Ronie's Tour of the Hospital

We went on a tour of Fairview Ridges Hospital to get a better idea of what to expect for Ronnie's surgery on November 9th. He is having his tonsils and adenoids removed and tubes put back in his ears. The nurses explained things to Ronnie and another little boy in kid terms, then spoke with us about what we would encounter the day of the surgery. They did a great job and really answered a lot of questions - making us feel a bit better about things.


Rubbing the yummy smelling "chapstick" on the mask - Ronnie chose pink lemonade.


Ronnie plays the part of "Sleep Doctor" with the bear.



Ronnie removed the bear's tonsils - then tried to put them back in. Nurse Katie let him know that on the day of his surgery, they would take his tonsils out, but wouldn't put them back in.

Ronnie administers an ice pack on the neck of the bear after his tonsilectomy.

Ronnie listens to the bear's heart.

Ronnie checks the bear's blood pressure.

Nurse Janine reads a Power Rangers book to Ronnie. She did a great job with voices! He was totally enthralled.

Nurse Janine puts the oxygen monitor on Ronnie's finger.

We've been getting Ronnie ready for the surgery... all we really have to do is keep him healthy. Unfortunately, he got sick last Thursday and had a fever of 104. We broke the fever, but he now has a cough. If he can't get that under control before his pre-op appointment this Thursday, we will have to postpone the surgery. Say prayers for us that he gets well ASAP!

Carving Pumpkins!

Doug did a great job of carving the pumpkins that we picked out at the pumpkin patch. Ronnie wanted one with big eyes, a small nose and a huge smile. I ended up coloring the top of the pumpkin in black marker to make it look like hair... It was the pumpkin version of Ronnie!



Starting to carve....


Happy Carver!

Pumpkin Patch With Ronnie!

Each year, we head to the pumpkin patch in Belle Plaine to pick out pumpkins and play in the hay pile. This year was a bit chillier than in year's past - but we still had a GREAT time!


Ronnie and Mommy ready for fun!


Ronnie riding a pony... giddyup cowboy!


"Don't follow me - I'm picking out a pumpkin!"


Ronnie and the pumpkins he picked out.

The Shakopee Dahlbergs have their pumpkins! Time for a tractor ride back to the truck.


Getting a wagon ride to the truck with the pumpkins.

Ronnie and Daddy jumping in the hay pile!

Ronnie would yell "Cannonball!!!" as he jumped in the hay pile!

Ronnie as a scarcrow!

It was a great day - and now, we are ready for Halloween!!!

Ronald McDonald House Gala

Every year, we join Beth and Gordon and others from Eide Bailly for a night of fundraising for the Ronald McDonald House. It has become the Shakopee Dahlberg's charity of choice. Eide Bailly sponsors a table at the event, and after the silent auction, there is dinner, presentations and a live auction. This year, Lauri bid on 3 children's books, and after hovering around the table to ensure no one bid higher, she won them! "Monkey With a Tool Belt", "Up North At the Cabin" and "I Like Me" will be read to Ronnie this week at bedtime!

Beth and Lauri all dressed up for the Gala!

After the Gala, we met Beth's sister, Judy (and her husband, Brad) for a cocktail to celebrate Judy's 50th birthday!

Cancer Walk 2009

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - and one of Lauri's best friends, Beth is a 1-year Survivor! To celebrate, and raise money for "the cure", Beth's family formed a team and took part in the Minneapolis Cancer Walk. The team name was "Beth's Bosom Buddies" and the members included Beth, Lindsay, Bryan, Christi, Judy and Brad. It was in the 20's that morning, with a light dusting of snow ~ brrrrrrrrrr....... but FUN!!!!


The shirts say "The Best "wine" Rack in Northern Iowa!" Beth's family is from Iowa, and we LOVE wine!

Only in Minnesota can you make a snow angel in October!

The Minneapolis Survivors!!! Beth is on the left side with the fashionable hot pink scarf on!

Enjoying some pink champagne in the car after the walk!

Beth's Bosom Buddies!

Beth and Lauri

Lisa Giles Visit

While Alyssa was taking some much-deserved time off to get married and go on her honeymoon, Lauri's coworker from Oklahoma flew up to Minneapolis to help out with the college recruitment efforts at Eide Bailly. Lisa came over to the house for dinner - and she and Ronnie played and played and played. Lisa is an Oklahoma Sooner - so she brought Ronnie a Sooner football. Luckily, he gave the "GO orange, GO big blue - fight, fight BSU" cheer!


Ronnie and Lisa Giles (Lauri's coworker from Oklahoma)


Ronnie dressed up in his "Knight" gear - ready to play with Lisa.

Alyssa's Wedding

Lauri's coworker, Alyssa got married to Cole Johnson on October 3rd. The wedding was in Bismarck, ND, and Lauri, her boss Lisa F. and another coworker, Lisa G., attended the event. The wedding was beautiful, and the reception was a blast!


Alyssa & Cole Johnson


Lisa, Alyssa and Lauri