Halloween 2009

How do you like this? Two years in a row I have Halloween pictures on Halloween! Now if only I could keep up to date on my regular posts.

Here's Jack as a swashbuckling pirate. I couldn't find a toy saber for the costume so he's making do with a piece of wooden railroad track!

Is this what you call a modern day pirate? Notice the remote control in his hand! All the while I was grabbing my camera for this shot Mazzy is telling Jack to get down off the table (as she should) but I was thinking, "Wait! That'll make a great picture!"

Ajha, the old lady, and Mazzy, the vampiress.

This picture actually doesn't do Ajha's costume justice- she had a pillow stuffed in her bottom and two partially deflated beach balls stuffed in her top. In profile, she was quite a sight to see!

Jack got his one piece of candy and he was satisfied. He spent the rest of the time at Grandma Nancy's running up & down the hall.

Finally, the whole set of trick-or-treating cousins-

Mazzy, Jack, Ajha, Caleb & Derek!

Random Jack II

Here are more random shots of Jack to catch you all up. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed taking them.

9/23/2009

I don't know what it is about this picture but I love it! As you can see, Jack got a bit too close to the camera but he was smiling so that's all the matters.

What a goofy kid!

9/19/2009

What is it about kids and laundry baskets? Add Jack to the list of kids who love to sit in one, and if he's really lucky, get pulled around in one!

9/13/2009

"Hey Ma! What are you doin' in my tent?"


"Where's Jack?"


"Here I am!"

" Hi! My name is Jack! What's yours?"

8/27/2009

This is a position I'll be seeing for years to come, I'm sure.

Here it's his remote control car. When he's with Mazzy, they hang out on the big chaise lounge chair in Caleb's room watching cartoons, Jack in this exact postion!

Can you tell the boy is like his father?

Jack can't get enough of Seth's phone!

For Chanda

After Zach's birthday party, a bunch of us were sitting around the pool chewing the fat, sipping cocktails & revelling in the fact that there weren't any small children that we were responsible for any where near us. Some time during this event Chanda got the idea in her head that she wanted to push Rob in the pool. For those of you who don't know one or both of these people, Rob is a head taller than and more than a few stones heavier than Chanda. She thought she could catch him off guard but once Rob caught on the pictures below were what happened. Tara was on hand to help them both into the water!

Mayor's Block Party 2009

Wow! What a sucessful day!

The Mayor's Block Party put Heritage Days to shame. Even though Jack slept through most of the Kidz Block Party everyone seemed to be having a good time when we finally got there at 4:00. Then it was on to 1st Ave where The Accidentals drew a huge crowd. And I've got to say that they played like they've been playing everyday for the last 30 years instead of being on hiatus. I felt bad for the band who went on after them because the crowd all but disappeared after The Accidentals' set. They also came back on stage around 10:45 to wrap up the night and the crowd was even bigger then. It was like no one wanted the evening to end. Instead of playing the planned 3 songs, Randy kept telling them "One more song!" until we got a 6 song encore out of them. Even the weather cooperated for the mayor. For you all who haven't met Mayor Randy, he's a big man who likes cool temperatures so he was comfortable while the rest of us kept going into the bar just to warm up (and get a refill of course).

Thank you Mayor Bolen for a great day!

Seth's B-17 Adventure

One day at the end of May, I got the mail. That day Seth had gotten a flyer about riding in a WWII B-17 airplane. A few years ago he had a similar opportunity but didn't take it and said he'd like to take that ride... someday. Normally I would put Seth's mail on the counter by the door so he sees it when he walks in so that's where I put this flyer. Then I realized that this would be a great birthday/Father's Day gift so I stole the flyer and hid it for a few days. I put it in a card and gave him his gift a few weeks early. He was very excited!

As you can see from the goofy smile on his face, he was enjoying the ride...

and it was really HOT that day!

This shot was taken during take off. Seth was sitting where the radio man would sit and there was a little bubble window looking out over the back of the plane.

(I think that's what he told me!)

Over the lake with Park Point & the harbor in the background.

Looking at where the nose gunner would sit.

The Superior entrance of the Duluth harbor out one of the side gunner windows.

From behind while taxiing during take off.

I think this one is my favorite. The contrasts in color and the blur of the propellers is cool!

I always thought this would look cool painted on a wall somewhere.

We were there to witness the exciting day.

Jack & Grandma Nancy

We almost got them to smile too!

My guys. Jack & his Pops.

And a scantily clad portrait of course.

Happy Birthday & Happy Father's Day, Seth.

I love you!

Random Jack

Here's a few photos to catch you up. They were taken over a span of about 5 weeks and are some of my favorites. I hope you like them too.

5/10/2009

The required tubby time shots were taken by special request of Grandma Nancy. She has her bathroom decorated with 4 generations of kids in various stages of undress. Whether they're in a swim suit in a pool or stark naked in a bath there they all are smiling at the camera.

6/8/2009

This bed-head, morning hair-do was the inspiration behind Jack's first haircut.

5/23/2009

"Hello? Is there anybody in there?"

I think this is my favorite hat that Jack has worn. I can't get over the stripes!

This is Jack saying "What's that?" or something we interpret as "what's that." He's been saying it for months now but he keeps getting a response to it so I'm sure he'll keep saying it. As for what he was pointing at? I have no idea!

6/20/2009

And one shot of Mazzy. This is what happens to her already crazy hair when she's on the trampoline too long!

6/21/2009
Jack, Seth & Grandpa Dean on Father's Day. Dean brought Jack a little treasure box that will be perfect for the tooth fairy in a few years!

6/20/2009

Why do so many people stick their tongues out when they're concentrating?

6/19/2009

On Seth's birthday, Jack was, of course, more interested in the gift bag. It really was a big bag!

6/16/2009

"What's going on in there?"

This is what I see whenever I'm in the kitchen... especially when I'm in there getting a meal ready for this little spy.

6/15/2009
Isn't he a cutie?

6/14/2009

As you can see this was taken pre-haircut. He's laughing because he's shutting the front door on me.

And now he's opening it. Suprise!

Jack's First Haircut

As you can see from this dim picture, Jack was ready for his first haircut. When I mentioned this to both of his Grandmas they said "You're going to cut off his baby curls?" Yep. That's what I was going to do. We went to see Aunt Luann at the New Hairitage to get a new look. With Auntie Amy there to record the event for the future presidential library, Caleb, Ajha & Mazzy were sent across the street to the Dairy Queen to get them out from under foot.

The first cut is the hardest right? This was it and Jack handled it like a champ!

The biggest problem we ran into during the cut was that Jack kept getting hair stuck on his wet thumb. He was not impressed with getting a mouth full of hair.

This was about the time when the cousins came in with their DQ treats. Can you tell what he was thinking?

Nothing phased this kid.


What a handsome kid! It sure is nice to not have to keep brushing his hair out of his eyes anymore. And I think this little bitty boy looks great with a big boy hair cut. And the Grandmas needn't have worried for Jack is a Kempffer after all... once the humidity spikes his hair curls right up!