Jack's Snow Guy & A New Coat Cubbie

Dad & Mom came down for a day or so last week.

Jack and Grandma Nan built a snow guy...

Meanwhile, Dad transformed the hole in our front entry way into an awesome coat cubbie!

BEFORE...

(I actually remembered to take a before picture...woo-hoo!)

AFTER...

(minus a coat of paint, some baskets up top...and Ryan's coat!)

Pretty great, huh?!

Little Chef

Any time I start cooking lately Jack pushes a chair over to help.  He likes to do his own thing so we cook side-by-side, which works quite nicely! :)  He's always needing "more pice [spice]" though...not sure what he's making that takes such a concoction of spices!

Workin' Boy

Ryan traded efficiency for time with Jack as he put together his new desk...

The workers and their 'matching' drills

Learning to pound nails in

Alisa was here this weekend and she and Jack did some chores together, which was super helpful 1. because of the chores she got done, and 2. because she took Jack along!

It's not all work with Alisa...had to stop to play in the snow a little!

In his work overalls...which were just used for playing today!

Hands in his "pockets"

Christmas(es) 2012

Christmas #1: Our Family Christmas

Simple, but so good just to be the three of us...

probably in part because we've had so much time apart lately.

Helping Daddy unwrap gifts

Jack's been into airplanes since flying to and from WA,
so he got an airplane and...

an airplane book...

...which can only be read while holding his plane!

Christmas #2: Brinkman Christmas

A few days on the farm...enough time to celebrate Christmas, play some ball, see most of the extended family, and get some tractor rides.  Almost none of which I got pictures of...imagine that!

Painting with Grandma Nan

Opening gifts with a couple of his Aunts

Christmas #3: Helmkamp Christmas

And finally south for a few days with the Helmkamps.  It was fun to have the cousins together--Ryan and I decided we're pretty spoiled to have two older nieces who are so good with littler cousins!

Reading with Papa

Lazy River with Dad at the little water park

where we spent a morning. 

Little snowman warming up with Grammi

Our little goof-wad entertaining himself on the 6-hr ride home!

Snow Day

We got an awesome snow right before Christmas...wooo-hoo!

First we brought some inside to play with...

...then we headed outside as soon as dad was done in the office.
We didn't last long outside though...it was COLD!

Marcie's Graduation

Marcie graduated from Iowa State University this last Saturday...CONGRATS MARCE!  And Congrats to Jack, who lasted through the 3+ hour ceremony...okay, lets be honest, over half of the time was spent out in the concourse running around!  Welcome to the long list of family alum Marcie!

Aunt Marce on the screen? 

I'm pretty sure Marcie is one of the gals in this picture...
My zoom and our seats were not compatible for a good photo!

The best part of graduation (no offense Marce!) was watching the faculty member just over the shoulder of Lieutenant Governor Reynolds as she gave her commencement speech.  Here are some photos that Alisa managed to capture...they'll give you an idea of why we were so entertained.

Just a quick cat nap won't hurt anything

Absolutely no interest in trying to hide his boredom...
I wonder if his students ever give him this look!

Supporting the head to avoid the embarrassing head bob upon waking
...though I'm not convinced he was too concern about the head bob.

thrilled

"You've got to be kidding me...how long is this going to last?"

To be fair, the photos where he appears to be sleeping may have just been prolonged blinks.  And I can't say I didn't feel his pain...he just happened to be seated in an unfortunate position which broadcast his expressions for all to see and he had no option of stepping out to go run around the concourse for awhile.

Jack's had a busy couple of days.  Yesterday we hosted a mom & kids Christmas party, (Cookie Exchange for the moms, play date for the kiddos).  And today, Jack went to his first day of school!  (Child Development day w/ one of the youth group girls.)  He was super excited to go this morning because he thought he was going to the "school bus"--I was a little afraid he'd be disappointed.  Apparently he did well and lasted the whole day (8:15-3:30)...seemed like a long day to me.  Not that I'm complaining about a free day to myself...especially with Ryan gone!

I didn't take an photos at the party, so you'll have to be
content with a picture of some of our snacks! :)

Ready for his "First Day of School"

Jack's artwork and name tag...his name tag couldn't have fit
him better!  I'm not sure if it was made before or after they
saw what toys I packed for him, (his construction equip)!