The shirt says it all....

Mini-Shawn Johnsons?

These two precious bambinos (now much bigger) are teaming up for Chow's fall semester of Parent & Me Gymnastics.

You may want to start budgeting for the 2025 Summer Olympics :)

Uncle Kyle

Love my Uncle Kyle :)

Winter Activities

We have decided to start a list of fun things to do with the J-bomb once the winter months arrive. Mostly because we are attached to our favorite melt-down or cranky afternoon diversions and recently realized most of the current options involve the outdoors.

Planning ahead people. It's my specialty :)


1. Walking around stores with the car/truck carts (see picture below). Currently we have discovered these carts at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Homemakers Furniture Store. Anywhere else?




2. Science Center (this doesn't fall into the beloved FREE option, though)

3. Mall indoor playgrounds

4. Indoor swimming pool at Grandma Terri's workplace

5. Cyclone Basketball Games (whoops, not free, but who doesn't love me some Hilton Magic?)

6. ?

Otherwise, the laundry basket will be our only hope...

Meltdown

For your viewing pleasure :)

Lesson for the Week: Share

A few days before the 4th of July, we had some friends over for a little "Pizza in Our Front Yard Party" It's true. We fed guests pizza in our front yard because our backyard was a mess, thanks to all the construction and building of our new deck.

Anyway, we brought out all the outdoor toys we had for the kiddos. The slide, sidewalk chalk, tricycle, etc.... and, of course, Jack's green car.

It was the beginning of trouble for that car. As you can see from above, one of our friend's sweet little boy, Brennan, was merely attempting to partake in the fun. Jack's response, "mine. Mine. MINE!"

Love the new word. (hear the sarcasm?)

Well, as if I didn't learn my lesson, I packed up Jack in his green car about a week later for our neighborhood's first block party. We've had the pleasure over the past months of meeting some of our new neighbors; either while out puttering in the yard or during an evening stroll around the block. But this, THIS, was a chance to really get to know everyone and put a face to the houses.

At first, Jack had fun "showing off" in his green car. Honking the horn. Waving to people. Sitting there proudly in the seat, eating fruit and taco salad.

Then, the adorable neighbor girl took notice. There she was, dressed to the nines in a pink skirt, walking towards my son. I could have taken her home with me.

She approached from behind, at a moment when Jack had left the car to play with a large beach ball. She jumped in the driver's seat, smiling, only then to make a fatal error: she honked the horn.

That was it. My 27-pound son was on alert. I've never seen him move so fast. So fast, I couldn't intercept before he ruined his chances of finding a neighborhood playmate in that little girl forever.

He pushed that pink skirt right out of his car. Tipping the car over to make sure she was really out.

Our new neighbors definitely have a face for our house now :)

I get it now....

Obama cookies really are delicious! I've sampled the famous treats before, but never from inside Baby Boomers Cafe and, let me tell you, they never tasted so good :) Maybe it was the delightful company of 2 delightful women that made the whole lunchtime experience good....or maybe it was the sweet chocolately goodness. Either way....I'll be back. You can count on it!

Desperate Households

Good sermon on marriage (click on picture to listen)

Work Wedding Was Wacky

and WONDERFUL

Trouble

One of his favorite words: Ball. He loves picking up the decorative balls I have in the entryway and saying "ball" It's too cute to say no :) (sometimes....)

What I do all day....

As many of you know, I now work for big brother. It is kind of a departure from life in the private sector or "real world" as the case may be, but I am learning to enjoy it. I am consistently surprised (an unexpectedly giddy) as a result of some of the "pep-talks" we get from management. That is not to say that they are necessarily bad pep-talks (though some do involve references to Captain Queeg...*) or that their intentions are misplaced, it's just that they seem to use a lot of exclamation points! And more than that, I feel like I am at an Obama rally half of the time. Can we get our cases out? Yes we can! Can we call meetings about meetings? Yes we can! Can we waste more taxpayer money? Yes we can!
*You had to look that up, didn't you? Exactly my point....

So anyway, I am trying to have some fun in my new working world. For instance, when I receive an email (true) that says: "Yes, this means you cannot even log on this weekend!!!! You may work on paper cases but you cannot log on, check email, or do anything with your computer. Just put a blanket over the screens to remind yourself not to log on!"** - I like to have some fun with it, and send an email back to the sender stating, "So, can I log onto my computer on Sunday?".
** I told you they like exclamation points!


OK, to the point of the post. Even though I never volunteered to be a part of such an awesome squad, I have somehow been put on this committee at work - The Sunshine Club - basically they send flowers when appropriate, plan parties (when appropriate), and waste time (always appropriate). Of course, they want me to be their leader - I am super fun. Anyway, the following was my introduction email to whole office. Yes, to Judges as well (I have no shame). Yes, the *'s were actually used... Sadly, nobody noticed my new title. Oh well, at least I got to use !!!!!!!!!!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

"SUBJECT: BEST NEWS EVER*...

I think I'll go for a walk outside now, the Sunshine [Club's] calling my name. Let me hear you now…**

Good afternoon everybody!

After an intense transitional meeting over sandwiches at Palmer's today, the new Sunshine Club Committee ("SCC") is ready to reign. Trevor, Suzanne, and I ran on a platform of awesome parties***, kindness, love, and fiscal responsibility. We promise that we won't disappoint!

However, in order to make our vision a reality, we need your support. As such, we need to collect some moola. Accordingly, we request 10 of your finest and freshest dollar bills to replenish our coifers [sic - yeah I am sic-ing myself]. Despite our best efforts, Trevor and I were unable to convince Suzanne to do all the dirty work, so you can give your money to any of us in the next couple weeks. Otherwise, our muscle (Suzanne) will have to hunt you down for it! If you did not give your $10 back in January, it would be awesome if you made your catch-up contributions at this time.

Per usual, while Trevor is off tilting at windmills and "looking the part," Suzanne and I will be doing the actual work for this organization. So, if you have any questions (I'm looking at you newbies!), know of a Sunshine-qualifying event, or if you would like to discuss the importance of advanced sabermetrics in baseball player performance analysis, please do not hesitate to contact us at your earliest convenience.

With your help, we have the ability to take can make the next 6 months the best ever! We can do it!

Warmest Regards,

The SCC in the 515.

John Mills
Attorney Advisor and Sunshine Club Czar

*Or that you will receive today…regarding the sunshine club.
**If a Brady Bunch reference doesn't bridge the gap for everybody in the office, then nothing can/will.
***The kind people will still be talking about in 20 years - like The Boston Tea, or Jose Canseco's Pool, Party"

Mr. Independent

Dinosaur Exhibit at Reiman Gardens

Holiday Weekend

Relaxing at Grandma Terri's

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

Loves his role as "Burger King"

First thing he points to in the morning: the Burger King crown :-)

Church Nursery Fun

The nursery supervisor sent us these funny little pictures of Jack from a couple of Sundays ago.