Project Jack.

Jack loves to work on projects with dad, especially if he gets to use tools(one of his favorite words). This project was tightening the screws on the dinner table chairs.

Sick Jack.

Poor Jack caught a cold last week. This is by far the worst cold we have had to deal with(I guess that's pretty good since Jack is already 20 months old). Over the weekend mom and dad caught the same bug...hopefully we will all be back to normal soon!

Nap time.

Jack sleeping hard. On this day he had already slept 4 hours for his afternoon nap and I was trying to get him to wake slowly so that he would still go to bed as usual that night.

Jack misses dad.

Neil went to California for two weeks for some training, Jack and I found plenty to do to keep busy...but we still missed dad!

Handsome.

Jack hanging out in Mom & Dad's room. Watching some Cat and the Hat, while enjoying animal crackers with milk, beginning to be a morning tradition.

The Playground.

Two weeks ago I took Jack to The Playground, it is an indoor play place in Ankeny that children can jump in bounce houses, slide down slides and several other inflatables. They also have a very elaborate jungle gym, I was ready for a nap when we were finished...and a bit sore the next day.

Peaceful ride home.

Jack has now figured out how to float on his back with his life vest.

We all swam in the pool at the hotel, the morning we left the cities. The day before we went to The Water Park of America. It was a blast! Jack played non-stop for hours, and of course did not want to leave. We all slept well that night. No pictures of the water park though, didn't want to stop having fun to take a picture.

Peanut Butter and Bananas...yum.

Mall of America.

The roller coasters and rides amazed Jack. Maybe on our next trip Jack will be big enough to go on a few rides.

Fun at the arcade.

Jack and mom were tired of being cooped up in the house due to this wonderful cold winter weather, so dad took us out to the Incredible Pizza Company to play and have fun.

Jack likes chocolate.

We get back home and Jack has the urge to demo all his new gifts.

Jack really enjoys his table and chairs. For the fist couple of days he mostly enjoyed carrying the chairs around the house with him, now he likes to sit down and color or play with stickers. The "snort" is also a favorite.(reference the book Are You My Mother)

G'ma Darla stops by with more gifts for Jack.

I've been meaning to "Thank You" for the Barrel full of monkeys...I feel like all I am ever doing is picking monkeys up around the house.

Out to brunch with the Stanfords.

Obviously, Grandma Ruby does not have Tot Locks!

Jack pets dinner.

Neil's parents hosted a special New Years Eve dinner, in which live lobster was the main course.

Jack & Abby open Christmas presents.

Abby is Jack's only cousin. She is 3 years old and lives in Sioux Falls.

Jack & Great G' Pa Bob.

Over New Years weekend the family went to Sioux Falls to celebrate Christmas. We had a great visit and had wonderful driving conditions. When we left Des Moines it was around 64 degrees outside, when we got out of the car in Sioux Falls it was 14 degrees...wow, we sure don't miss that!