1/19/2004

It's already been a busy year and it's still January. 

Kim, the kids, and I spent 12/29 - 1/2 in Tampa, FL bringing in the new year with family.  We were able to visit with the my cousin Michelle and her family (the Mann's), my sister and her family (the Danese's), my Aunt JoAnn and her family (the Ocho's),  Aunt Vi, Aunt Marlene, my Mom and Emmett and Grandpa Mixon.  The weather was perfect and it was nice seeing everyone again.  Eric just graduated from the University of Florida and David was home from Princeton (where he's a sophomore and plays football).  Kim and I took several pictures and video clips.  The albums are hosted out of my home using my consumer DSL account (1.5mbps/128kbps).  You'll want to right click on the video files and save them to your hard drive before viewing (my upload speed is only 128kbps). 

I spent 1/6-1/10 in Las Vegas for the annual International Consumer Electronics Show.  All I can say is WOW!!!  This is the fourth consecutive year I've attended and this was the largest one yet.  This year I met Leo Laporte and Patrick Norton from TechTV's, The Screen Savers.  I met Stephanie Siemiller from TechTV's, Fresh Gear.  I met Jackie "The Jokeman" Martling from the Howard Stern's Show and lastly I met one of my hero's Terry Bradshaw.  Terry is as cool in person as he is on TV.  I took several pictures and at least one video clip from Bill Gates' pre-conference keynote.

On 1/17 Kyle, Jacob, and I went to the Bradley Braves college basketball game in Peoria, IL.  We were given tickets to a Party Box for the Bradley vs. SIU game.  All the free popcorn, nacho's, coke and beer you can consume.  We had a very good time even though the home team (Bradley) lost.

In a few weeks I have to fly out to San Jose, CA.  An associate and I have two days of meetings with Cisco Systems, then we're headed to Rohnert Park (just Northeast of San Francisco) to visit one of our large operation centers. 

Kyle's still a Boy Scout, an Honor Student, and a member of the Bloomington Jr. High Orchestra.  In fact he'll be playing violin in a concert one night this week.  Football season is over, so Kyle's had a lot of free time on his hands not having practice four nights a week. 

Jacob is now taking Shotokan Karate lessons at our health club, Four Seasons Family Fitness Center.  Can you imagine Jake with a black belt?  God help us.  In fact just today Kim reprimanded him for fighting a 1st grader at the indoor playground at McDonald's.  As Kyle described it, "Jacob was putting the Smack Down on some older kid."  Not sure what caused it, but for a 5 year old, he stands his ground.

Jessica is now taking Tap and Ballet classes and is a busy pre-kindergartener.

Kim is the busiest person in our house.  She's been running the kids all over town, working at home on her transcription business and watching other children part time.  Not to mention working on our taxes and making sure the kids and I do everything we're supposed to.

Keep checking back and don't forget to visit our new site at 5nolans.com.

2/1/2004 - 6/22/2004

It's been a very busy and emotionally trying year.  The first week of January I spent at CES (Consumer Electronic Show) in Vegas.  The second week of January I flew down to Tampa with Kim and the kids to visit family and see my grandfather off, who was moving to Hawaii. 

The third week in February I was sent to San Jose for 3 days of meetings at the Cisco Executive Briefing Center  and was supposed to spend 2 days in San Francisco for a field office visit.  However, while in San Jose, Emmett Lee, my stepfather of 25 years passed away unexpectedly from cancer.  Kim and the kids immediately flew back to Florida while I made flight arrangements from San Francisco back to Florida.   Kim and the kids flew back to Illinois after about a week.  I stayed with my mom for about 3 weeks at her home in Ormond Beach trying to help her through this very hard time.  While attending the funeral for Emmett, Kim and I learned her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and I learned my father's wife was battling ovarian cancer.

The third week of May, Kim flew back to Jacksonville for her sister Julie's High School graduation and left me home alone with the kids for a week.  When Kim returned home, I received word that my grandfather in Hawaii passed away from his long battle with cancer.  My grandfather, Charlie Mixon, was a retired Chief Warrant Officer III, US Army and retired business owner.  My grandfather owned and operated a Texaco Full Service Station from the late 60's through the early 80's.  I plan to create some sort of digital memorial when I get some pictures and his military records.

Our family brought his remains back to Florida at the end of May, so I flew down to Jacksonville for the funeral.  After the funeral, I drove down to Tampa for my cousin Nicole's High school graduation.  After a week in Florida, I flew back to Bloomington. 

It's been one hell of a hard year so far, but things are starting to look up.  Kim, the kids, and I are headed to Maui for 14 days.  We'll be attending our family reunion on Maui with my mother, nephew, and niece.    My sister and brother-in-law will miss the reunion but will meet us on Molokai for a few days before we head back to Illinois.  While on Maui, Kim and I reserved a Harley Davidson Fat Boy for three days to celebrate our 16th Wedding Anniversary and my 36th Birthday.  I can't wait to feel the wind in my face as we head up the coast to Hana and to the top of Haleakala.  I inherited Emmett's 98 Yamaha Virago 1100 Special and broke it in during Bike Week (2004).  Since February I've already put 1700 miles on it, changed the oil twice and installed a K&N Performance Air Filter.  I can't wait to cruise around the island on a HOG!

6/23/2004

II know it's been a long time since we last updated our site.  We experienced some technical difficulties with FrontPage when we upgraded laptops.  I just got it working again last night.

7/5/2004

We're in Maui on day 4 of 14 of our vacation.  Kim and I took the Harley Davidson Road King on the Road to Hana yesterday.  That was one heck of a long, winding ride.  Kyle and I jumped off a 40' foot waterfall into one of the Royal Ponds.  Check out the photo's thus far: Maui Vacation

7/7/2004

The Kamaka / Aiwohi Family reunion started last night.  The evening began with cocktails and the recognition of the remaining elders: Aunty Eva, Aunty Ulu, and Uncle Charlie (3 of the original 18 children of Sarah Kamaka).  Then we recognized first and second cousins.  Our cousin Joseph "Chip" Kamaka, was the host and is an MD on Maui.  He put Viagra in all our gift bags.  Like Kim said, "Only your family would do something like that".  I'll create a more fitting tribute to our Hawaiian heritage when we return home.  Until then, enjoy the presentation my cousin Chinky Mahoe put together: A Tribute to Sarah.  Here are some pictures from the Luau last night: Kamaka Reunion 2004 (1st night luau) and don't forget to check out our other vacation pictures: Maui Vacation

7/8/2004

Well, I got a new tattoo today.  I went to the only Hawaiian Owned Tattoo Parlor on Maui, Sacred Center Tattoo (Kihei, Maui, HI).  After much discussion with my cousin Timmy Kamaka,  I learned that Hawaiian men get leg bands (columns on leg versus bands around the arm).  I met with Glenn at Sacred Center and together we designed a very personally meaningful Hawaiian tattoo.  Essentially the triangles represent members of my family.  The empty triangles are tributes to my fallen grandparents and step father.  The triangles with the lines represent family strength (like the Hawaiian sail) and there's one for my Mom, my wife, my three kids, and my sister.  The solid triangles represent my sisters' husband and their two kids.  The eel in the bottom panel is our family Homakua.  According to Samson and Glenn, I earned Warrior status today.  A tattoo of this magnitude generally takes two or more sittings.  I pounded it out in one day.  The tattoo took six hours to complete and I can't begin to describe the exquisite pain. 

7/14/2004

We made it back to Illinois in one piece.  We left Molokai at 7AM on an 8 passenger charter to Maui.  Then rented a van for the day and toured the Iao Valley and took pictures at the Needle.  We then caught a 4:45 PM flight from Maui to Chicago (7 hours) and arrived at 5:30 AM CDT.  Then the Regional Jet to Bloomington at 8:52 AM CDT.  We are wiped out!  While laid over at O'Hare, I put together a complete gallery of all our vacation photo's on Maui and Molokai.  I need to tweak some home videos but it may be a couple weeks before I'm ready to post them.  Check out the complete 5Nolan's Hawaii 2004 Photo Gallery.

A recap of the last 14 days:

7/1 - Left for Maui

7/2 - 7/9 - Condo at Kihei (bicycle ride down Haleakala, rode a Harley Road King to Hana & Lahaina, & Got a tattoo)

7/6 - 7/8 - Kamaka - Aiwohi 1st Cousins Reunion at the Sugar Plantation House

7/9 - Took ferry to Molokai (90 min. of rough seas)

7/9 - 7/13 - Explored Molokai and played on Aunty Viola's farm.  Rode my uncle Weldon's Harley Sportster 1200 around Molokai.

7/11 - Celebrated Aunt Viola and my birthday (my 36th) at the Molokai Ranch.  Very good dinner!

7/13 - Took a 7 AM, 8 Passenger charter to Maui, rented van and toured Iao Valley, & Paia.  Caught a 4:45 PM flight to Chicago (7 hour flight), then a 8:52 AM Regional Jet home.

7/19/2004

I promised myself when I returned from vacation, I'd dedicate a page to my family and our Hawaiian heritage.  During the planning meeting for the next family reunion, I took responsibility for creating and maintaining a "Family" site for the Kamaka and Aiwohi Ohana.  This will take many months to complete and I will begin work very soon.  However, I still like plan to add information about Hawaiian history and the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy.  Being a descendent of the Kamehameha family, we owe it to ourselves to spread the word: Kau Inoa (sign up to build a nation...)   

7/26/2004

I bought a new motorcycle today.  Thanks to Yamaha Factory Financing I was able to trade in the 1998 Virago 1100 SE for a 2005 RS Warrior (Black & Cherry w/ Flames).  Of course when you add accessories when you order the bike, the costs are applied to the price of the bike.  So I added a few performance items like Vance & Hines Pro Pipe HS, Speedstar Chrome Air Cleaner Assembly, and the Dynojet Power Commander III USB.  I'm hoping to gain about 15 to 20% more HP with these upgrades.  We'll see how it works out.  In addition, I ordered the Boulevard Windshield to help keep the bugs off me.  I'm pretty excited about the new bike and can't wait for it to come in.  Matt Jones (dealer) at Sportland tells me the bike should be here in 5 to 10 days and the parts will be here by Friday.  I'll post pictures as soon as I get it!

7/29/2004

My new motorcycle came in today!  I was out sick with the flu and feeling like I was on Death's doorstep when I got a call from Sportland Yamaha.  The salesperson (Matt Jones) told me the bike came in last night and they were prepping it.  The performance accessories haven't come in yet, but the Service Manager would prefer we wait till the motor is broken in before we start modifying it.  So with a very bad sore throat, chills, and body ache I went up and closed the deal.  I did put about 65 miles on it to break it in.  Hopefully I'll be back on my feet tomorrow and really put the Warrior through it's paces.

7/30/2004

After a night of extreme throat pain and very little sleep I had to go see the doctor.  As it turns out I don't have the flu, just a severe case of strep throat.  This is my first experience with strep and I tell you, it's no joke.  I was literally in tears trying to eat or even swallow saliva.  Thank GOD for Penicillin!  The Warrior will have to rest in the garage until this pain subsides.

7/31/2004

The pain is now equal to a normal sore throat.  I'm going ridding today!!!

8/12/2004

I just picked my bike up from Sportland Yamaha.  Cameron in the service department completed the 600 mile service and installed my performance parts: V&H Pro Pipe, Speedstar Air Assembly, and a DynoJet Power Commander III.  Check out the new pictures: Warrior

8/23/2004

I spent the last two weekends riding with friends from work.  A week ago Saturday, we had 18 motorcycles in our group and we rode about 100 miles.  Stopping at 5 small town bars along the route (Lake Bloomington, LeRoy, Chenoa, Gridley, and Towanda).  Yesterday, Ole and I met up with about 8 other riders and ran out to Peoria, IL for the TT races.  I've had the bike for 1 month and I already have 1000 miles on it.

Check out the Photo Gallery and About Us for updated images.

9/10/2004

Today's my mom's birthday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!   We wish we could be there to celebrate with you.  I'm glad to hear your beach house is intact and your power is back on.  I guess it's time to start preparing for Ivan.

Boy, it's been a busy couple of weeks.  Our prayers go out to our family and the other fine people of Florida .  Those damn hurricanes have been wreaking havoc on my home state and generating a tremendous amount of work for us in the Insurance industry.  Without going into details, State Farm has been preparing for and responding to our customers needs throughout Florida.  I can only compare State Farm's preparation and response to these catastrophes to a military type operation.  I'm proud to say I work for this company.

My buddy Darrell and I are co-owners of the Johnson City Trouser Snakes (Johnson City is in Tennessee and is exactly half-way between Jacksonville, FL and Detroit, MI).  We successfully completed the 2004/05 Central Illinois Fantasy Football League draft and hope to win that elusive championship trophy.  Yeah Pete, we know we owe you $100!  Check out the Johnson City line up here:

This Sunday Kyle starts his third season of football with the Bloomington Cougars travel team.  Kyle is on the varsity team and plays both offense (tight end) and defense (defensive end).  We went to Olympia last week for a scrimmage and Kyle played very well.  He dropped one pass, but made several great blocks and tackles.  Looks like it'll be another exciting season.

Tonight we had to run Jacob to the doctor.  He bumped his head at a neighbors house and needed a couple of staples.  He's one tough little guy and is fine now.  Jake just started Tiger Cubs, so it looks like we're back in scouting.

Jessica is sweet and pretty as ever.  She and I are signed up for Start Smart Sports.  This is the same program Jacob and I participated in twice before and is a great program for teaching young children sports fundamentals.  I'm looking forward to the class.  It was a lot of fun with Jake and I can only imagine how much fun it will be with Jess.

Kim is taking great care of us all.  She's been working hard on transcription and volunteers more hours than most of us work.  She's the Cougar's Team Mom, She teaches CCD, and assists with both Jacob and Jessica's classes.  We had a nice visit with her sister Julie and Julie's boyfriend Ryan.  They flew up and spent a week with us and we gave them a preview of family life.  That week was probably the best form of birth protection available ;-).  We all had fun and got to show them around town.

I guess that pretty much covers everything we've been up to since August.  Keep checking back...

11/06/2004

I'm a pretty crappy blogger.  I let weeks and even months go by without updating this page.  As you can imagine with three kids, we pretty much run non-stop week to week.  Kyle just finished his  JFL 2004 football season but will start wrestling soon.  Jessica just finished Start Smart Sports and will continue with gymnastics, and Jacob is still in swimming and Cub Scouts with basketball kicking off in a week.  So as you can see we stay pretty busy after-hours.  I should add that Kyle gave up violin and plans to start learning bass.  Good thing we only rented the violin (for the past 3 years)!

We're all healthy and happy and taking it a day at a time.  I'll try to post another update before December.  Later...

11/24/2004

I had a really weird experience today.  While shoveling the 6.5" of snow off my driveway (in the driving snow), I saw a streak of lightning crawl through the clouds followed by thunder.  I was standing in the middle of a small snow thunderstorm.  Anyway it was weird.  Did I mention I hate snow and it hasn't stopped yet!

12/30/2004

The Nolan gang (including Rusty Dog) just returned home from our annual Florida Christmas vacation.  We left Bloomington on 12/17 and made it to the hotel in Kennesaw, GA (just North of Atlanta) within 11 hours.  Thanks to our good friends Pete and Amie for the employee rate at the Country Inn & Suites.  The two room suite was SWEET!  After about 6 more hours on the road, we made it to my Mom-in-law's house in Jacksonville, FL.

After a couple nights in J-ville, the kids and I made the trip down to my Mom's house on the beach in Ormond Beach and stayed for 4 days.  We spent Christmas Eve at my Mom's house with my sister's family, my family, and my mom and her new Bo.  We headed back to Kim's Mom's house on Christmas Eve so the kids could spend Christmas Day with their Grammies.  The day after Christmas we made the drive to Glenn St. Mary to spend the day at my sister's house and visit with my dad and his family. 

We left Jacksonville, FL at 6 AM EST on 12/29.  We drove a very overweight Town & Country straight back to Bloomington, IL.  After several fuel/bathroom stops and an hour at a Cracker Barrel in Southern Illinois, we made it home by 8 PM CST.   That's roughly 1000 miles in 15 hours.  It's amazing how the miles go by at 90 MPH!

While back "home" in Florida we ate Creole/Cajun, seafood, BBQ, Mongolian, Japanese, Chinese, and Southern Style home cooking.  I must have gained 10 pounds.  We hit all our favorite restaurants and ate shrimp and oysters so many times, I was getting sick of it.  We did a Low Country Boil on Christmas Eve with several pounds of sausage, shrimp, scallops, crab legs, corn on the cob, and red potatoes.  Then on Christmas Day we steamed 5 lbs of very large shrimp and made dirty rice with sausage and beef.  A good time was had by all and we'd like to thank our family for putting us up and being such gracious hosts.  We'll be back in the Summer so rest up.