Week Twenty Nine

Emmie invited Jack over to play in her pool. As you can see Jack REALLY enjoyed himself.


So serious! Jack and Emmie were very serious about their water toys. It was pretty funny to watch them pass buckets back and forth, as they each took a sip of the water.


Happy First Father's Day to Tom...the best dad a kid could ask for!

So this is your first Father's Day,
Your first one as a dad;
Get ready for surprises now,
The wildest you've ever had.

Just when you think you've got it down,
There's a new and different stage;
This little person changes a lot
With each fascinating age.

Being a dad takes all you've got;
Your heart and mind you'll invest;
It's the hardest job you'll ever have,
And the one you'll love the best.


Father's Day turned out to be a gorgeous day. We decided to put up our pool in order to keep cool. Tom and Jack found a new use for the Bumbo.

Week Twenty Eight

I know, I know! I'm a little late on the post again this week, but I have a good excuse. We began yet ANOTHER home improvement project this past week! We replaced doors, windows and siding. Before saying anything more I must thank a few people for all of their hard work and generosity. A HUGE thanks to Ryan, Nick, Bubba, Dayon, Mom and Dad Hanks, Mom and Dad Dresel, and to Jack for being such a trooper on this project! We couldn't have done it without all of you!


Jack got to experience the truck for the first time this week. As many of you know Tom and I do not drive nice vehicles, so needless to say escorting Jack around in them is always a little worrisome. Yes, yes, yes the airbag was turned off!


Look at me sitting all by myself! We can't believe how strong our little man is getting.


Look mom...no windows! As if we didn't do enough to this room already. We completely gutted and redid Jack's nursery, and once it was all complete we decided to replace the window, along with five others in our house.


It is a good thing Tom and Grandpa Tom aren't afraid of heights!


Jack enjoys eating lunch with Grandpa Tom.


Grandma Jane and Grandpa Tim were roped into another of our home improvement projects. Since the purchase of our house they have learned to tile a floor, install a ceiling fan, install a furnace, replace windows, and reside a house. We're just waiting to break the news to them that we are going to build our next house ourselves! JUST KIDDING...I hope!


Grandpa Tom and Grandpa Tim take a few minutes out to enjoy Jack.


Jack didn't have any troubles napping during the project, even with all of the hammering and sawing.


Tom had a little too much hammering and sawing for one day. I'm sure the old fashions didn't help!


Supervising the "crew" with Grandma Jane.


This damn tool box! It never fails that it will get opened the wrong way and a bunch of tools will spill out all over! This time the culprit was neighbor Dan and not Tom. Poor Grandma Jane gets stuck putting everything back into the rightful place.


Entertaining the grandparents.


Look out AARP here I come with my Blue-Blockers!


Grandma Nancy entertains Jack while the rest of us sit down and take a break. No wonder the woman is so skinny...she doesn't slow down!!!!!!

Week Twenty Seven

Best friends! Jack and Emmie share some time giggling together.


Things get a little serious when Emmie tells Jack that it is time for him to start using a sippy cup.


Is this that thing that Emmie was taking about?


Okay...I'll give it a try!


I give up!


I think I would rather stick to cereal!


On second thought...sign me up for the circus instead!

Week Twenty Six

Hey mom...can you see me? Jack has really taken an interest to his blocks. He will sit on the blanket and play with them for a long time, which is great since it entertains him long enough for me to take a shower!


Jack watched his first Baby Einstein video this week. He LOVED it! If any of you are looking to purchase stocks I would say a safe bet would be Baby Einstein, Pampers, and Shout. The Hanks family will make sure your investments in these do well!


Before going to bed each night Tom and I check on Jack one last time. The other night it was a good thing that we did as he was a little caught up!


Jack and his best friend Emmie wait patiently (patiently as a 6 month old and 15 month old can) to see the koalas at the zoo.


It sure was worth the wait! Isn't he cute?!?!?!


Yumm...my toes sure taste good! Come on Grandpa you try...


For the Memorial Day Weekend we were able to spend it with the Borchardt side of the family. We celebrated Britt and Justin's marriage with a great party! Jack had a ton of fun seeing everyone, and was amazed by all the 4 wheelers, golf carts, and dirt bikes. He can't wait until he is old enough to ride them....I am sure he will be starting much sooner than mom would like!

With all the action going on it was hard to imagine that Jack would ever go to bed. It seemed that Grandma Nancy had the magic touch...now if we could just get her to move closer so she could help with bedtime!


Memorial Day Weekend marked Jack's first camping outing. He thought it was great! We'll see how he likes the tent in a few more weeks!


Nothing like a family game of Flippy Cup!


A picture with some of the gracious losers in Flippy Cup.


Back in Eau Claire we enjoyed a campfire with Grandma Jane and Grandpa Tim, for some reason Jack thought the fire was hilarious. He just sat and giggled at it. I'm sure it had nothing to do with Grandpa Tim standing on the other side of it!

Week Twenty Five

Okay, so I think I have redeemed myself from my poor post last week! Enjoy the new pictures!


We had to wait for Jack to finish playing before we could go to the zoo on Mother's Day. The only thought that crossed my mind was, "he is just like his father." It is pretty obvious that Jack is going to be a tinkerer, I just hope he doesn't inherit the "lateness!"
By the way I had an AWESOME first Mother's Day. It started with breakfast in bed, followed by the unveiling of my new ipod, and the rest of the day spent with my two favorite boys! The best part was I only changed 2 diapers all day!!


Jack LOVED the river otters at the zoo! He could have sat in front of their cage all day long. When we returned to the zoo later in the week I was so thankful that Jack can't ask questions yet. You see the river otters were being "crowd performers," if you know what I mean, and I don't know how I would have answered the question..."what are the otters doing Mommy?"


Can you figure out what is wrong with this picture? (Take a peek at the sunglasses!)


Jack looks back to see where his friend Emmie is going. It was a pretty funny day at the park as Jack was very intent on watching Emmie. His little head kept zooming back and forth, trying to keep up with her as she swang.


It's about time!! Jack offered to help with the laundry, since most of it is his!


Jack has his Future President shirt on. Now all he has to decide is which ticket he will run on...


Unfortunately for Tom, Jack wasn't too keen on the idea of becoming a Republican.


As you can see he is much more willing to run on the Democratic ticket! (Woo hoo!) Move over Obama and Hilary...Here comes Jack!


Grandma Jane and Grandpa Tim came down to visit for the weekend. We had fun filled times as we went to the zoo and Brewers' game!


Jack's first tailgate. He had a blast even if it was super chilly outside!


The Brewers avoided a sweep by the Twins, and we laughed at Jack's reactions to his first MLB game.


Sound asleep at the game.

Week Twenty Four

This week is a short post as I was a bad mom last week and didn't have the camera out as much as usual. I promise that next week will be better!


One of the main reasons for the short post is the pre-teething tendencies that were mentioned last week. To help combat Jack's discomfort I found a vibrating teething ring. It worked great until it started turning on by itself.


Jack decides that he has had enough of the vibrating teether and goes for his toes. He attempted to get Tom to do the same.