Jack is 2 1/2!

I do not even know where to begin....I cannot believe how much this sweet little "angel" has grown and changed our lives in the last two and a half years. I quote "angel" because when I truly stop and think - he is an angel that God placed in our lives at exactly the right moment, who brings us an immeasurable amount of joy on a daily basis. On the other hand I quote "angel", because in the last 6 months he can be anything but an angel when he wants- we have hit our terrible twos!

Jack absolutely ADORES his Daddy and Momma is pretty awesome too. The only time Dad is not so much fun is when he is in trouble- somehow Brian has "the look" that lets Jack know he's in major trouble..... cue the water works and running to Momma for protection!

He continues his love for reading and I would say we "read" no less that 5-6 books a day. He is beginning to "read" to me...mostly from memory, but he knows several of his favorites by heart and can recite some in their entirety. At the least he is more than willing to point out that I have missed/skipped a page or that I said it wrong. He loves to recite his alphabet, loves to point out shapes (even the shapes he makes while eating a sandwich), loves to play learning games on my iPad and has an infatuation with football, soccer and fixing things. He would be out front or in the field across from our house playing ball with dad all day, every day if he could. He is constantly going to get his tools, turning over his coupe and letting us know that the axle or the motor needs to be fixed. NO, I have no idea where he heard it, but I will say it is definitely in his genes! He is our "backseat driver" reminding us that we need to "hold on to our seat belts", making sure we see that stop sign two blocks ahead and letting us know that we need to be careful so that we don't have an accident.

I had no idea the memory of a two year old.  He pointed out to us that we should have received red and green chips the other day at Freebirds World Burrito- the last and only other time we were in the restaurant before last week was sometime in May (and I'm guessing the chips were colored for Cinco de Mayo?). He asked last night if he could have a flamingo cookie- flamingo cookie? Took me a few to remember that was almost a month ago at a birthday party that he had a flamingo cookie- are you kidding? He is constantly reminding us of things we have said weeks or months ago- we have our very own parrot who lives two doors down.

He has settled into his big boy bed and room like a champ! And EVEN BETTER- he has agreed to "share" his baby bed with his new little brother. Thanks goodness! He is also a champ at STAYING in bed until at least 8 am like mommy asks, courtesy of his new nightlight which deserves it's own post!

I know there are several things I am forgetting, either way- this little guys AMAZES us on a daily basis,constantly keeping us on our toes.

These pictures were taken in late July and I CANNOT believe how much he has changed in the last year. Turning in to such a little man.

New Braunfels

One of the last weekends in July we were invited to take a trip down to New Braunfels with some long time and newly acquainted friends. It was to be our first trip by ourselves away from Jack (yes, you just read that) and our last trip out of town before our second little boy arrives- so we jumped at the chance to go!

We arrived Friday in time for dinner and headed out the door. We ended up picking a place for dinner that had just opened and did not have their liquor licence yet- so they told us we could go get some alcohol to bring in. Well....leave it to Brian! Thank goodness Marina had her camera ;)

Normally, I would be up for floating the river however, I was the size of a house at the time, so no river for me! I think it ended up working out well. The boys floated on Saturday and the girls hit the outlet malls, just what I needed,  a good shopping trip!

The Boys 

And Girls 

Dinner at the Gristmill on Saturday night- yummmm!

The two (and a half) of us 

Thanks for the invite- we hope to do it again!!

My little helper...

After finally getting used to the idea and agreeing to "share" his bed, Jack has been helping me out to get things ready for "broder". Poor thing, it has been a real adjustment for him. And no, he's not even here yet...

Helping (playing) while mom puts the crib together

I guess he decided to take the clothes for a ride.

Too bad I can't point him in the direction of the cleaners yet!

He and I have been working on "broders" room as well as the boys bathroom. So, Jack has been able to do a little crafting and painting with me.

CHEESE!!! 

July 4th

We spent the 4th at the lake and it was an EXTREMELY low key weekend- absolutely perfect! Nothing exciting to report whatsoever, just the way we like it :)

Jack and Daddy throwing some washers

Jack doing a little dancing 

Decided he needed a chair so he could relax 

Taking a break after some mowing 

Some dancing with Hayley 

Jack was a total ham all weekend and they ate it up. Needless to say, it was necessary to make a cowboy hat purchase upon our arrival home. 

Giving some good-bye hugs! 

A HUGE thanks to Curt for bringing Jack ALL KINDS of cars, trucks, airplanes, a Mr. Potato Head and lets not forget a school bus! I find it hilarious that he likes that school bus so much, I don't think he will feel the same about the "yellow dog" in years to come. And another HUGE thank you to Jeff, who gave Jack donkey rides ALL weekend- I'm not sure who had more fun! Hard to believe we will have another little man along next year who will want a donkey ride as well- there may be some brotherly fighting going on ;)

May and June

Besides our trip to Disney World, may and June proved to be very busy months for us.

Starting in May, Mother's Day came and went with me sick and in bed most of the weekend-so again, no pictures.

The ever so wonderful winter that killed most every plant in Midland, killed our palm trees in our back yard. After the end of April, beginning of May, with NO life coming to our palms we decided it was time for them to go. I must say, we were not sad to see them depart. The type of palms we had were entirely too tall for our yard and served absolutely no purpose. So out with the old...

And in with the new! 

Ha! Ended up haviing to do a little tree staking with our wind!!!

Jack decided that his afternoon snack would be fun in my antique high chair. So we gave it a try. Only did that once or twice- it's a wonder the thing did not completely collapse given his weight! He thought it was so much fun to eat in the fancy room. 

Some of our friends invited Brian and I to a dinner dance for church. I don't think I'd had many preggo pictures at the time so here is documentation of my 23rd week! 

Here  comes Father's Day and almost my 28th week...hello! I, true to form, remembered to ask for a picture after Brian had already rushed to get out of his church clothes.

Here is one of my favorites of Jack. He attended Summer CDO this year, which was a huge blessing for me. He had a water day and here he is, with his back pack, headed to school. I think he's ready to start driving himself! 

I guess he thought he needed to make a few calls... 

Shenanigans Weekend

Upon our return from Disney world, Brian and I had a whopping 4 days to get ready for our annual Shenanigans Weekend with friends at the lake. My picture taking skills (along with my blogging) this summer have been limited- I am falling down on the job! This is all I have of our group :(

We had a nice weekend relaxing with friends and playing in the water. Kaden was kind enough to bring and share his "Gator", which all the kids LOVED. They drove up and down the driveway and took turns pretty well for 2 and 4 year olds! We cooked out most meals, got in a good cobbler fix ;),  the boys played washers and  we took the kids over to Sandy Beach Saturday morning was well as heading over by Hell's gate to see some of the destruction from the fires.

Jack and Daddy

Our last family of 3 photo at Shenanigans Weekend

 The kiddo's

 The group

We had some great fun and plan on it again next year! 

Disney World

At the end of May we headed off to Disney World with the whole family for a week. Here are Jack and mommy on the plane- it's go time! It was my third visit and Jack and Brian's first. I was excited to see what Jack thought and Brian had a good time as well- he's not a huge amusement park fan ;)

Here we go...

Once we arrived it did not take us long to settle in to our home away from home. We stayed at the Old Key West Hotel and Resort on the Disney World property. I highly recommend if you are going with adults and/or younger kids who don't have to be constantly entertained. It was just right for our group- not a ton of kids running everywhere and adult friendly. We were a boat ride away from Downtown Disney- Jack loved the boat rides when we took him, and it made for a nice evening on mom and dad's date night!

Pool + Sand =  A Happy Jack

Until Daddy catches him throwing sand... not so much fun once you cant throw the sand!

Forget what dad says... Right back at it!

Our first day was spent at Epcot and Jack got to stop and meet with all the characters at "The Character Spot". I think he was in shock. It took him some time to warm up, but took to the whole experience like a champ. I am missing about a million pictures- between my camera, my moms and sisters, I'm not sure what pic is on who's camera! That evening we had dinner in France- not sure it was top on Jack's list, but the rest of us thought it was yummy!

 We had breakfast with the main characters at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Magic Kingdom our second day at the park. There is just something about eating a "mickey shaped" waffle that makes it so much fun. I know there is a picture somewhere, but of course not with me!

Hi Goofy!

Jack meeting Pluto

A high-five with Donald 

Mickey! 

Jack, Daddy and Ang in line to drive the race cars- Jack could have stayed on that particular ride all week. All we heard about were driving race cars after this ride. 

Riding Aladdin's Magic Carpet - Jack and I are somewhere in this picture. Dad was on camera duty (we need to work on his snapping skills)

Our third day was spent at Animal Kingdom. Jack and Daddy really enjoyed this park with all the animals and water rides. We had our picture taken in front of the Tree of Life- picture MIA, again! We went on an African safari and were able to see all kinds of animals. We rode our safari bus being chased by pretend African poachers- Jack thought that was too much fun. We probably would have gone again if the lines weren't so long ;) We took in a "Finding Nemo" show that afternoon- had to find some A/C for all of us, including this preggo mama!

No clue who this is, but Jack loved him..

Riding a dinosaur in "Dino-land" 

 

Our breakfast at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Meeting some of the Little Einsteins. I have no clue what his name is.. suppose I should pay more attention!

I DO know this guy, Handy Manny! 

And Special Agent Oso! 

After our breakfast

In front of the Downtown set at Hollywood studios

 Mike Wazowski!

And "Catastrophe Canyon"- a small version of an action movie set. It is pretty neat- the people at Disney must think so as well. I saw this same "show" 10 years ago and I think, the visit before then, as well.

None other than one of the "Army Men" from Toy Story. They were most entertaining in the PIXAR area as we waited to meet Woody and Buzz.

Momma and Jack- "To Infinity and Beyond"! 

Finally we meet Buzz and Woody, and what does he do? FROZEN, no crying or excitement- NOTHING! He must have been in awe.. Of course, the second we left, he wanted to go see them again. 

That evening Brian and I headed to Downtown Disney for some quiet time and shopping sans Jack. We at at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant and then walked all over and found some good shopping spots. I think Downtown Disney was Brian's favorite- tons of places to eat, bars and of course perfect for me as well- shopping! They had an awesome Lego store, one of the best "Disney" stores I found in the whole park and not to forget, the Disney Christmas store. For those of us who can't get enough Christmas- heaven! I needed another suitcase...

We took him to see "Figment" on our return visit to Epcot- one of my sisters long time favorite's. He had a blast at the end jumping on the various carpets that played a corresponding instrument sound. I think he could have stayed there all day.

We had lunch in Italy that day and I must say- SUPERB! I think it was one of our best meals the whole trip. Later that evening we headed back to Magic Kingdom. Gigi had booked us a private boat so that we could go and see all the fireworks after the Main Street Parade from the water. A treat that we were not expecting was the water parade- all the boats on the water get to watch the water parade of lights while we have drinks, snacks and wait on the fireworks. We all had a great relaxing time- thanks Gigi!

We spent our last day at Disney doing some souvenir shopping and looking around in Magic Kingdom on Main Street. We took Jack on the train ride around the park (you know that was a hit) and took it easy. The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing by the pool- can't beat that!

Hope to see you again soon Disney World, we had a blast!