6.24.2011

Rodeo and a Growing Boy

Last night was a whole family event at the Lehi Roundup Rodeo.
My grandpa would've loved it. ... ...
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I wasn't so sure how Jack was going to do packed onto bleachers like sardines...but considering he was coming off of a 4.5 hour nap...he was in fine form and I'm so glad I brought him. It was so much fun (other than the dead baby bird that Jack found and threw...but that's another story I'm still dry heaving about)!
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Forgive my blurry phone shots of the evening...there was way too much ruckus going on to focus on pictures. Plus I was hard at work pretending I was in Dillon, TX. (Friday Night Light fans?)
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Jack made the rounds down the aisle throughout the night.
He was moderately interested in the animals.
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He was, however, ridiculously interested in the tractors clearing the grounds, the train that kept passing by, Brett's face, the motocross performers, and a bag of licorice.
.... Oh...and being a nerd into the camera with me.
I couldn't have been happier that his sweaty little mug chose to sit on my lap most of the night.
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That is a rarity when Brett is around. .......
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Don't get me wrong, though.
There was plenty of loving Brett, too.
... I'm pretty sure he shoved at least 900 Mike N' Ikes in Brett's mouth throughout the night. Annie and General Grievous (Max) seeing whose mouth was bigger. .... Annie and I decided that there's just something about a cowboy. .... But...there's no way under the sun that our boys will be allowed to be rodeo cowboys. I found myself cringing in fear every time they went flailing around on a horse/bull. ...
Make plans to go to a rodeo this summer.
Trust me. It's a good time. ...
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Now, in completely unrelated, but note worthy news....
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Jack has made the doctor rounds this past week. First, we met up with Jack's spinal surgeon for a yearly post-op checkup on his back. It took all of 4 seconds for the doctor to look at Jack and determine that he's walking/moving just fine. So far so good with no anticipation of any future problems.
Phew.
I tell you what...after the year my family has had...you kind of have to expect the unexpected....especially when you're seeing a doctor!
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Jack was cool as a cucumber.
Primary Children's aint got nothing on this kid.
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(really eventful picts, I know. I had to steal my mom's phone to even document that the appt even happened). ....
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Today, Jack had his 2 year checkup with the pediatrician. He was a bit leery of the women on staff...but was brave and calm with Dr. Weipert. He had one shot and took it like a champ and hasn't stopped saying "shot" since.
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This is his post-shot face. Break my heart!
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.... The bottom line is....he is a happy, healthy, smart, growing boy!
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And he's got a few people who kind of like him.
... ... Here are the stats:
Weight- 26.7 lbs (31%)
Height- 34.0 inches (44%)
A total stud.

6.19.2011

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing fathers, in-laws, and grandpa's in my life!

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And an especially Happy one to this one....

This week on the Oilo blog that I write for...I wrote a post in honor of Father's Day.

Here's what I wrote.

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The Perfect Timing of Dads

Every day at our home, when 5:15 pm rolls around, we hear the blessed sound of the garage door opening. An instant energy fills the house with the first creak of the door. These are the sounds that say DAD IS HOME! It’s not that we haven’t enjoyed our prior daytime activities… but there’s just something about having Dad home that makes everything so much better. Not only is it another set of helping hands… but it’s more fun…more laughter….more excitement. It’s indulging in exhilarating activities that I find myself much too uptight to do…like digging in the dirt…and using all the couch pillows to make a fort. A breath of fresh air. That’s 5:15.

... ..... My hope is that this Father’s Day, in the midst of tools, ties, and gadgets galore…I can at least give our dad that 5:15 feeling that he makes possible for us to experience every single day.

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Here’s wishing you luck in your efforts in finding the perfect Father’s Day gifts for the dad’s in your life… and a very Happy Father’s Day to all of the wonderful Dad’s in the world!

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There it is. And it is the truth.

... We love you Brett!

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... Thanks for taking care of us... like only you can.
We love you!

6.13.2011

Golfing Tweeners

Brett took Jack and I out to the golf course the other night.
It was spur of the moment...and a good call on Brett's part.
Jack was in ABSOLUTE heaven.
He got to have Brett.
He got to swing his own clubs and hit stuff (sometimes a ball).
Not only did he get to help drive the cart, but he got to play with the coolers of water, dig in dirt, and run to his little heart's content.
Just watching these two nuts kept me entirely entertained and happy
(other than itching my allergic eyes out of their sockets).

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.... Just FYI: Brett never hits the ball in the sand. I think he was just trying to give Jack a chance to play in it....hmmmm
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Sometimes it's like I'm looking directly at Brett when I see this mug.
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Everything from the way he looks, moves, and plays, to the way he finds pure entertainment in just about any and everything!
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It's pretty damn cute.

6.08.2011

4 Days of 2

Have you had enough pictures of us yet? I'm on a rampage!
Get ready... because here's about 921 more.
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We had quite the time celebrating Jack's birthday this year.
4 Days of activity made for a great 2-year old initiation.
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The festivities began on Friday (3 days before his birthday) because the Ross family was off to Disneyland over the weekend, and since they make up half of Jack's friends...we just had to make sure they could come.
We got a pavilion up at this new park in Alpine. It is amazing....and huge! There are several play areas, a splash pad, walking trails, tons of open space... and all in the most beautiful setting.
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Jack absolutely lives to be outside.
Outside + cousins = one happy boy.
We ate pizza and ice cream treats and he was supported by many (as usual).
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The guest list: Grandma Jackie & Grandpa Curt, Grandma & Grandpa Jones, Grandpa Sherm & Grandma Yvonna, Grandma Joanne, Annie, Randy, Hank, Max, Kate, Dan, Lucy, Isabel, Michelle, Adam, Bjornn, Liam, Soren, and Zetta.

This birthday boy was on the move the entire party.

He pretty much owned the park.

Nothing says party like a grandma on a teeter totter!
Ratsville
Zetta & Lucy getting some slide on with the birthday boy.
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Michelle and Soren (and Liam peeking behind) ...
The Cool Group (Jack's super studly uncles)
Dan, Randy, Adam

Grandma and Grandpa Jack's Great Grandparents (+ Max...he likes to mingle with the more mature audience)
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Jack could hardly focus on present time.
He was smitten with the first one and probably would've been pleased as punch if that was all he got.
He got an easel, bubble lawn mower, book, clothes, a pirate water ship, cars, $$$, golf clubs, and a fun sprinkler.
This kid has some serious fans.
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The cake portion of the party was pretty much just for tradition's sake.
I knew Jack wouldn't eat it let alone dig into it...but, it was well worth the pomp and circumstance because his candle blowing was sheer entertainment. The breeze was a bit too strong for our lighter... but he didn't care.
He kept pretending to blow them out...and was just as happy.
.... Grandpa Curt stepped in to show us how it is done, and Jack finally got to blow out ONE candle for real.
He was proud as a peacock.
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How beautiful could this setting be? ... Our family pic + our new nanny Lucy. ... ...
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Saturday we took it easy and Jack got to fully play with his presents from his party.
We broke out the Pirate ship water table my mom and dad gave him, and I think he would've slept with it if we'd had let him.
Yes...his swim shirt has a fin on the hood.
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Sunday evening, we went back up to the Alpine park (our new home away from home), and met my mom and dad and their dog, Dove.
Jack + outside + dog = happiest child on the planet.
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He splashed around for a little ate some chips with Grandma Jackie.... and then with 110% attention watched Dove chase a tennis ball.
Jack was in the mood for a love affair with Grandpa Curt. He stayed nestled up to him like this for like 15 minutes.

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Finally....on Jack's real birthday...we gave him our presents. ////
His new tool set makes him look even more like Brett.
It was an instant hit.. ...
He's very cautious.
(and adorable) ..He was quite mesmorized with his squirt guns and sidewalk chalk...
until we wheeled this bad boy around the corner.
He literally dropped everything (including his little jaw)...and got in it and stayed there for most of the morning.
He went back to playing with his other presents...as long as he was still in his new car.
Brett had to go to work, but our go-to pals were waiting in the wings to party it up with us.
Hank, Max, and Annie came rolling in for some water fun.
My mom and Grandma Joanne were there as spectators.
After some hard core playing, we ate a little Chick Fil-A, the boys played in the dirt (what is wrong with boys?), and followed up with a tub for all 3 of them.
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We had just enough time to get a nap in before we met back up with Brett, the Griffins and my mom for Kung Fu Panda 2 later that night.
Jack totally has a posse.
And this is pretty much who's in it.
He sat and munched his popcorn like a good little birthday boy.
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It was an awesome long weekend...and the perfect way to celebrate my buddy... and some nice weather, finally!