21 Months!

I was scanning through the myriad of pictures from the summer that I still want to post, and my eye was caught by this one.  I snapped it one morning just before I convinced Jack to relinquish these toys in exchange for breakfast.  I thought he looked so sweet holding his bear that I just wanted to remember it forever.  In fact, there are a lot of things that I want to remember forever.  So I decided I'd better write a few down so I could remember this phase forever. (This is more for me than anyone else... so I won't be offended if you don't read this big long post.) :)

Jack is 21 months old!  Crazy how time flies.  My little brown haired baby has turned into a tow headed toddler.  But he has remained the little ball of energy he has always been.  He loves driving his trucks and cars around the house.  He loves balls, Dora, and most recently Mickey Mouse.  He has started talking like crazy... even though I still only catch about half of what he is saying.  He still loves books and happily backs up to my lap (or legs if I am standing trying to do something) trying to get me to read to him.  His favorite books right now are Book of Mormon Stories, this Bernstein Bears baseball book, pop-up/flap books, and this book called "Mother's Touch" which is a book with art work on each page accompanied by a quote about mothers.  Who would have guessed?  Unfortunately, he still occasionally rips books.  Especially ones that already have a tiny little tear started.  Argh!

Griff is still Jack's best friend.  He thinks daddy is the funniest person alive, and I love to watch them play together.  But he still loves his mommy, too.  If he is going somewhere, he likes me to go, too.  And he'll walk a few steps then come back and check to make sure I am coming.  The last two days, he's started saying "Come on, mama."  Which he sometimes accompanies by pulling or pushing me along.  He also loves to say, "Oh no, oh no!," "What happened?," "Where's _____?  Where'd he go?," and "I did it!"  He's a picky little eater, but he loves peas, fruit, pizza, and Top Ramen (should I even be admitting that?!)  I love how my alarm clock is now waking to hear Jack belting out "Happy Birthday" (a new favorite) or Black Eyed Peas "Tonight's Going to Be a Good Night."  I mean, how can you not wake up with a smile to a toddler rendition of ... "Good good night....Tonight's the night, let's live it up!  I've got my money.  Let's spend it up!"  He loves to dance... which means running around and waving his arms in the air.  And his favorite song to dance to is "Tonight's Going to be a Good Night."  I need to get it on video, because it is hilarious!

When Jack wakes up in the morning, he has to gather both of his favorite blankies, his stuffed animals and his books all in his arms before he'll allow himself to be lifted out of his crib.  He loves babies and always points them out to me wherever we go.  And he has started randomly kissing my tummy, which is so cute.  He loves nursery and has learned to fold his arms for prayers and loves to sing "I Love to See the Temple."  He now doesn't like me to sing "Book of Mormon Stories" which was an old favorite, but "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree" is still ok.

Jack is totally excitable.  He loves to see the people he loves like his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  I mean, his little body just can't contain all the excitement and it bursts out of him in giggling, yelling the person's name, and wiggling/jumping.  It is seriously adorable.  And he loves looking at the Blogs of people he knows and loves, too.  He gets so excited to see pictures of them.

He loves animals, especially the horses and mules at both of his grandparents houses.  And he loves jumping on the trampoline and going down the slides at the park.  He also loves to be taken on walks, which I don't do nearly enough.  He doesn't mind being dirty, and he loves puddles.

I guess the bottom line is that Jack is a complete joy!  He is this crazy, busy, happy little boy.  And I love every little bit of his passionate little personality!

Magrath Days 2010

 July 24th is a big deal in the small, southern Alberta town my mom grew up in.  Settled by mormon pioneers, Magrath has a strong and proud pioneer heritage.  The town celebration occurs every year  on Pionner Day weekend, and it really is a blast!  This year Jack and I caught a ride up with my mom and dad.  Jack was an absolute monster that weekend.  And I mean monster... he has always been a crazy, busy little boy, but he is usually ultra happy, too.  I'm sure my Canada relations now think he has two horns and tail, but I have hopes that next year they will see the true Jack and everything will be put to rights.  :) But, anyway, despite my naughty child, it was still so fun to see my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins and to enjoy one of my favorite events of the summer!

The Magrath Days Parade

My cousin, Ciana, has prime seats for the parade in front of her house.  You can't beat shade from beautiful old birch trees, comfortable chairs, cold drinks, and happy children.  This was one of the blessed times this weekend when my child was good.  He loved the parade.  He loved the horses, trucks, and especially the candy. 

Grandpa and Me

My beautiful Grandma and me

Dad and Josh

Mindy and Ciana

Jack parked himself on the curb like this between each float or set of horses.  I guess the curb is the perfect height for a 1 1/2 year old.  He would get so excited pointing every out...

And he nearly got squashed by a few floats when he spotted candy across the street and made a bolt for it!  He thought it was so fun to gather it up and put it safely away in his little bag.  Of course, a few times the candy didn't quite make it that far...

After the parade, we headed back to grandma's for a killer lunch.  Don't worry, we eat like kings (or gluttons) the whole weekend.  We had already had a huge pancake breakfast that morning.

Me, baby Noah, Aunt Cindy, Mom, Ciana, and Mindy

The Petting Zoo

Jack loved the petting zoo last year, and he loved it even more this year.  They have food you can buy to feed the animals.  Jack quickly used his up and then tried to force feed the ice cream cone the food came in to every animal in the pen.  The donkey tried it, but the pig ended up finishing it off. 

Fireworks

The Magrath fireworks area usually pretty good, and a short walk away from Grandma's house.  Jack totally liked them, just like last year.  And he wasn't scared at all.  My dad was the best, too.  He played with Jack and let him crawl all over him while we were waiting for the fireworks to start.  

I'm already excited to come back next year! 

Ping, Ping Panda

Jack is pretty hard on books.  He loves them, and he is getting better... but tearing off flaps and ripping pages continues to be an occasional temptation.  So I have taken to picking books up at the DI for him.  I don't feel as bad if he ruins a book that costs fifty cents.  Our general routine is for me to hand Jack a book in the cart while I scour the shelves.  He will look at it for a minute or two (or maybe thirty seconds) and then hand it back when he is done.  He usually goes through at least 10 books while we are there.  A couple of months ago, I was shocked when I realized he had been looking at the same book the whole time and almost refused to let me look at it since he was worried I was going to put it back.  That is how we found, "Ping, Ping Panda."  He LOVES it.  It is a flap/pop-up book.  I have to keep it on a high shelf so Jack won't ruin it.  He often stands at the bottom of the bookshelf and begs for "Ping, Ping."  On one page there is Pika, a squirrel looking animal, who pops out from behind a rock.  Jack thinks it is hilarious to pretend he is afraid of Pika.  This game never gets old.  Here is reading "Ping, Ping" with Grandma...

Turning to the Pika page...

Anticipating opening the flap...

Getting scared by Pika jumping out...

And ready to do it again...

Fishing at Payson Lakes

We spent a crazy evening fishing with my parents and Matt and Amy at Payson Lakes over the 4th of July.  Remember those quiet evenings spent with a fly and a bubble, enjoying nature and filling your limit?  Yes... those days are over.  For now at least.  With these two crazy little boys around, there isn't much peace to be had.  But they certainly make for a lot of fun.  They spent their time alternating between running into the lake for a little splash, digging in the dirt, throwing rocks into the water (I'm sure to attract the fish), and making breaks for it into the woods.  Believe me, we were a little exhausted but we had some happy little raggamuffins for kids by the end of the night.  And somehow we did catch a few fish, eat a yummy dinner from KFC, and completely enjoyed being together.

The Raggamuffins (AKA Wesley and Jack) at Play

Dad and Matt

Mom, angel baby Logan, and Amy

This is the best picture I could get with my squirmy little boy...

This was my attempt earlier.  No he isn't in pain.  He simply doesn't want to take even a moment's break from the dirt and water.  He better become a little better at posing for pictures or he is going to wonder why he is always crying or distracted in all his toddler pictures. :)

Race for the Cure

September 2008 my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Two surgeries, radiation, and lots of prayers later she is cancer free!  And I thank Heavenly Father every day for that.  My mother is the most amazing woman.  Even though I have always cherished her, feeling the threat of her loss has been life changing for me.  I feel more than ever the gift of my mother in my life.  I love her personality.  How work is not her enemy, but her friend.  How she can see beyond the problem to the solution, which she promptly makes a reality.  I love how I know she loves me and would do anything to make my life better.  How she loves my little boy and helps me to be a better mother to him.  I love the testimony of Christ that emanates from her.  And most of all, I love her faith. 

May 8, 2010 my dad and I were able to walk in the Race for the Cure with my mom.  What an unbelievable experience!  We walked with thousands of people who shared our feelings.  Some were walking to celebrate survivors, others to remember those who have fallen, and many both.  But all were equally united in continuing the battle.  It was inspirational!  And fun.  Matt and Amy were out of town, so we got to bring Wesley with us.  I left them along with Griff at Pirate's Cove the night before and got in during the wee hours of the morning, so I hadn't picked up Jack from his other grandparent's house yet. 

Can you see how packed the street is as far as you can see?  I think it might have been hard to maneuver if you were really trying to run!

After the race, all the survivors walked in a procession up to the steps in the Gateway.  There was then a few nice little speeches, recognition for the survivors, musical numbers, and then my favorite part.  They released white pigeons (or was it doves?)  symbolizing that the survivors were now free.  I think I cried through the whole ceremony. 

The survivors were each given two carnations.  They were to keep the pink one, then give the white one to the person who was their greatest support through the cancer.  Mom gave the white carnation to dad.  It was special. 

We love you, Mom!

The Dinosaur Museum and Farm Country

Don't you just love Thanksgiving Point?!  I thought about getting a family pass this summer, but it just never happened.  Our summer was packed, and I probably would not have used it like I would have wanted to anyway.  But next year, I think I will for sure.  Jack loves it, and I love it, too!  We spent one whole afternoon there with Matt, Amy, Wesley and Logan.  Matt had just had surgery on his ankle, so he rolled around in a wheelchair in the museum and then cruised around on crutches at Farm Country.  He didn't complain at all - he's such a good sport.  And it was so fun.  I especially love watching these little boys becoming buddies.  What cutie pies!

I think Jack's favorite part was Farm Country.  He loved pointing out all of the animals.  And feeding them... oh, he LOVED that!  Except he couldn't quite get the concept of holding his hand open.  He just wanted to close his little fist around all food.  You can see me trying to hold his hand flat.

These little boys could have done those pony rides a hundred times and not been sick of it.  As it was, they got to do it twice... and loved every second of it.

I think this is my favorite picture of the day.  I just want to kiss that happy little face!