4th of July

Family tradition for me growing up was always going over to the parent's house of Jack's Godfather for the 4th of July, so we decided to do it again this year! Thanks Doug and Caralee for having us! We started the afternoon swimming in the pool...

"Okay, I can do this! But first- a little liquid courage!"

"Oh yeah! I'm definitely ready for the water now."

"I mean- if a giiiiiirl can do it..."

"Actually, the diving board's a little intimidating. How about a little help, Dad?"

"Not so bad with the legs in. Let's try a little deeper."

"Holy $#@&!!!!! That's COLD"


"COLD! COLD! COLD!"

"Just my toes from now on. Much better, thanks."

It took a little while, but eventually he was jealous of the big kids swimming by themselves.

Claire and Jack

Susie, Claire and Jack playing trains after a day of swimming.

Jack wasn't scared of the fireworks at all! In fact, they would have been pretty neat except the Phillips had a dog door that was just too tempting to resist and that ended up carrying most of his attention during the show.

Watchin' some TV after a loooooong day.

It's Grillin' Time!

I've been running the BBQ a lot this summer and Jack has always been interested. Well, when we found this at Toys-R-Us, we just couldn't pass it up. The grill talks back and forth with all the other condiments and utensils and Jack can't get enough of it. I am also quite fond of it as I have already tripped over it in the middle of the night and also awoken to "burglars" in the house because the stupid thing has randomly gone off at 3 A.M.

"Charlie Coal" and all his mischievous little buddies.

It didn't take Jack long to figure out how to fire up his grill!

Mmmmmm! Just right!

Feeding Frenzy!

Things are really getting messy now! Jack is tired of us running the spoon for him (no doubt we're doing it wrong...) and INSISTS on doing it himself!

What better to learn on than blue yogurt?

He even wants to eat bananas like a big boy.

Hasn't figured out the whole "don't eat the peel" part, though.

Even finger-foods seem to have gone downhill lately. Check out this mess from a recent dinner!

We thought taking his shirt off might help. Nope.

I'm pretty sure that's corn in his hair and rice coming out of his nose... but I could be wrong.

This is my husband trying to take a photo with my cell phone. Anyone notice the camera is backwards???

Bad Parenting 101

The day after a pool party, Jack found an UNOPENED Bud Light still floating in the melted ice in a cooler. He's a quick learner and immediately knew what to do with it... "just like Mommy". Ha ha!

Wrong-end-up, but an "A" for effort there, Buddy!

We even caught him drinking and driving!!! He's a bad apple!

Letting out the appropriate belch after finishing.

In Memory of our Itchy Man

Today we said goodbye to our Itchy. He made the ripe old age of 18- which is something like 143 in human years... He was a great friend to Ryan since he was a boy, lived with Ryan and me for the last 7 years and has been a beloved kitty to Jack. We will miss his grumpy ways - slapping our ankles when he was ready for food - insisting on sleeping on your chest at night. Most of all we will miss the joy he brought to Jack each day. If you look back through the blog several of the videos of Jack laughing were at his kitty, Itchy. He was always eager to give his kitty hugs and Itchy was always willing to take a great amount of abuse from Jack. Thank you, Itchy, for the joy you brought to our little boy and to all of us. You will be greatly missed!

Jack enjoying his first baseball game.

We were playing a Mariner's feeder team - go Ms!

Jack and Tipper at his first baseball game.

Frozen Treats

Cold but delicious!

Daddy's Little Helper

Jack is fascinated with the lawn mower. What an amazing power tool - it cuts grass - you push it - it's loud - what could be better??? Sooo Mommy found this super cool mower that makes the same sweet power sound but also blows bubbles. Stupid Mommy - you can't fool little boys....

Oh yeah, here I go mowing the lawn just like Daddy.

I'll help him out over on this side.

Weird - I must have missed a spot.

Something must be wrong - it won't cut the grass.

Dad - I need some help over here.


Its all in the way you push it buddy.

Let's race!

We'll try it together. (Don't worry - it's not really running)

What??? No blade??? That's the problem! Mom - what are you trying to pull over on me???

I'll take this into my own hands.

At least I can help with the sweeping.

Dang this handle is tall.


Thanks for all your hard work today Jack!

Prince Ali

Grammy and Grandaddy Rickster took a very long trip over to the Ukraine and Turkey. While doing some shopping they came across this.... Jack now thinks he is ruler of his palace!

He loves to put it on and walk around - it just won't stay on for very long dang it!!!

This looks worse than it is. Jack loves going down the slide!

Uh Oh