Aunt Alisa

Quick post here because I need to get some feedback on a picture I just took. For those of you who knew Alisa as a baby, does Jack look like her, or is it just me? I can't get over how much he reminds me of her sometimes.

And here's the little man making a few suggestions on how I should prepare his avocado next time.

"Now if you sauteed some garlic, threw in a few spices, and then folded in my avocado..."

The House

And here are a few pictures of the house...

Living Room

Jack's play room (technically a formal dining room)--it's supposed to be a mess. :)

If you have any cool kid-room ideas let me know, I'd like to do something fun with this room.

Kitchen/'Dining Room"

Master bedroom

Not a bad view from the laundry room :)

This weekend is Ryan-declared "Home Improvement Weekend", so come Monday there will be some improvements to these pictures. Don't plan on any new pictures being posted though-it took me long enough to get these taken! Besides, most improvements probably wouldn't be noticed in a photo.

The Best Part

The cord is still missing, but I found another solution, (not sure why I didn't think of this earlier)--my memory card fits right into my computer...duh!

Here are a few pictures of my favorite part of the new place...the yard. (One reason I also decided to start here is that I realized I haven't taken any pictures of the house yet! :)) We love it, and think Jack will too when he's a little older. They set the house up perfectly...back deck facing the sunrise, front porch facing the sunset. (Yes, I'm still in the 'honeymoon stage'--the honey-do list is not for me to do after all, and I haven't even had to mow the lawn yet thanks to Jay!)

Notice the woods as much, if not more, than the pool.

Our view will be a bit more limited next year with corn in the rotation, but farm fields feel like home, so it's fine with me!

Jack's playground.

No, not the slide and swings, the creek behind it full of bugs and mud and sticks an all good things for little boys.

Ryan told me to take a picture: first and last time he mows. Lucky for him he didn't even have to do it this time!

Missing: Camera Cord

I was all encouraged that we're all unpacked and pretty organized already...until I discovered that I couldn't find the camera cord that allows me to transfer pictures from the camera to my computer. I've looked in all the places it "should" be only to come up empty handed. It's a bit disheartening to have lost something when you thought you were organized because now I'm clueless as to where to look next. Hmm...it might be awhile before we have any new photos to post. Bummer. Guess you'll have to come visit if you want to see the new place. :)

This was obviously taken a few weeks ago, as it's at the old house. No, Jack's not standing on his own OR pulling himself up on things. I just stuck him there cause I thought it was hilarious to see him standing there!

Reunion 2

The Cousins Club

The reason for the celebration

Grandma Bette & Grandpa Phil

Ryan & Brooks

The more the merrier!

Brooks & Noah...I love these little guys!

Jack's face might not show it, but MEG IS FUN! :)

CONGRATS JAMIE & ETHAN!

Story time with Grandpa Phil

Little thumb-sucker and his Uncle Mitch

Story time w/ Karen

Jack and Janie

Photo op w/ the guests of honor

Couldn't resist. :)

Brinkman Family Reunion 1

Here are some pictures from Grandma & Grandpa's 60th wedding anniversary celebration. So great to get time with everyone. In typical Brinkman style it was a busy weekend w/ lots of fun, food, and good conversation.

Karen (our cookie-making, adventure-planning, accommodation-arranging, story-reading, I'm-sure-I-forgot-a-few-things hostess) and Jack

Owen, Andrew, & I

Don't get any ideas, but two kids fit just great!

Jack has found himself a buddy in Anabel

He may be the starting center for the Indians, but we know better than to believe he's too tough to hold his little cousin!

I think this is how we were all feeling after such a great weekend!

RAGBRAI 2011 (Boone to Altoona)

Didn't think I'd post these for awhile, but I'm on my post RAGBRAI high, and amazingly, I found the camera cord amongst the packing mess so I decided to download photos. Plus, it seemed like a good thing to do while I enjoy a plate of spaghetti and watch Jack do a different kind of rolling, as he works on racking up his own 55 miles around the living room.

Notice the small black "Best of Iowa Brats" sign under the large yellow dessert sign...Ryan was enjoying his by 8:30 this morning. He claimed his body was already in shock from the biking, so why not shock it w/ a good brat for breakfast? Reasonable.

And he's off...to find the next great food stand. I think a frozen Snickers was next.

Don't worry, I hit up the stands as well. Thanks to some fabulous advertising for about 30 miles, the little old church ladies of Alleman got my business.

Cherry pie...mmmm!

For those who have ridden RAGBRAI...have I represented it accurately?

(Food and some bike riding along with it?! :))

And here are our sag-wagon drivers. Thanks to Jana, this was the definitely the easiest RAGBRAI logistically. As far a the ride, I think 3 months pregnant and trained may be a tad easier than un-pregnant and un-trained!

No pictures of Ryan and I after the ride...turns out we were taking videos...my bad!