JUST JACK!

Jack is six months old today. In honor of this sacred event I am posting pictures of Jack only. He doesn't do a whole lot, but we're sure proud of him. He rolls over, he's working on a couple of teeth and he has just recently started reaching out for toys and people, but he's still not sleeping through the night. Jack's hobbies include chewing on things, watching Lilly and Hank and touching people's faces. He is a sweet little (I use that word loosely) guy and he almost always has a smile for everyone.
Just relaxing today. Jack doesn't sit up yet, but he can be propped against any number of things.
It just happened to be 85 degrees today so Jack was able to embrace his redneck roots and hang out outside in nothing but his diaper. What a great opportunity to show off his new diaper jeans.

After dinner we celebrated Jack's 1/2 birthday by walking to town for ice cream. Well...Bryan, Lilly and I had ice cream...Jack slept.

Six months is a big deal because it marks the begining of solid foods. Jack has been eating rice cereal and a little bit of oatmeal for almost two months, but now he can try some other 'real' foods. As you can see he has barely mastered the rice...he still can't seem to keep 100% of it in his mouth, but he enjoys it anyway.

When they are little kids change so much in the first year and from month to month. We can't wait to see what you do next. Happy 1/2 birthday Jack!

Pittsburgh

A couple of months ago I got off of the phone with my best friend and said wistfully to Bryan, "We should go see Courtney". I assumed that I would get a scowl and a comment about the six hour drive. Instead, he said, "Set it up. We can visit my aunt and uncle too." And a trip was made.
We arrived on Thursday evening after a long, long car ride. We learned a lot about traveling with two kids instead of one and also a little about traveling with a new pottier. For one thing, she's got our number. If she wants to stop and get out of the car for any reason all she needs to say is, "I need to go potty." and we are pulling off at the next exit. This has never worked for me. Anyway, we finally made it to Pittsburgh and felt very welcome staying with Aunt Peg and Uncle John. We had a cook out that night and included Courtney and her kids and also cousin Amy, please see the 'Lonesome Dove' blog from November 2009 for more on cousin Amy.
The next day we headed to the Children's Museum to meet Courtney and her family. Unfortunately Grant couldn't make it. Needless to say, Bryan was devastated, but later perked up when he realized that he could pretend that he was a polygamist.
First stop at the Children's Museum was Mr.Roger's Neighborhood. Lilly found the castle and dress up clothes and camped there while the rest of us checked out the other features of the exhibit. She loved the cape...I may have to make her one.
Bryan spent much of his time cussing for Grant...and rocking strollers and watching purses.

Not a great picture, but one of the only ones with Lilly and Aiden together. Despite that fact that we have no photographic proof they became great friends and spent any time apart asking about the other.

Courtney and Maddie get in on the action in the water play room.

Lilly playing in the water. Courtney suggested I bring some extra clothes for Lilly because even with a rain coat both kids would still be soaked. But, the raincoats were cute anyway.

Being an old pro at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum Aiden knew just what he wanted. He came in, found the toy shark and held onto it until we left.

Bryan again, wishing Grant had come. I think by this point Bryan and Jack were starting to get a little fussy.

After the museum we went back to John and Peg's for pizza and then laid out plans for the zoo the next day. Here are Lilly, Bryan and Uncle John watching the only animals at the zoo to actually move that day, the Springboks.

Jack wasn't interested in the actual giraffe, but he sure was excited about the one that he brought from home.

At the aquarium the exhibit that drew the largest crowd was the one being cleaned. Lilly saw the divers, pointed and shrieked at Bryan, "Those guys took Nemo!" He convinced her that they were not, in fact, the same people from 'Finding Nemo' and she got a little closer to investigate. She put her hand on the glass and the diver did the same.

Please notice that Lilly and Aiden both are climbing on the rocks right by the sign that says, 'Do Not Climb on Rocks', under the watchfull eyes of both their fathers.

We had a great time and can't wait to go back. Maybe next time when all the kids are a little older and Jack is more cooperative we can take Uncle John and Aunt Peg up on their offer to watch all four kids...for a short time.

Easter

After such a big day on Saturday we didn't do a lot for Easter. In fact, we forgot to explain to Lilly about the Easter bunny or color eggs until Sunday morning. But, the Easter bunny came anyway and Lilly seemed to catch on pretty quick.
Lilly and Jack's Easter baskets. Can you guess who got the rice cereal?
Lilly hunted Easter eggs on Sunday morning and when she found this one she gasped, "A magic egg!" It was not magic. But, it did have a dollar in it. Lilly found all of the eggs, but split the coins that she found with Jack. She didn't seem to mind whose piggy bank the money went into, as long as she got to put it in there.

Jack and his bunny. It was not a candy bunny, but he tried to eat it anyway.

Hunting eggs in (due to the rain) my parents' house. Lilly is very stylish and used her polo bag to collect eggs instead of the traditional basket.

AppleHammer Cabin Ribbon Cutting

On April 23 something very special happened in Parke County Indiana. Many people, family and friends, gathered to celebrate the completion of the brand new cabin and join in the fun of a ribbon cutting ceremony. My family has been camping, hunting, riding four wheelers, and partying at this property for over 25 years. The old 'cabin', if you want to call it that, has been in disrepair for most of these 25 years and it was time to replace it. I can't even begin to describe the old cabin to you, but if you picture your garden shed with a loft and nowhere near as plush you have a vague idea of where we have slept.
A couple years ago AppleHammer Industries (ie my dad and my uncle Chris) started talking about building a new, nicer cabin. The new cabin would have porches, actual windows, and most importantly, running water, only one level and a lot more space. The old cabin had electricity and a water spigot outside, but the new one is laid out to potentially have a toilet (gasp) and a much need shower.
The AppleHammer Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was a big event. There were speeches, a poem, a toast, gifts, and of course, the actual cutting of ribbon.
As the AppleHammer Event Coordinator I opened the event with the reading of a poem that was a tribute to the old cabin.

Wes was chosen to give the PBR Toast. Pabst Blue Ribbon was my grandpa's favorite beer and the cabin was one of his favorite places. It seemed only right that Mutt be included in the opening of the new cabin.

Dad and Chris were prepared to hack through the red ribbon with their pocket knives. But, why do that when you could just use giant ribbon cutting scissors.

Even Grandma came to see the new cabin. The wood carving is a morel mushroom done by Mark DeWeese with a chainsaw. Chris and Dad's hats are a tribute to the Amish man that built the cabin for them. Dad's suspenders, unfortunately, are not in any way related to the Amish hats, but just something he wears. Jack and Lilly are the fourth generation to enjoy the Parke County Property. This was Jack's second time there, the first being the previous weekend to get ready for the ceremony.

This is what its all about. After the festivities were over everyone melted into the woods to hunt for the elusive mushroom. As you might guess by everyone's posture, we're on a patch right now. Jack didn't do much mushroom hunting while in the woods, but he did seize the opportunity to take a nap. Lilly, on the other hand, seems to be pointing Papaw in the direction of a potential find.

Getting a little tired of hiking, Lilly takes a rest on a log. After a very long day both of my children were carried, crying, out of the woods.

All of the guys, minus Bryan, spent the night at the cabin. Bryan had to come home so he could be an Easter Bunny in the morning. But, we can't wait to go back and take the whole family to spend the night at the cabin. Lilly already has her cot all picked out. Sorry Chris, I think its yours.

Three for Three

To round out the trifecta of birthday celebrations for Lilly we had a small family dinner on Saturday night. I cooked her favorite, beef stroganoff and broccoli. Then we sang, had cake and ice cream and then moved right along to opening presents. Lilly loves decorations, so while she was napping we surprised her by decorating her chair. Then, after rolling his eyes when I asked him to help with the chair Bryan got swept up in the excitement and decorated the rest of the dinning room with streamers and balloons. Lilly's princess castle cake. I worked so hard to make this cake for her, it took two days to make, from scratch, the strawberry cake, the butter cream filling, the strawberry meringue butter cream and the rice crispy treats to make the spires. Lilly's reaction when she saw it, "Um....why did you put my princesses on there?"

Lilly's cards and gifts.

Singing 'Happy Birthday'.

Digging in to the presents.

Taking a break. Aunt Tiki was kind enough to take pictures during the party so I could actually participate. She asked Lilly to smile so she could get a picture of her pretty birthday outfit. This is what she got. Please note: Lilly picked out her own outfit and then added pearls, a bracelet and a ring to it...and sparkly shoes, not pictured.

....and another mushroom stick carved by Papaw.

Bryan and I got Lilly a small play kitchen for her birthday and spread the word so she would receive a few accessories to go with it. She as a happy girl. She loves her kitchen. We have been cooking almost nonstop since Bryan carried it in the house. Well, we did take a little break to watch her new movie, 'Tangled'.

Thank you everyone. Lilly had a great birthday!

Lilly Turns Three

Last night I tucked a two year old into bed and then this morning a three year old came into my room and woke me up. The fact that she was able to get out of her room all by herself is another matter all together. Lilly got up kind of early, which was annoying, but it actually worked out great because Jack continued to sleep. So, Bryan and I had about an hour to spend with just Lilly this morning. We started by making cinnamon rolls and opening two of her birthday presents, crazy hair and all. Modeling her new umbrella and boots. We were hoping for rain today, but no luck. Maybe tomorrow.

Lilly was very excited when she got up from her nap (in which she didn't sleep at all) to find that Aunt Cammie, Uncle Ed, Matthew and Morgan had sent her a balloon bouquet.

Doing a little birthday painting.

Today just happened to be gymnastics day too!

Then, we went to Red Robin for dinner. Lilly was happy about the sundae, but buried her head in Papaw's arm when the servers started singing.

Opening another present.

....and modeling that present after her bath.

Happy Birthday Lilly! Mommy and Daddy love you! Hope you had a great day, there's still more to come.

It Began with a Butterfly Birthday

In my family we don't really do the whole Birthday thing. We do more of a birth weekend. You get your actual birthday and the weekend that is closest to it. Sometimes, depending on scheduling conflicts, you can drag your birthday celebration out to two weekends. And that, is exactly what Lilly is doing for her third birthday. This year we decided to split the party up a little. We started this past weekend by having a couple of Lilly's friends over on Saturday, and their parents too...we aren't that crazy yet. I made cupcakes, Bryan grilled hot dogs and the kids played. We did a spring theme with butterfly and flower cupcakes. Jack and I made it into a picture. Thanks Russ!

Here are the party goers. Russ, my photographer, tried to take a nice picture of all four kids smiling and standing still...This is what we got. The phrase "herding cats" came to mind during the photo shoot. From left: Lilly, Morgan, Avery and Georgie Blowing out her candle.

Avery opted for a cupcake with a flower sucker and peanut butter bug on top.

While Morgan chose a butterfly.

I didn't get a picture of Georgie with his cupcake, but I'm certain that he got one. A family photo. Very rare. Again, thanks Russ for using my camera and taking some pictures. Tania took lots of pictures too, but realized too late that her memory card was at home in the computer. Lilly opening her gift. For this party Bryan and I wanted to give Lilly something that she could play with outside and that all of her friends could enjoy with her. So, we got her a croquette set for kids. We thought this was a great idea, but after Lilly opened it we realized that all we had done was armed four sugared up three year olds with mallets.

We had a lot of fun on Saturday. The playset got a lot of use and Avery was kind enough to bring her bounce house. We also painted flower pots and planted bulbs in them. (By 'planted bulbs' I mean that we intended to plant bulbs, but the pots took longer to dry that I anticipated so I sent everyone home with their bulb in a bag. Hopefully, they are in their pots by now). We moved the party inside after dinner and watched the Butler game while the kids played. It was a great way to kickoff Lilly's birthday celebrations and I'm pretty sure she had a good time. She slept until almost 9:30am the next day.