Jack Had a Birthday, Shout Hooray!

Well we all survived a year together, and I think all are pretty happy with each other. I know I feel like I am very blessed to have Jack and Jared with me:)

Jack sure enjoyed the packages that were arriving for him all week.

We started Jack's special day off with a few errands and lunch at Mimi's Cafe. We then headed home for a nap and to decorate the house. When Jack woke up he was in love with all the balloons and banners and chocolate cupcakes on the table. He's so sneaky... he tried pulling the runner on the table down so the cupcakes would come tumbling down too. Luckily I caught everything before it all ended up on the floor.

I was so excited to let him open all his gifts because I was sure once he had more toys he wouldn't go to the stairs leading down to the front door and whine to go outside. So we let him him loose ...

He waited very patiently while we put his toys together ... and even wanted to help. Maybe for Christmas he will get a tool set!

We topped the night out with some cake, and Jack LOVED it:)

Happy birthday, Jack. We are so glad you are part of our family and we look forward to spending many special days with you.

... and the day after his birthday he still wanted to go outside all day. Maybe for Christmas Santa will bring him a big house with a big backyard!

A Day with the Monkeys

We've been keeping busy lately with introducing Jack to new things. For Labor Day we stayed local and took Jack to the San Diego Zoo. He loved it! He especially enjoyed the petting zoo. He wanted to be right in the mix with the animals.

He chased the goats,

and he tried to dine with them.

He and dad took some fun pictures with a flower backdrop

and played in a helicopter.

Probably Jack's favorite part was the skyline ride across the zoo,

or maybe the chocolate ice cream! This kid loves sweets:)

Look at Me Walk!

So I've been experimenting with iMovie. I still need a lot of practice, but I need to get Jack's first steps out to the grandmas before he runs up to them!

Attaboy!

Like everyone else, I've been lazy with blogging in the month of August, but we haven't been light on news.

Congratulations to LT, I mean LCDR to be, Taylor. Yes, Jared received news that he was selected for promotion to Lieutenant Commander. Looks like the Navy is shaping up to be a great career for Jared, and we will be staying in the military for the the final 10 to retirement.

On the Jack front, he is growing up. He has almost mastered walking and we will be sure to post some good video of him soon. He took his first steps in church two weeks ago. He was on a mission to attack a plant. Since then he has been practicing every day and looks so cute waddling around the house.

While you wait for his walking videos check out how he would prefer to spend most days ... naked!

Week of Fun - Day 5

Our week of fun is coming to a close. We spent our last day of R&R at the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla.

Jack thought the fish were pretty cool and wanted to touch every one of them.

We then went out to the tide pools, and he loved trying to be a big kid and splash in the water.

And then he decided it's funner to splash when you're in the water! Good thing dad was there to restrain him!

Good thing they had some fake sea life for Jack to maul. He loved it!

And he loved to take in the sites of La Jolla.


The aquarium was a good time with Jack. After all, he does think he belongs in the water.

Week of Fun - Day 4

Well today we really did get some R&R. We all woke up pretty wiped from all our fun. Jack seemed to enjoy being at home in his pj's and we were pretty happy to just lounge around also.

We did venture out for a few errands and to do some home shopping. No we are not going to buy a new home here in Carlsbad, but we love to tour model homes, and they just opened some new ones down the street. It's always fascinating to us what a half million dollars will buy you in Southern California!

Here is Jack playing in one of the homes... we think he wants to be a doctor when he grows up!

Week of Fun - Day 3

Today we did something more or less for Jared and me than Jack. In fact, when we arrived at the historic site, Mormon Battalion, Jack wouldn't wake up from his snooze in the car that he NEVER does and then when we showed up to the site, this was his first reaction.

But then once he saw his dad getting into the interactive tour he got pretty into it too.

The church has been renovating this site for the past year and a half and they did a great job. We highly recommend visiting the battalion next time you're in town.