm keeping the new material in chonological order, but will post links like this one so you know when I've posted now stuff that you will probably want to go back and see, like AB at the Collings Foundation B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator.

Another Post From A While Ago

2008-12-10T21:35:00.006-06:00

Bed Time Story and Songs Video

2008-11-14T10:52:00.001-06:00

Halloween Trick-or-Treating

2008-10-31T22:53:00.000-06:00

AB costumed himself as a pirate for Halloween this year. My younger brother, his wife, and my niece all moved back from Sao Paulo, Brasil earlier this week and they drove out to our neighborhood to go trick-or-treating and then supper afterwards.

We made it about three blocks down from my house. One of my neighbors opens up parts of her home as a haunted house and others are kind enough to provide coolers or kegs of beer for parents in addation to candy for the children.

It was well after dark when we arrived home. AB and my neiece both came back with big hauls of candy.

AB with his pirate's bandana

Contented after consuming way too much candy

And exhusted in DW's arms

2008 Uptown Halloween Walk

2008-10-26T22:20:00.002-06:00

The local merchants in the business district of our Chicago suburb sponsor a Halloween walk each year the Saturday before Halloween. Basically it consists of a pre-Halloween trick-or-treating at local business store fronts with children getting candy and parents geting brochures and two-for-one coupons and the like. It's a lot of fun. The childen get to wear their costumes and you see people from accross town you won't likely see on Halloween.

AB, DW, and I all enjoyed it and got some good shots.

Riding the Train at Kiddie Land

2008-10-04T22:02:00.005-05:00

Those of you who have children in Chicagoland are probably by now familiar with the Kiddie Land amusement park in Melrose Park. It's a small amusement park the specializes in rides for children about seven and under - those too small to ride the rides at the big amusement parks like Six Flags. My grandparents took my mother there when she was a little girl and my parents took me there when I was AB's age.

Well today it was time for us to take AB to Kiddie Land. We all had a great time, except for at the end when DW and I both were ready to puke after one round on the Tilt-A-Whirl. AB can go on that solo next time.

He loved the roller coaster and that ride that goes up and down dropping you with negative "G's" (that weightless feeling of your stomach coming up through your throat) like the Tower of Terror at Disney's MGM Studios in Orlando.

But his favorite was the miniature train that goes around the perimeter of the park. I think we rode it at least ten times. The best part of the AB screaming when the train went through the tunnels....

Serpentine, Sepentine

2008-09-14T10:04:00.002-05:00

For fans of the Inlaws.....

Trip to the Wisconsin Dells - Water Parks

2008-09-13T13:38:00.006-05:00

I know its been a very long time sine I last posted. My apologies to anyone who is out there still following the blog.

Last weekend DW, AB, and I went up to the Wisconsin Dells, the water park capital of the world. AB had great time. He went down water slides for the first time, loves soaking in hot tubs, and is almost able to swim all on his own.

Our unit had a bunk bed. AB insisted on sleeping in the top bunk. Luckily, he was so tired at the end of each day he hardly played on the bunk bed all that much.

He climbed all over our luggage cart.

And with a few exceptions, smiled a lot.

Collings Foundation B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator

2008-07-26T20:10:00.010-05:00

Following close on the heels of the EAA's Ford TriMotor, the Collings Foundation brough their B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator to the DuPage Airport in the Chicago suburbs, along with other vinatge aircraft from the Second Word War. You've probably noticed by now that I'm kind of into old aircraft. So when a colleague at work told me about the visit, I scheduled a trip for AB and I to go see the planes.

The Collings Foundation's B-17 Flying Fortress (photo courtesy of Warbird Alley)....

AB climbs the ladder to board the B-17 through the nose hatch....

...Checks out the Navigator and Bombadier's positions in the nose of the B-17....

....Moves down the fuselage, AB passes through the bomb bay and inspects the bombload - gifts for the Third Reich below...

...Perches atop the B-17's ball turret. Being as small as he is, AB's well suited to fly the ball turret....

...Inspects the right waist gunner's .50 calibre machine gun and prepares for action....

...Scans the sky for Luftwaffe fighters lurking in the sun preparing to pounce...

...Spots an Me-109. He waits for the Luftwaffe fighter to come into range before opening fire...

....Pours hot lead with "Ma Deuce" into the nimble Me-109....

....And watches as the remains of the stricken Me-109 plumment back to earth...

Another succesful mission completed , AB returns to base to enjoy an aerial victory with an ice cream bar...

First Flight In General Aviation Aircraft

2008-07-12T20:41:00.004-05:00

This weekend the Experimental Aircraft Association had their 1929 Ford TriMotor flying at the Morris, Ilinois Airport and offering rides to the general public.

Seeing as it was my birthday and AB has yet to go for his first ride in a real airplane (meaning one that has propellers, a round piston engine, and a tailwheel), DW and I decided to make the trip. My parents met us at the Morris Airport and we all had a good time.

AB enjoyed it the most. He was captivated by the airplane and being close enough to the ground to actually see things below us and notice our speed. He also really liked chaing the airport cat around and climbing under and through everything after the poor feline.

Here we are by aircraft's the fuselage....

AB as he's boarding the aircraft.....

AB looking down from the co-pilot's window.....

AB at the co-pilot's yoke......

AB captivated looking out the window......

Nungesser and AB aloft......

Our exit after landing......

My father bought AB a toy Ford TriMotor.....

And not long after that AB removed the wheels and asked me to help him put them back on.....

And that poor cat AB pursued......

Grammy's Birthday and Autumn Grandparent Tour

2006-10-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

Today AB and the rest of the Nungesser clan went to visit AB's matrnal grandmother to celebrate her birthday.

Along wthe way we stopped to pick up pumpkins for carving Jack-O-Lanterns for Hallowen. AB was a big help getting the pumkins from the patch to the car.

Then AB headed to Grammy's house for lunch followed by brithday cake.

And then he headed over to his paternal granparents house. Here he started off with a diaper change complimented by a tantrum.

But qucikly recovered his composure and got on the Hog rocker.

Then it was on to his granfather's slot car track. Yes, AB has a 64 year old grandfather with an 8' x 8' slot car tack in his basement. And we wonder what keeps him so youthful?

Finally, PJ's on, it was AB's turn to practice for the family deadlift competition.

Thomas The Tank Engine Arrives At Nungesser Station

2006-10-14T21:03:00.000-05:00

Earlier this month Nungesser's parents took AB and family to lunch where he was throughly captivated by his toy Thomas The Tank Engine. Well the next week Papa Jordy and Nungesser went to Berwyn's Toy Trains in Berwyn, Illinois to get more Thomaslike cars, tracks, and other accessories. Ostensibly Nungesser and Papa Jordy went to buy toys for AB, but I think you all know who really wanted to buy toy trains!

So Nungesser and Papa Jordy brought the purchases home and began to unload and set up. The first order of busness was to unpack the Island of Sodor table we purchased and assemble it. AB enthusiastically offered his "assistance."

Then AB moved in to help position the table's strechers.

"Yeah, feels sturdy Dad, I think it'll work".

"I want those tools on the table, PLEASE!!!!"

"Looks like good work Papa Jordy, but why isn't it finished yet?"

"I'm glad you've finished assembling the table. It'll be strong enough to hold the tracks. Now where are those tracks?"

Pause for a group snap-portrait.

"You want a cheerio?"

"I musn't forget my snack, it's chocolate pudding."

"OK Mom, enough already, I'm mising something!!"

Meanwhile, Papa Jordy moves on to install the track.

AB checks out the newly installed Island of Sodor Hospital, complete with Emergency Room and Helipad for Harold the Helicopter.

AB inspects the Island of Sodor Firehouse and the workings of its garage door.

Papa Jordy unpacks locomotives and cars and sets them on the track...

And AB plays with them.

AB fills Papa Jordy in on how Thomas navigates the tracks around Sodor.

AB tests the railworthyness of his Fuel car before coupling it to one of the locomotives, like Thomas or James.

And demonstrates for Papa Jordy.

Papa Jordy demonstrates track and bridge repair after AB has taken-out a section or two and suggests being gentle with the tracks and bridge supports .

And AB tells Papa Jordy what he thinks of that suggestion...

An aerial view of AB's Sodor.

And AB's triumphant reflection on the fruit of the evening's labors.

Have A Ball

2006-10-05T22:42:00.000-05:00

This is going to be the photo on the holiday card this year for Nungesser and family. The caption:

"'Tis The Season, Have A Ball..."

Brunch

2006-10-05T18:18:00.000-05:00

This morning AB, DW, and Nungesser met Nungesser's parents for brunch not far from our home.

Before we sat down it was necessary for AB to play peek-a-boo with his Mimi and the venetian blinds, and then see if he could outrun his Poppie to the table.

Followed by endless amusement from his Thomas The Tank Engine while waiting to be served.

And then a fond good-bye in the car park.

Skype!

2006-09-13T22:15:00.000-05:00

AB loves Skype, the web-based free communication system that allows you to se and sepak with any other Skype subscriber who has a high-speed Internet connection and a webcam. Nungesser's parents frist started using it to communicate with Nungesser's brother and sister-in-law in Brasil. Now Nungesser, DW , and AB use it too.

AB greets his grandparents on the screen.

"Yes, I know what I'm doing here..."

" I know they aren't in the box and that somehow they can see me throug this little sphere...."

"But I'm stil going to try and press my grandfather's nose.."

Grandparents, Reading, and Jellybellies

2006-09-10T19:46:00.000-05:00

Nungesser's parents visited AB and family today. They arrived just before AB awoke from his nap. After waking-up and a quick change of his soiled Papers Cruisers, Nungesser's dad was AB's frist stop.

AB then insisted on "helping" his grandparents read some of his favorite books.

And he"helped" his mom too.

Later AB made his way down to the kitchen where ordianry household items bcome the favorite toy du jour.

Then it was on to cleaning oy the last of a Costco/Kirkland 4 lb. container of Jellybellies. Yeah, he would have eaten all four pounds if we let him, but there was only about five left so go ahead, finish it off we said.

Another Day At The Park

2006-09-08T21:55:00.000-05:00

This morning Nungesser and AB made another trip to the park near our house.

AB rode the montorcycles.

And he climed up the play set to pose for some photos.

If the following-photos look like there were fingerprints on the lens, look at the photo above once more.

Swinging into the slide entrance.

And down the slide head-first.

Tired out from climing and sliding it's time for a rest.

The Family Handyman

2006-08-19T21:19:00.000-05:00

Nungesser was repairing something in his kitchen with his drill today when AB caught sight of it. When he heard it, there was no stopping him from getting it. So Nungesseer removed the bit and anything else sharp or otherwise dangerous and let AB take his turn on the drill.

Not only is it cool to grip,, the chuck rotates and it makes a lot of noise when you pull the trigger.

Result...guaranteed big smile.

The Bristol Rennaisance Faire

2006-08-12T20:31:00.000-05:00

Today DW and Nungeser took AB along with with Nungesser's bother and sister-in-law to the Britol Rennaisance Faire

AB liked his first pony ride.

Giddy Up!! Ha!!!

AB and Nungessr's brother looking out the window of a pirate ship at the Faire.

AB checking a doorway for hostiles.

Climbing up some stairs with a rope banister.

Listening to the falconer expain how his birds of prey hunt for their lunch.

Riding on an uncles shoulders.

And squeezing his nose.

CamelBak @ The Park

2006-08-04T20:35:00.000-05:00

This morning, Nungesser took AB to the park. AB went up and down each play aparatus, swung on the swings, and bounced back and forth on the motorcycles mounted on big heavy springs. His favorite - going down the covered slide head-first.

He also liked playing the zylophone.

In the summer heat, AB got tried and stopped to rest on the park bench.

And he got thirsty too, so he quickly got the hang of drinking from Nungesser's CamelBak. Next summer maybe he'll get his own.

Summer Evening Out With Family

2006-08-03T21:17:00.000-05:00

Nungesser's brother and sister-in-law were in town from Brasil again staying with Nungesser's parents. They all decided to join for supper on a balmy August evening and show AB a good time.

We started out with a group shot of AB with Nungesser, his aunt and Uncle, and the not-to-be left out sippee cup, before walking to supper.

AB likes checking out and trying on his grandfather's flamed racing hat.

He likes playing with his grandmother's necklace too.

Being carried along for dessert at Stone Cold Creamery by his Aunt.

And stopping to "pull his uncle's finger".

There were some big frog statutes on the sidewalk as we walked along. AB was compelled to stop and give the frog a hug.

Then climb up on top of his head.

Sprinkler!!

2006-07-24T22:02:00.000-05:00

How come it seems like nearly all little children love sprinklers? Well AB is among them and he proved it today in our backyard.

And this helps water his mother's herm garden.

Stopping for a drink too.

Toilet Training Begins

2006-06-25T22:09:00.000-05:00

AB recently started his first lessons on toilet training. This is going to be a challenge.

Luckily for us he likes M&M and flushing the toilet. So here is the deal, Mom or Dad puts AB on the potty, and he goes, AB gets a few M&Ms and gets to flush the potty all by himself as a reward.

Mom puts AB on the Potty.

Doing OK to start out.

"Hey, help me, I can't reach that book. And can we gt a better selection? Something good like Dinasour Roar, or something by Sandra Boynton or Joseph Heller? All you guys have here is old issues of Parents Magazine!"

"Mom!! I've had enough!! Get me down from here!!"

ICA Family Picnic

2006-06-17T20:39:00.000-05:00

In June of each year the adoption agency Nungesser and DW hired holds a picnic ge-together for their client families to meet. It's a great opportunity for families to meet each other, for prospective parents to talk to parents and get a personal account of what the adoption process is like, and for the agency staff to see AB in person and see for themselves how he's grown up in the last year.

We got AB a shirt from Cafe Press with Orenburg (Оренбург) written in Russian on it for the picnic. It looks cute, plus anyone there who can read Russian doesn't have to ask where AB is from. OK, just about everyone there who spoke and read Russian already know where AB is from, so it was mostly just cute.

There were a lot of toys, games, and activities for children of all ages. AB liked teh inflatable crawl-through tube.

He is still captivated by doors. He can spend hours opening and closing them, even big heavy ones like they had at the picnic.

And by the end when we got in the car to go home, AB was wiped-out.

A Summer Day at the Grandparents'

2006-06-11T20:19:00.000-05:00

Today we took a trip up to Nungesser's parents' house to spend a day with family while Nungesser's brother and sister-in-law were visiting from Brasil.

AB enjoyed "playing" the paino.

Posing for a photo with DW.

Playing on the slot car track with his cousins.

Acrobatics with Nungesser's brother.

And challenging Nungesser's brother to a saber duel.

AB and the Vacuum

2006-06-10T21:02:00.000-05:00

One of AB's favorite things to play with is the vacuum. If you take it out, he insists on pushing it around the floor. Unfortunately, he usually doesn't clean up very much and you have to go back over it again, but he has a good time.

AB displays his prowess meneuvering the vacuum about the kitchen.

DW shows how much she appreciates AB's help...

Pet Parade

2006-06-07T22:21:00.000-05:00

Every June there is a Pet Parade near our home. We took AB out to see the parade. In honor of the the World Cup football tournament about to start, AB wore his Ronaldo Brazillian football player uniform that Nungesser's little brother and sister-in-law (who live in Brazil) brought for AB on one of their trips to the States.

After the parade we headed home and got some shots with the toys and play house in the back yard.

Nungesser's parents arived with a new pop-up toy.

And at the end of it, AB was really tired.

2006-05-16T22:14:00.000-05:00

AB's second birthday party.

A Little Post-Supper Apple Sauce

2006-04-14T22:08:00.000-05:00

AB Enjoys a little apple sauce after a supper out.

AB's New Swing Set And Play House

2006-04-12T22:07:00.000-05:00

Nungesser and Nungesser's Dad assembeling AB's Swing Set.

AB lends a hand, sort of...

AB tests out the slide.

And heads to dinner with Nungesser, DW, and Grandparents.

Russian Aircraft On Our Calendar This Month

2006-04-06T00:15:00.000-05:00

Our calendar at home has photos of restored, and currently airworthy, historical aircraft. This month's photo features a Polikarpov I-15 (Biplane) and an I-16 (Monoplane). Both are from the 1930's inventory of the Soviet Red Air Force. Here is AB and Nungesser by the calendar.

Opening Day 2006

2006-04-05T21:12:00.000-05:00

The day before the Cubs' 2006 home opener, a Thursday, a client of mine called to say he had extra seats and asked if I'd like to join him. I told him I'd love to, but I was bringing AB downtown to spend the day at a children’s center and I didn't think I'd have enough time after the end of the game to get out of the Wrigleyville mayhem and pick-up AB.

"No problem" he said, "bring AB with, I'd love to meet him!"

"Are you serious?" I replied. "Have you ever gone to a super crowded sporting event with someone who is just shy of two years old?"

"Come, bring him, it's no problem. I even have an extra ticket for him."

"OK, send over the tickets and we'll see you tomorrow."

So AB and I took the train downtown together the next morning. At the station he hopped in his stroller and we headed over the Bright Horizons Children’s Center. I dropped him of and headed for work.

Our ride together on the train.

At around 12:30 PM I walked back to Bright Horizons and picked up AB. We hopped in a cab and drove north on Clark Street, then headed west to Racine to avoid crowds, and got out of the cab just north of Addison.

We lost one of AB's mittens getting out of the cab. It was cold so we had to find a new pair. We first hit several outdoor vendors around the corner of Clark and Addison but found no children’s mittens or gloves. I know it was going to be a long shot, but we had to try.

We crossed to the south side of Addison to one of the shops that sells every form of imaginable baseball attire and memorabilia. About the only thing they did not have in stock was children’s gloves and mittens.

Over the past year I’ve learned two secrets of parenthood. The first is that a lot of keeping your kids out of trouble involves playing innocuous, but effective, Jedi mind tricks on them. The second is improvising. Here we employed the second.

With no mittens or gloves to be had, I spied some children’s cocks with the Chicago Cubs’ logo. In a pinch, doubled-up, they’ll do as mittens. And so it was. A good thing too, because the only other thing I think they did not have was a micro sized Cubs hat for AB. Those socks filed double duty, first as jerry rigged mittens, then as a first Cubs’ game souvenir.

Hands covered we entered Wrigley Field and started for our seats. On our way I decided AB had better get a change before we sat down. So we ducked into the first men’s room and, to my delighted astonishment, I found that next to the urinal trough was the coveted Koala Kare baby changing station. A lot of Chicagoans may bitch about the Tribune not spending enough money on the Cubs’ payroll, but as far as this Dad is concerned, spending on the Koala Kare was money well spent.

Just as we were getting AB’s trousers back on the first inning came to an end and we were mobbed in a sea of gentlemen pushing and shoving their way towards the trough. We pushed our way against the tide and made it out back into the walkway and headed to our seats.

We found our seats, sat down and I introduced AB to my client and one of his colleagues who had also joined him for the game. Then the fun began. AB has yet to develop an interest in watching baseball, but he is interested in walking around. He would not sit still either on my lap or in his seat so I decided to take him out for a little walking around.

After getting the obligatory photos of AB’s firs opening day, we walked around a bit. Then he refused to stay still and insisted on walking up and down the stairs between sections in the lowers deck. It’s easy steps for him because he can hang onto the sides of the seats as he goes up and down. But he’s underfoot of every beer, peanut, and hot dog vendor that hawking their wares.

By the end of the third inning my client had had enough of the cold and suggested we depart. I’ll have to admit it, but I was relived when I sighed “OK, if you’ve had enough.”

Out of the stadium we strode to catch a cab on Addison between Clark and Sheffield. Soon we were back on good ‘ole LaSalle Street, dropped my client off at his office and, because we had some extra time before our train was scheduled to depart, were on our way to mine.

We stayed at my office long enough for AB figure out how to open the door to my office by himself and escape out onto the floor. He also enjoyed pushing my chair and spinning it around. Another diaper change and we were on our way to the station.

We arrived in enough time to board the train early and get two seats facing each other. You don’t need the extra room with a two year old and all the extra gear, but it’s sure nice to have if you can get it. Except that instead of watching things go by out the window as he usually does, AB decided that he wanted to spend the whole 35 minute ride leaping back and forth between the seats. And because AB is not yet strong or agile enough to successfully make the leap himself, I toss him on the out-bound leg and catch him on the in-bound leg.

After 35 minutes of non-stop tossing and catching, I was glad when we reached the station near our house and disembarked. After a short stroller ride him, AB was home and I was wiped. I told DW that I regretted leaving her as primary caregiver, but my reserves were tapped and I’d need some down time to replenish.

It was a great time. Both AB and I had a blast and, regardless of how exhausting, it’s one of those days I’ll cherish forever. Will we do it again. I can only say what Cubs fans have said for so long - there's always next year!

Ashton Beau's Disgruntled Toddler Face

2006-03-15T14:29:00.000-06:00

This past Saturday the weather in Chicago was unusually balmy. So we went to the park. At the park Ashton Beau kept spinning the wheel on another kid's bike. DW first nicely told him "no" and asked him t stop. When he didn't, she went to a more stern "no" and asked him to stop again. Still no compliance. Third time was a charm. She took him firmly by the arm and escorted AB away from the bike to another part of the playground, much to his apparent dismay.

I Can Eat My Snack By Myself

2006-03-05T21:34:00.000-06:00

Ashton Beau usually has a snack just before bedtime. The other evening it was Swiss Miss Choclate and Vanilla Pudding. Why didn't I get some of that when I was a kid? What ever happened to "eating before bed will give you bad dreams?"

AB has gotten pretty good using his utensils to engorge on his snack....

..... Finishing them off.....

....And washing them down....

Evening With Mom

2006-03-05T21:30:00.000-06:00

A couple of sweet snaphots of Ashton Beau one evening with his Mom.

Ashton Beauregard's Happy Face

2006-03-05T21:26:00.000-06:00

Some shots of Ashton Beauregard's Happy Face.

More Scary Face!!

2006-03-05T21:22:00.000-06:00

I took the last Scary Face photos with my phone becuase my camera was broken. I've replaced the broken camera and now have much better Scary Face photos for you.