Cousin Love

While we were in MI a few weeks back Naomi and Jack had their pictures taken! As you know there is always one kid who does not want to participate...and that would be OURS! I'm blaming it on the heat because he loves Naomi :) I don't remember how many pictures she took of the two of them but here are four good ones where Jack is cooperating...sort of.

Jack received a very special gift this week. His very own desk! He loves sitting in it and eating his snack. THANK YOU Papa!

This weekend we took Jack to another parade. We figured he liked the first parade so much why not try another one. Jack made the most of our "waiting time" before the parade started. I'm sure the people watching the security cameras were very entertained!

Just taking a break. Check out his new shoes...the kid wears a size 8 1/2!

Getting ready for all the action. The weather was BEAUTIFUL.

What would a parade be without a sucker?? Again Jack enjoyed every lick! The bottom right-hand picture is my favorite...orange drool!

My new "blog" goal is to take more family pictures...Hey at least we tried!

"I had better hang on very tightly to this candy in case I don't see it again!"

...and he did, ALL the way to the van!

Kitchen Update: WE ARE DONE!

Not sure why the lighting is so dark but I wanted to show the green sink base and window trim.

Love the backsplash!

So right behind the kitchen area is a bathroom. Since we pulled out the floors in the bathroom we figured a new toilet, sink and paint would do the trick!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Jack LOVES horses...probably an understatement. He gets very excited when he sees one or hears someone mention one. Here is a quick demonstration of Jack's enthusiasm for horses. After he makes the sound you can stop the video because he just stares into space and Zack tells me the parade route!

Lastly, Jack making his motorcycle sound and being silly!

Jack receives his wings!

In Jack's short little life he has flown many times but he finally received his first pair of Delta wings this weekend!! He wasn't so sure what to do with them but he still liked them. My mom, Jack and I took a trip down south to celebrate a very special cousin birthday! We all had a great time and Jack was an excellent traveler. I couldn't have asked for better traveling companion...although I could have done without his diaper leaking while he was sitting on my lap! Oh the joys of motherhood, right?!?

While we were away Jack did lots of three-wheeling!

He also spent lots of time on the slide...sometimes with a toy!
Jack made sure his uncles pinecones were all picked up and put in the cooler.

One morning we took the kids to the zoo. To my surprise, Jack was very uncertain right away. He wasn't sure what to think of the animals. Although after we found the first park he warmed up VERY quickly!

I would title this picture: Boys Will Be Boys! As I said before Jack wasn't as impressed as I thought he would be. His cousin on the other hand loved every animal we saw. They both really enjoyed looking at the empty stage though!

I still think he is an animal lover at heart.

"Look at those giraffes Nana!"

This was the "best" picture we got of the two of us...

Jack loved every second at the park.

For the birthday party we went to a place filled with inflatables and lots of balls! Of course Jack played with the balls the WHOLE time. He was in HEAVEN!

We all went out to eat one night and Jack found the arcade games right away! (Hey it helps pass the time when you are waiting for your food.) It's good he doesn't realize it costs money to actually play on the machines!

We all had a great time and Jack did so well. Of course we had a few meltdowns but for the most part he did GREAT! I thought this pictures was so cute...we had just arrived at our first gate on the way home and I gave Jack a fruit bar and milk. He sat down on the floor all by himself!

Thanks Auntie, Uncle, and cousins for a wonderful time!

Kitchen update: Drum roll please...we have countertops. They were installed yesterday. Today they are working on the backsplash and on Thursday we will have plumbing on the main floor!!!

Baby update: Our sweet baby girl is doing great. She is one busy baby...I am glad she sleeps while I sleep and does most of her aerobics during the day! While Jack and I were away Zack and my dad painted the nursery. It looks amazing. I will post pictures soon. We need to start picking out bedding and nursery furniture...

1100+ Miles...

This past Labor Day weekend we drove to MI for a short visit and of course, to participate in the Peach Festival activities! We left at 3:00am thinking Jack would sleep at least until 6:00am or so...NOPE he stayed awake until 1:00PM! We stopped about every 3 hours so Jack could get out and run. We found lots of parks along the way.

On our way to Nana and Gpa's we stopped to see Bud and JoAnn in Wakefield. Jack very much enjoyed their dog Pepper and his time outdoors with Aunt JoAnn.

What a brave woman...pulling Jack in the wagon while managing Pepper on his leash.
Jack thought this woodpile was pretty neat! He even "moved" some wood for them...

To make the trip "easier" for mom and dad we rented some Barney and Sesame Street DVDs. We had a little routine: play for about an hour, watch a video, eat a snack and play for another hour. And then start all over!

Zack and Gpa took Jack on some errands and these are the pictures I received on my phone while they were gone! I can only imagine...

One night we all went for yummy custard! Well I came a little late because "someone" lost my credit card! To make a very long story short, after dinner Jack and I went to the van because it was too hot for us to sit outside. While in the van he was playing with my wallet. After Zack came back to the van and we started driving to the custard place I starting putting my wallet back together. I realized my CC was not there and I knew I saw Jack playing with it. After searching for what seemed like a loooong time and finally giving up, I found the CC in the DVD player!!!!

We spent Saturday afternoon at Aunt Sarah's.

Jack found Adam's Tiger Stadium chairs!

Taking a break by the water.

This is a gesture we see a lot..."one more time"! We are trying to teach Jack the difference between "one more time" and "last time"!

The kid loves to jump!

Fun times in the front yard playing catch. (check out that form!)

"Don't forget me!"

Nana took Jack to the park and they both had a great time.

Jack loved the climbing wall...unfortunately Nana nor I could hang on to him all the way to the top :(

We took Jack to the children's parade...he wasn't so sure right away...

Give the boy a sucker and he is one happy little guy. He ate the WHOLE thing.

After the parade all the relatives came over. Jack enjoyed playing with Owen's toys.

Jack is already teaching Naomi tricks!

I spent a little quality time with Naomi...she is such a doll!

We attempted a "cousin" picture...oh well, maybe next time!

We had not been in the car 5 minutes after leaving MI and Jack was out like a light.

While we were gone our house started looking more like a house...

Our window was finished!

Before we left they had taken the sliding glass door out to install french doors...while the door was out we started thinking the room might look better with no doors - TADA!

We have floors and hardware!!!

Still waiting for those countertops...they are scheduled to be installed on the 19th!! Can't wait :) Jack and I are heading South in two days to celebrate a very special birthday this weekend! I'm sure I will have lots of pictures.