Running and Jumping. (And swimming if my Mom would just let me). Love, Jack
It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not to dream. -Bern Willams
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
My Boys
Getting to watch the father son relationship grow and deepen between Mike and Jack is so much fun! I always knew Mike would be an awesome Dad and he was more amazing than I could have imagined with the baby stage, but now it is incredible to watch Jack be in awe of his Dad. At 2 years old he wants to rough house with his Dad, put on deodorant and cologne like his Dad, wear what his Dad wears, and do whatever his Dad is doing. You know the saying that goes like, "Only marry a man if you want your sons to be like him". Well Jack totally wants to be Mike and I love it!
My favorite is when they are snuggling and I catch Jack just starring at him, like he is wondering, "Do I look like him? Sure hope I do". Now a days he pretends to pull off Mike's noes, ears, lips and hair and try and put it on his face (like when you steal someones noes type thing). It's super cute.
Dad's are always their sons hero's and I am thankful that Mike is up for the job!
Friday, February 10, 2012
First Sunset
Watching the sunset is probably our favorite thing to do in Florida.
I have a love for sunsets. So does the family. To me it is the most peaceful time of the day, a daily reminder to give thanks. The house I grew up in had amazing views of the sunset over the forest preserve, one of the many things that made me fall in love with Hope College was the amazing sunsets over Lake Michigan, our first newlywed condo overlooked the sunsetting over the park, and with each house since we have found the "view" in which to enjoy the closing of the day.
To memory though Florida has given us some the most beautiful sunsets! We load up the car with "dips & happy juice" and jet over to the beach. The guys have it down to a science (with the occasional slip up of forgetting a key ingredient). This year it was so much fun to see Jack fall in love with the beach and sunsets. Actually he was the ring leader, if you asked him where he wanted to go at any point on the trip it was, "THE BEACH"!
As you can imagine I have hundreds of beach pictures. I could not help myself each one was unique and I couldn't get over Jack's joy. So this is just the first installment of beach pictures from our extended Florida holiday!
I have a love for sunsets. So does the family. To me it is the most peaceful time of the day, a daily reminder to give thanks. The house I grew up in had amazing views of the sunset over the forest preserve, one of the many things that made me fall in love with Hope College was the amazing sunsets over Lake Michigan, our first newlywed condo overlooked the sunsetting over the park, and with each house since we have found the "view" in which to enjoy the closing of the day.
To memory though Florida has given us some the most beautiful sunsets! We load up the car with "dips & happy juice" and jet over to the beach. The guys have it down to a science (with the occasional slip up of forgetting a key ingredient). This year it was so much fun to see Jack fall in love with the beach and sunsets. Actually he was the ring leader, if you asked him where he wanted to go at any point on the trip it was, "THE BEACH"!
As you can imagine I have hundreds of beach pictures. I could not help myself each one was unique and I couldn't get over Jack's joy. So this is just the first installment of beach pictures from our extended Florida holiday!
At sunset nature is painting us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty. -John Ruskin
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Snow Day
The first thing my eyes saw this morning was white. Yuck. I am not a winter person although I appreciate a winter wardrobe. Our first Kentucky snow, aka "dusting". Jack was super excited but this momma was not ready to put her boots on and head outside at 7:45 am., especially without any coffee. Second day in a row without any filters. Jenny functioning without any caffeine is basically not functioning at all, and I have had to majorly reduce already.
Than the sweetest surprise, my prince showed up at the door with hot coffee and pancakes (a craving from last night). The snow day took a turn for the better! Since I got a sweet treat this morning I returned the favor by trekking outside with my little man. We strapped on the rain boots, furry hat, and put a Jacket over his Thomas the Train Christmas Pajama's. This is the second day in a row that I can pry the child out of them for the life of me. Jack was fascinated with it but at the same time he thought it was "yucky and wet". He's my boy.
It's now 11am and the snow is almost gone, but the light rain is making it a mostly indoor day and catch up day. Catch up on the laundry, cleaning, decorating, organizing of my wardrobe into clothes that can actually be worn these next few months, and catch up on editing the 800 pictures I took in Florida so I can do some major blog updates! Jack is happy all snuggled in the big bed, in the dog bed, watching some Mickey now.
Stay tuned for more...
Than the sweetest surprise, my prince showed up at the door with hot coffee and pancakes (a craving from last night). The snow day took a turn for the better! Since I got a sweet treat this morning I returned the favor by trekking outside with my little man. We strapped on the rain boots, furry hat, and put a Jacket over his Thomas the Train Christmas Pajama's. This is the second day in a row that I can pry the child out of them for the life of me. Jack was fascinated with it but at the same time he thought it was "yucky and wet". He's my boy.
It's now 11am and the snow is almost gone, but the light rain is making it a mostly indoor day and catch up day. Catch up on the laundry, cleaning, decorating, organizing of my wardrobe into clothes that can actually be worn these next few months, and catch up on editing the 800 pictures I took in Florida so I can do some major blog updates! Jack is happy all snuggled in the big bed, in the dog bed, watching some Mickey now.
Stay tuned for more...
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Christmas 2011
The suburban was loaded up, suitcases packed, presents all wrapped, Mickey Mouse Christmas Sing Along DVD playing, and the sweet smell of baked goods teased us for the 5.5 hours ahead. Home for Christmas it was!
Getting to spend Christmas with the family in the same house I have decades of wonderful Christmas memories in is very special to me. Love me my traditions. This year with Jack being 2 years old, well let's just say I was pumped for Christmas. Jack loves (obsessed with) Christmas trees and can't get enough of the Christmas cookies and music and Santa, so I could only imagine what he was going to do when he rushed down the stairs Christmas morning and saw the Christmas tree spilling with brightly covered presents (we will get to that later on).
Arriving a day early meant we had to time to visit Santa at the Ice House Mall. Again, I couldn't wait to see Jack's expression as he got to meet the real Santa Clause! Jack wouldn't even attempt to sit on his lap. Stinker. But Santa was sweet and took a group shot!
On Christmas Eve the rest of the family drove down from Wisconsin. It was my first time in 3 years getting attend Christmas Eve service at Willow with the family and I was pretty excited to sing "Silent Night" with everyone. Willow Creek had a great service, of course Mike and I watched it from the lobby as Jack marched up on down the many staircases. But we spent it together as a family so that is what matters!
With church running later into the night it didn't make sense to have someone stay behind to cook the ham, so our family started the tradition of serving Christmas Eve appetizers, and lots of them. This year I brought the sweets because I was on a baking binge and they were the easiest to travel with. I made way too many as no one is ever hungry enough for dessert after all of the dinner apps. After eating we move onto presents. Opening presents on Christmas Eve is another change we made about 6 years ago. My mom grew up opening presents on Christmas Eve, so after 20+ years my Dad gave in. This year we changed things up again and only opened up about half of the gifts because I wanted there to be Jack's presents under the tree in the morning...and because we all go over board gifting for one another and the love gestures go on for hours making it a very late night.
Finally it was Christmas Morning! Our little CEO arose at 5:15am. I was so excited to see him race down the stairs. Mike went down first and made sure the tree was lite and everything was just right. I brought Jack down and he said, "Juice. Cheerio's. Mickey." His normal morning commands. Really kid? Nothing? At that moment I knew I went overboard and had too high of expectations. Ugh. Have you ever heard of the gifting rule, get them the number of gifts for how old they are? I thought that sounded scroogie but now I know that is probably good practical advice. After all Jack does only have the attention span of a 2 year old. He didn't even get through all of his gifts! We left for Florida with wrapped presents still under the tree.
Nonetheless, it was a peaceful and relaxing family day. Celebrating Christmas with the ones I love.
I really couldn't ask for more!
Getting to spend Christmas with the family in the same house I have decades of wonderful Christmas memories in is very special to me. Love me my traditions. This year with Jack being 2 years old, well let's just say I was pumped for Christmas. Jack loves (obsessed with) Christmas trees and can't get enough of the Christmas cookies and music and Santa, so I could only imagine what he was going to do when he rushed down the stairs Christmas morning and saw the Christmas tree spilling with brightly covered presents (we will get to that later on).
Arriving a day early meant we had to time to visit Santa at the Ice House Mall. Again, I couldn't wait to see Jack's expression as he got to meet the real Santa Clause! Jack wouldn't even attempt to sit on his lap. Stinker. But Santa was sweet and took a group shot!
On Christmas Eve the rest of the family drove down from Wisconsin. It was my first time in 3 years getting attend Christmas Eve service at Willow with the family and I was pretty excited to sing "Silent Night" with everyone. Willow Creek had a great service, of course Mike and I watched it from the lobby as Jack marched up on down the many staircases. But we spent it together as a family so that is what matters!
With church running later into the night it didn't make sense to have someone stay behind to cook the ham, so our family started the tradition of serving Christmas Eve appetizers, and lots of them. This year I brought the sweets because I was on a baking binge and they were the easiest to travel with. I made way too many as no one is ever hungry enough for dessert after all of the dinner apps. After eating we move onto presents. Opening presents on Christmas Eve is another change we made about 6 years ago. My mom grew up opening presents on Christmas Eve, so after 20+ years my Dad gave in. This year we changed things up again and only opened up about half of the gifts because I wanted there to be Jack's presents under the tree in the morning...and because we all go over board gifting for one another and the love gestures go on for hours making it a very late night.
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| The Girls |
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| The Guys |
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| MarBear always does a fabulous job with the Christmas decor. |
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| Oma and Opa's little Buddy. |
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| Neither our child or dog would sit for a photo opp. Sam stepped in. |
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| Amazed |
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| Huge fan of Christmas Appetizers |
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| Fading Fast |
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| My "BeerDeer" for Uncle Mike |
Nonetheless, it was a peaceful and relaxing family day. Celebrating Christmas with the ones I love.
I really couldn't ask for more!
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| Merry Christmas Preppy! |
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| Got to love the early morning family pictures. |
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| My Christmas Present a visit with Sara Boe! |
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| Opa and Little Opa |
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
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