Week Forty One

A typical Sunday morning for us includes a breakfast of pancakes. Jack is excited that he can now have pancakes too. We purchased up some "Hungry Jack" for the special occassion.


Dad make Jack a special "J" pancake. I'm sure it won't be long until we will be making the famous "Mickey Mouse" pancakes that were so popular in the Dresel House.


Practicing for his first "keg-stand" in college.


No way am I going to share with you!


Walka-walka-walka! Jack and Dad took some "hot laps" as we waited for the Packer game to start. We realized that we are awful parents, because we have yet to get Jack his first Packer shirt. We'll be sure he has one in time for next week's game.

GO PACK GO!!!!!!


I bet you didn't know that Cheerios are the official Packer game snack?!? Of course you don't eat them out of the bowl. It is a MUST to dump them on the floor!

Week Forty

This is what happens when your son has a mouth full of carrots and then sneezes. (I didn't look much better than the tray!)


Jack started day care this week. I must say that dropping him off at day care was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Later in the week I was having a bit of "mom guilt" and decided that I needed to purchase Jack a new toy. He loves his activity table.


My two jailbirds. Jack and Tom entertained each other with the laudry baskets while I packed for our weekend away in the Dells. Jack stayed at home with Grandpa Tom and Grandma Nancy, while Tom and I headed to the Dells for an "adult weekend." Jack had a TON of fun back home with Grandpa and Grandma Hanks. They went on a few adventures to Cabela's, the zoo and Home Depot. Jack's favorite was Cabela's so he could show Grandpa and Grandma all of the goodies he wants for Christmas. Thanks for taking such good care of our little guy!

Week Thirty Nine

I think it is pretty ironic that this was the last week that I was able to be home fulltime with Jack, and I delievered Jack in my 39th week of pregnancy. This week has been bittersweet. We had a great last week of summer together, but the thought of sending Jack to day care has been looming in the back of my mind all week!


Look, Grandpa Tom! I am making my Christmas list from the Cabelas Catalog.


Breakfast in the buff!


Jack completed his first tour of Miller Brewery this past weekend. He can't wait until it is legal for him to take part in the free samples.


Uncle Marc and Lindsay came down to Milwaukee for a visit. We decided that Sunday would be a good day to go to the zoo.


Hey Dad, I think I would rather ride on the elephant's shoulders.


Uncle Marc thought it would be fun to ride the cow.


Our wonderful weekend culmintated with an AMAZING dinner prepared by Marc. This picture doesn't do the meal justice. All I can say is my mouth is still watering!!!! Jack can't wait until he can sample some of Uncle Marc's food.

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!!!!!!!!