Lego Love

We made it to the LEGO store in the Mall of America!

I wish I had gotten more pictures, but there was so much to check out inside the store and so many giant LEGO creations above and around and inside the store that it was a lot to visually take in!

I DID remember to ask Dane if we could at least get a picture by the giant LEGO sign outside the store. 

And these are the poses he chose to give for a photo opportunity.....

Ninjas!

Dane & Brody were lucky enough to meet 2 of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when we were at the Amusement Park in the Mall of America!!!

They first got in line, then changed their mind and left the line.

After I convinced Dane we could print off a picture of them with the Ninja Turtles and hang it up in their bedroom, he decided they could wait in line again to meet the 2 turtles.

Apprehensive.....peeking around the corner to see what was going on with the kids in front of them in line, to see how their visit was going.....

Getting a hug from Michaelangelo!

And a hug from Donatello!

Donatello, Dane, Brody, Michaelangelo

Ka-chow! 

Brody, who calls himself 'The White Ninja' sometimes, was all about striking a Ninja pose with the turtles when asked to do so!

Dane was holding back a little and somewhat unsure about the situation, 

although he is now glad they waited in line, 

since they were almost the last ones to get a picture with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles before SpongeBob and Patrick were up next!

What a disappointment that must have been for the next kid who was thinking he was going to get a picture with the Ninja Turtles and got SpongeBob instead!

Each getting a Ninja Turtle button to take home!

 Exciting times!!!

Ronald McDonald House Minneapolis

We have been saving pop tops to donate to the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis.

Brody & I stayed there for about a month in late summer of 2010, following his diagnosis of Neutropenia.

It was a wonderful place that made the horrible situation a little easier to tolerate.

 

Ever since August of 2010, we have been collectors of pop tops, as have many family members and friends. 

We have many different people who save or collect them and give them to us so we can donate them each time we make our trip to the Twin Cities. 

It's nice to check back in to somewhere that made a difference to us!

We got a large collecting house once on a visit to the Ronald McDonald House in Bismarck. We had it nearly full this time, and the boys were having a good time dropping bunches of tops into the giant house they had in the front area of the house!

 *****************

Flash back to August of 2010, Brody and Mom with Ronald in front of the house.....

 

Fast forward to June 2013, 

Brody and Mom with a 'new' Ronald on a new bench in front of the same house!

Cheeeeeeese 

 Dane & Brody with Ronald

 2013

Twins biggest fan!

You wouldn't know it by looking at him, but Marby is a pretty big Twins Baseball fan!

:)

Or maaaaybe, just maybe, Dustin and Dane went to a Twins baseball game with Steve & Caleb the night of Brody's procedure when not much else was on the agenda except for feeling better! 

Maybe.

And maybe they got some ice cream in a little baseball hat and saved it for Marby.

Maybe.

Day after.....

Brody was back to his normal self the day after his bone marrow biopsy....

eating powdered donuts....

cheesin' it up.....

and practicing his drawing and writing!!!

Paging Dr Voeller......

Dane really put his new doctor items to good use, 

attending to a small cut on Brody's foot....

Dr visit!

Our intent for the trip to Minneapolis was for Brody to have his bone marrow biopsy done.

We did manage to squeeze in some family and fun, but our first priority was Brody's appointment on Thursday morning.

 

Dane was along for comic relief & distraction, doing an excellent job!

The boys each got a baggie labeled for them, filled with real doctor stuff: masks, gloves, tape, bandaids, syringes, etc. They were in heaven....HEAVEN, I tell you!!!

Paging Dr Daner, Dr Dane Voeller......

And this giant Magna-Doodle was a hit!

'Dane Voeller, plus a :)'

Enjoying a few bubbles while waiting for Brody to wake up!

He's awake!!!

(And was just trying on the split to cover IV's, item from his doctor kit)

Digging in to the breakfast that was ordered for him. 

Bacon first!

Changed clothes, now having some pancakes, eggs, and juice! He was a hungry guy!

Little Brodes, watching some TV, while fully waking up. Awwww :)

Playing with some bubbles...

Making a few ninja moves at Dad's face.

Paying our way out of the underground parking garage.

Ready to go find Dane, who was hanging out with Aunt Celeste and family for a while!

The Journey Clinic at Amplantz Children's Hospital, where Brody's procedure took place.

Brody got to pick out a new toy for being such a tough and brave boy. 

He chose this leaf-blower and has been holding down the button ever since!!!

Clearly satisfied with his selection!