Week Forty Three

Hey Mom, is it time for dinner yet? When I called my boys for dinner they both peeked around the corner.


Where's the beef? Oh, right here for dinner. This week begins the introduction to more "table foods." Jack really seems to be enjoying feeding himself. Let me just say one thing...it is soooo funny to watch him eat peas!


We had a wonderful Friday night this week. Ryan and Jen joined Tom, Jack and myself for a cruise on the river. This picture captures what a beautiful city we live in.


Captain Jack! (Jen was able to make him smile, eventhough he had his lifejacket on!)


Here are the four of us enjoying the cruise, while Ryan plays photographer. Needless to say we had a WONDERFUL time, and as in true Hoffe/Hanks style, the night was memorable, when we had to jump the fence to get back to our car. The sailing center was all locked up when we returned, so the five of us had to go over the fence. Thank goodness the cops didn't find us!!!!!


A Sunday morning snuggle with Mom.


A Sunday afternoon snooze with Mom, during the Packer game.


The best part of the weekend....our first batch of apple crisp! YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Week Forty Two

Here we go!!!!! Jack found the drawer with the pots and pans! He thought he had found a wonderful treasure....can someone please get me an asprin?


Don't worry Daddy, I'll figure out a way to get us out of here. Mom thinks she is so smart by shutting us in here.


Jack got his first pair of shoes this week. As you can see he looked pretty dapper!


Come on Mom...it's time to go to daycare. Although I continue to have a rough time leaving Jack at daycare, he LOVES it. He has made some new friends, who are always happy to see him.


This past weekend we attended our second of three 30th birthday parties. The first was for our wonderful friends the Hoffes, the second was for our good friend Chris, and the final one, this month will be for Tom. (I am happy to say that I have a WHOLE year before I will meet this milestone.) HAPPY BIRTHDAY to everyone!

The suprise party for Chris, was held in Eau Claire, so we were able to get to see all of the grandparents too! Jack entertained Grandpa Tim and Grandma Jane with some beautiful music, while we helped Chris celebrate.


Waiting to get into the BIG bathtub!

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.