Week Thrity Eight

I was FINALLY able to find someone to come take our pictures, for a reasonable price (reasonable in my mind)! It only took about 30 minutes, but we are soooooo happy with the results! It was kind of funny because Tom's response after it was all done was "That was it? I paid how much money for that?" Needless to say he promptly forgot about the price the moment he laid eyes on the results. Here a a few of the photos:






This is my FAVORITE! I think it is because I can see the future in this photo...I have a true boy, who loves to get dirty. I just hope I feel the same way the first time he walks into the house covered in mud!


Although I really like my new highchair, I must admit that Cheerios taste much better off of the floor! Why don't they invent a highchair with a vacuum attached to it?


Just like his daddy..."how does this thing work?"


I must do a few stretches before I crawl. Yup, you guessed it! Jack began crawling this week! He is so proud of himself, especially when he arrives at the item he wants. Usually the item is something he shouldn't have! Let the baby-proofing begin!!!!!!


Jack has a rather unconventional way of getting to a sitting position. He does the splits and then pushes himself into an upright position by walking his hands back. Hence the new nickname...Paul Hamm (the gold medal winner in the last Summer Olympics in gymnastics.)


No matter how hard Jen and Jack cheered, those darn Brewers weren't able to pull out a win against the Cardinals.


Rather than watching the Brewers get spanked, Tom and Jack decided to chase the wiener.


This picture wasn't able to capture how funny Jack looked in his new jammies. Tom and I spent a good 10 minutes laughing at the way he looked in these things. Hey Grandpa Tim...."WHERE'S WALDO!?!?!"

Week Thirty Seven

Winding down with a good bedtime story.


See...I can read by myself too!


On our way to Eau Claire, we stopped at a Rest Area to have dinner.


Grandma Nancy helps Jack look for Grandpa Tom.


Lounging with Leine's!


On Sunday Jack was baptized. Here we all are, with Jack's godparents, aka, Uncle Marc and Auntie Anne.


Check out all the proud grandparents!


Cousins Sally, Sarah, Ethan, Great Auntie Sharon and Great Uncle Red, were all able to join us for the baptism also.


It was so great getting to see Auntie Annie again! I wish she didn't live so far away, because I LOVE "Uncle" Wes, her dog.

Week Thirty Six

While Tom was out sailing, Jack and I attend the baptism celebration for Mason. Mason was tuckered out from an eventful day, so while he took a snooze, Jack tested out his jumper. Do you think he liked it?


We all have our favorite place, and I was able to take Jack to mine this week. We met up with Grandpa Tim and Grandma Jane at Lake Owen. This has been a special place for the Dresel family for MANY years. My dad enjoyed many camping trips with his family, as a youngster, and made sure that summer tradition continued for our family. It was so exciting getting to take Jack there, I can't help but wonder...will he take his family there someday?


We had sooooo much fun at the beach.


Just like all the other times Jack has had his PFD on this summer, he grew very serious. Maybe this time he was just worried that Grandpa Tim was going to flip them over.


Look out Grandma!! Your nose looks like it tastes REALLY good!


The highlight of our camping trip was watching Jack splash in the water. Grandma Jane, Grandpa Tim and I laughed very hard as we watched Jack get soooooo excited.


I really like my floaty, I just hope that the fish don't eat my piggies!


When do I get to eat some McDonald's fench fries?

Week Thirty Five

Jack found a new interest...reading the ads from the newspaper. Actually, it was more like ripping the ads into little pieces and laughing at mom while she picked them up, and kept them from going in his mouth!


We had a great time attending another Buffett concert! Of course we went with the Hoffes, and they suprised us when they showed up with a new addition to their truck....a giant shark fin! We also met some new friends, Brad and Rachel, who were kind enough to let all of us stay at their house after the concert. Fins up!!!!!!


While we were away at the Buffett concert, Jack stayed at home with Grandma and Grandpa Dresel. They were kind enough to take some time out of their camping vacation to come down and watch Jack. Once again, I don't know who had more fun, us, Jack or Grandma and Grandpa! Jack, Grandma, and Grandpa found their way to the park, and I swear they have kid magnets on them. After being at the park for only an hour or so they knew all the little kids and their life stories!


Back at Alpine Valley we played a few rounds of bags. Here is a great action shot of Jen. I must say that whenever the bags game comes out again I want to be on Jen's team....she is a real pro!


Of course we had to have a "few" blended margaritas before going into the show.


And when you are out in the hot sun all day playing hard the last thing you want to do is stand in line to use a port-a-potty, so this year we brought our own. It is known as the "Peepee Teepee!"


Time for the show, and yes, we do remember most of it!!!!!!!!

Week Thirty Four

It is official! General Mills has promoted Jack to "Official Cheerio Muncher!"


I couldn't resist this one...Jack needed some new towels, since he has outgrown his infant ones. When I found this one at the store I couldn't help but giggle. As you can see Jack likes it too...he especially likes chewing on the ears. (And no I hadn't showered yet, which is why my hair is extra pretty in this picture.)


Along with eating Cheerios this week, Jack has started to get up on all fours and rock back and forth. It won't be long now until he is mobile...actually he already is...he rolls everywhere! We're keeping our fingers crossed that he does learn to crawl, so the other kids at daycare won't make fun of him, when he starts going in a few more weeks :-(


What's this!?!?!? Now we're stading too?!?!?! This is all happeing way too fast for this mom!!!!


Our good friends the Jaegers joined us for our annual Hanks' Hoo Ha, at Miller Park this year. Here we are with all of our gear getting ready to go in.


Here is a good portion of the gang who attended the Hoo Ha this year. We must be getting old, because we were all in bed by 11:00....I'm sure it had nothing to do with being up until 3:30 the night before!


A great picture of two new dads. The Hoo Ha took a turn this year with a lot of our friends having babies. We can't wait for next year when more little ones join us. (For those of you with suspicious minds...no I am not pregnant, but a brother or sister for Jack is being talked about more regularly at the Hanks house!)


Jack and Miles wore the same outfit for the game. Jack was very interested in Miles, he studied him a lot, which lead to Lindsay giving Jack a new nickname...Little Professor! Too cute I think that this one might stick!

Week Thirty Three

NEWSBREAK!!!!!!!!! Jack's first tooth decided to make an appearance this week. It was pretty funny how we found out about it. Tom was drinking some water out of a glass, and of course Jack wanted some (he LOVES to drink out your glass). After he had taken a sip of water he started gumming/chewing on the glass, and we heard a chink, chink noise. Tom and I just looked at each other and started laughing. After we confirmed the surfacing of the tooth with a "finger check," we understood why Jack had been a little clingy lately. So far things are going well, as long as we keep the Motrin and Tylenol schedule up!


Move over Beethoven...here comes Jack to tickle the ivories!


Jack shows Tom how to get out of the way of the boom when the boats tacks & jibes. It is a good thing that Jack showed him this, as Tom left on Friday to compete in his second Chicago-Mac Race. If you are interested you can check out how they are doing at www.chicagoyachtclub.org. He is crewing on Mosquito.


Emmie spots and airplane, while Jack is busy trying to dig to China.


I wasn't sure how the sandbox was going to go over. As soon as I saw Jack's hand up to his mouth, I knew it was time to be done.


After breakfast I ran out to get the pool set-up. When I came back into the kitchen I found Jack fast asleep. I guess he is pretty set on keeping 11:00 nap time!


Brrrrrr.....


Uncle Marc will be so proud! Jack tried asparagus for the first time this week. He wasn't quite sure what to think about it.

Week Thirty Two

Where's Jack?!?!?!?


Here I am!!!! Jack's new game is to hide under the blanket and then pull it off...he giggles like crazy once he is finally able to get it off.


So the parenting books suggest that children can start feeding themselves some "easy" finger foods at this stage. As you can see "easy" is code word for MESSY!! Jack had a blast attempting to eat the banana, we thought that it was also time for him to learn that the Chiquita sticker must be worn on your forehead while eating a banana.


We were invited up to Great Uncle Dana's and Great Aunt Sherry's for the 4th of July. We had a great time visiting around the campfire, boating, swimming, fishing, and watching the fireworks out on the lake. Jack was able to meet Great Uncle Dale and Great Aunt Donna for the first time, as they made a detour on their way back to Texas from Alaska.


Oh geez!! Here we go on that crazy boat thing again! Great Aunt Donna will keep me safe though! The first PFD we purchased for Jack was not a hit with him. In fact he screamed as soon as it was on. We decided to try a different one, which works out much better for him. It is too funny though...as soon as the PFD goes on he is very serious (he won't crack a smile at all!), and as soon as it comes off he is all smiles again.


Jack made it through most of the fireworks before he fell asleep. We weren't sure what to expect with the loud noises, but he really enjoyed all the bright lights.


Jack was very interested in Great Uncle Dana's cell phone ring tones.


Here kitty, kitty, kitty! This was the first time that Jack has taken an interest in Grandpa and Grandma Dresel's three cats.


Thank goodness I am safe in the laundry basket! I think Louie likes to eat little baby toes!