Jack's Birthday

Funny how a birthday used to just be cake and presents to me, but after having a baby the BIRTH part of it all means a bit more!  (Maybe that's just for the first birthday...?)  It was crazy to think where we were a year ago yesterday.  I think we're all a bit more comfortable & looking a bit better a year later!  Here's how little Jack spent his first birthday...  Nothing fancy, but it was so fun to celebrate the little guy.  What a blessing he is!

Birthday breakfast...dad's specialty; scrambled eggs

This fit a year ago!

(Proof that he has grown!)

Opening cards and gifts with dad

New toys!!

8:36 am...almost exactly a year old.

It took a whole minute to get him to look up from his new toy! :)

We had Bible study here in the morning and had cinnamon rolls for the ladies for birthday treats.

Then lunch in the garage while watching dad and mom put up the cupboards from the townhouse.

(We've been doing a few things to the house...more to come...)

Waiting for the eye doctor to come in at his infant eye screening apt.

Doc says he's looking/seeing good!

After supper he got to see Grammi and Papa via skype, played like a wild man, and then headed to bed.

Here's to making it through the first year! :)

Birthday Boys

Luke was here Monday, so I guess we'll say the boys 'celebrated' their birthday together a day early.  It was beautiful out, so we spent some time playing on the porch.

Couldn't figure out what they were both seeing...they must be scheming!

Love these little guys!

CAAAAAKE!!

We celebrated Jack's birthday on Sunday with the Brinkmans so Jack got to eat his cake a few days early.  He wasn't a big fan of the frosting, but loved the cake.  And since it wasn't loaded down with sugar, he got to have birthday cake again for breakfast this morning! :)  (...minus the frosting--I wasn't up for another spray-down at that time of day!) 

Jack seems to have an early interest in fire...wonder where he gets that...?!

Diggin' in...

Coming up for air

Cheese ball!

Ham ball!

Slime ball!

About an hour later we made good use of the new sink and sprayer after Jack finally decided he'd had enough.

And this is what the rest of us had! :)

Jack's glad we got a new sink too...

Weekend in St. Louis

We spent the weekend in St. Louis so Ryan could help his brother Darren finish their basement.  They worked HARD.  Meanwhile Jack and I had some fun.  We stayed at Shannon & Andrew's (minus Andrew who is busy eating Sushi in Japan) and Jack and I got some good time with Shannon and the boys.  We had fun spending a day at Darren & Melissa's with Melissa and the boys and got to celebrate John, Riley, and Jack's birthdays with almost everyone (missed Grammi & Papa).  Ryan and Darren emerged from the basement everyone once-in-awhile for food and birthday cake, but as Ryan's guys know, lunch breaks don't last long. :)   So glad we got to see everyone and I can't wait to see the basement when it's all finished.

The Magic House with Owen & Noah

Getting a picture of the 3 of them was a bit of a challenge--maybe Shannon did better than I did!

Jack and Uncle John

Jack did great on both the trip down and back.  As long as he gets one chance to get out of his seat and "drive" for awhile he's good.

Thanks Shannon for letting us stay for so long and for your hospitality.

And thanks Melissa for all the meals and snacks you made for us all!

Next Generation Duck Caller

Making Papa Jack (and daddy) proud! :)

New Sink

Ryan put in a new kitchen sink for us this weekend.  (And we were gone on a youth retreat all weekend--not sure how he managed it!)  I'll spare you any complaints about the old sink because I realize that having clean, running water is not to be taken for granted.  I'll just say that I absolutely LOVE the new sink!

The Plumbers

Love it!