Archive for Our Family

A Lion’s Halloween

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Happy lion

Jack does such a great ROAR that we thought he’d make the cutest lion for Halloween.  We found a warm and comfy costume at Once Upon A Child for $6.  I was pleasantly surprised that he didn’t mind the Lion hood at all. 

 He dressed up for a Halloween picnic party at the park with his play group on Tuesday.  I had to draw a lion face on daddy in order to get Jack to sit still for his lion face.  Many moms brought yummy, festive treats to the party.  It was cute to see all of the kiddo’s dressed up on the playground.  We had planned to attend a Trunk or Treat at a patient’s church on wed but we were all pooped after a crazy day at work so we opted out. 

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2 Lions

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Looking for a Cook (cookie)

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Having fun

 

Thursday was Trick or Treat in New Albany.  We went to the neighborhood of Mac, our business coach, and his family.  Jack tried to keep up with their 6 year old, Sophia but she was on a candy mission.  We walked around the neighborhood for a bit then helped Mac hand out candy.  Afterwards we went inside and warmed up by the fire with some tasty red wine.  Sophia enjoyed babysitting Jack in her play room.

 

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cutest lion

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Jack actually sat still for a group photo

Saturday, we made a spur of the moment call to my mom and learned it was Trick or Treat in my home town that night.  We decided to surprise my dad and drove up their way with Jack’s costume ready to go.  We figured he was such a cute lion we should show him off to as many family and friends as possible (yes, I’m a biased mom).  We let Jack walk up to Papa, waiting for trick or treaters.  He jumped with joy when he saw Jack in the driveway.  Jack did a great job helping Papa hand out candy.  Greg also enjoyed the experience since he grew up in the country and never had trick or treaters come to his door.   Mamma took lots of Jack photos and made us a yummy pumpkin pie – my favorite!

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Mamma keeps Jack out of the street

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Jack & Papa ready for the kids

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on Papa's AJ Hawk Chair

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A good helper

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Jack in the Pumpkin Patch

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Mommy steals a Kiss!

We took Jack to the pumpkin patch this year at Lynd’s Fruit Farm. Last year Jack was just 8 months so this was his first time exploring the pumpkin patch on foot. He was not interested in the pumpkins what so ever!!! He was interested in running in every direction as fast as he could. His body couldn’t keep up with his feet and he did a few nose dives into the ground but it didn’t seem to phase him one bit. Boys! He is really catching on how to ware mom and dad out as much as possible! I think we all got a good workout in at the pumpkin patch! We did come away with a nice pumpkin though, chose by mom and dad. You will see in the photos below, Jack running all over with not a glance at a pumpkin! He did have a good time!

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Running

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Running

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Rocks, more intereting than Pumpkins

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Can dad interest Jack in a Pumpkin?

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Checking out the Pumpkin

Later tonight (hopefully)… A Lion’s Halloween, stay tuned!

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To The Lake

Digging in the sand

Digging in the sand

Last week Jack and I returned from vacation in Traverse City, Michigan where several relatives have cottages on Lake Leelanau.  My mom, Greg’s mom, Doris and his sister, Lindsay came with us.  Also taking the trip was Greg’s Brother, Mike, his wife, Becky, and their 2 children Clareese (5) and Weston (3).  We had the privilege of riding in Doris’s brand new, “Cash for Clunkers” mini van.  Mike and Becky followed in their car.  The drive went much better this year than last.  Jack slept, talked, played and danced in his seat.  I think facing forward and being a year older made a big difference. 

We arrived last Monday evening

Jack, Reese, Wes

Jack, Reese, Wes

and all of the kids jumped out of the car and went straight for the beach!  They dug in the sand and waded in the water, not time for putting on bathing suits either!  It was a lot of fun to see Jack enjoy the lake, last year he wasn’t too thrilled with being wet and wasn’t too interested in the sand either.  I also enjoy bring new family and friends to the cottage and watching them experience the place I have enjoyed every summer of my life (except 2007). 

Jack & Reese

Jack & Reese

Refreshing, clear water

Refreshing, clear water

It was great to see grandma and grandpa and uncle Jimmy (my mom’s family).  I was so pleased that grandpa was doing so well.  He had his leg amputated 2 years ago and he did alright last year at the cabin but this year he looked fantastic.  His buddy Jim Gothier took him out fishing nearly every day and he was living it up!  I’m so glad he has such a loyal and giving friend.  I also visited with Aunt Gail and Cousin Ashley.  They enjoyed seeing Jack. 

so Cute

so Cute

Ready for a boat ride

Ready for a boat ride

Jack's 1st Boat Ride

Jack's 1st Boat Ride

Each day we were there I took Jack out in the lake water and we played in the sand.  He really like throwing rocks in the lake and twirling circles in his raft.  Reese and Wes seemed to enjoy it too.  Reese collected some Petoskey rocks, native to Lake Michigan for her show and tell in school. 

Gettin Dirty

Gettin Dirty

Happiness

Happiness

Reese & Jack

Reese & Jack

We had dinner each night with the whole family.  Jack and I brought veggies from our garden at home (lettuce, beets, carrots, swiss chard, cucumbers, and squash) to contribute to the meals.  Grandma cooked some yummy dishes with them and I made a mental note of some of her recipes so I can make them for Greg!  In the evenings we  either had a camp fire and smores or watched “So You Think You Can Dance” and “America’s Got Talent”. 

Enjoying the Lake

Enjoying the Lake

Fun in the shade

Fun in the shade

We took a few trips into the towns of Leland and Suttons Bay for some shopping and to check out the marinas.  I enjoy looking at the large fishing boats.  Overall it was a great trip, except for the fact that Greg couldn’t make it.

Aunt Lindsay

Aunt Lindsay

Grandma's Cottage

Grandma's Cottage

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Wordless Wednesday

I love that smile!

I love that smile!

Ap-full
Ap-full

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Check us out on our CBS local news

Jack, Greg and I were interviewed by Columbus 10tv about raising our baby Green.  Click to watch!  Look for “Green Baby Products” on the left.

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Wigs, Hops & Shower

We had a busy, interesting, and fun weekend.  It started off on Saturday with Daddy and Jack playing at home while JamieLee and I went to an event relay for lifefor work, Relay for Life, sponsored by The American Cancer Society in Newark, Ohio, about 30 min. from New Albany.   It was a perfect sunny, warm afternoon.  I was glad to be outside.  The event was for a great cause, raising money for Cancer Research.  JamieLee and I were there to offer stretching and myofascial treatment to the participants and to meet people and get Ohio Family & Sports Chiropractic out in the community. relay for life tent

Wigs for Women

The vendor next to us was a Newark hair salon offering free hair cuts and donations to Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths, a program to donate your hair for wigs made for cancer patients.  Pantene partnered with several sponsors to offer “ Wigs Helping Women,” free wigs for cancer patients.  They need 8″ for a ponytail and 6 ponytails make a wig.   Find out how to donate here.  I saw many women of all ages throughoutut the afternoon visiting the hair salon table and donating.  It was moving and inspiring to see young teenagers scared to death to get their hair chopped but doing it proudly.  This reminded me of my OSU Rowing teammate Amanda who used to do this regularly with Locks of Love(which I learned charges for their wigs).  I also kept looking down at my very long ponytail and felt pretty embarrassed standing there while so many others donated with much shorter hair than me.  I contemplated throughout the event “should I? Shouldn’t I? Should I?”  In the end I thought, why not!  I thought it’s probably something I should do sometime in my life, especially with my family history of cancer, and I really did need a hair cut.  Afterwards I felt good that I contributed to a wig that will hopefully make someones day! 

Here goes nothin...

Here goes nothin...

That's a lot of hair!

That's a lot of hair!

Still plenty of hair left

Still plenty of hair left

 

Hopin’ Gallery Hop

Saturday evening  JamieLee and I went to the Gallery Hop in the Short North.  I told JamieLee about the monthly Gallery Hop a while ago, thinking it was a fun event to represent a little bit of Columbus to this California native.  Finally the scheduling worked out and we made it to the hop!  This was only my second time, my first being my freshman year at Ohio State.  We grabbed dinner at one of my favorites, The Northstar Cafe, then headed downtown.  We saw many beautiful gallery’s and jewelry stands.  There was a cool store called Tiger Tree which sells many products made by recycled children’s books.  I really liked their blue polka dot shoes!  I also liked their reusable shopping bags which could be folded into a pock-sized pouch.  I enjoyed the numerous ethnic stores, the girl on stilts, a wine tasting, and the plethora of local bands, including a drum-line.  JamieLee really liked the LARGE girl belly dancing who fortunately I did not see, and the toothpick girl.  Check out her take on the night at her blog Calie and Me 

Shower Baby Shower

Jack 16 mo 003Sunday I went to my good rowing friend Heather (aka Feldmann) Strang’s baby shower.  I am really excited for my friend, who with her husband, helped Greg and I meet for the first time back in college.  Heather was looking beautiful and I hope she has a wonderful birthing experience. Jack 16 mo 005

 I also visited with a few other college friends who were there.  At the shower there were some tasty treats and a few traditional baby shower games, which I am never good at. 

After the shower I picked up Greg and Jack to head to the Prenger homestead for a multi-birthday Celebration.  Most of Greg’s family have their birthdays in June (and February).   Grandma and the kids thought it would be fun to ride around in the wheel barrel.Jack 16 mo 008

It was a tireing but fun and fulfilling weekend.

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Wordless Wednesday

Concentrating hard to feed my piggy

Concentrating hard to feed my piggy

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April Showers bring May Flowers

Jack's first hair cut and easter 2009 002Wow, a lot has has changed for our family over the past 2 months.  We searched for a new home and after many hours and tours we found a lovely little country home, with a huge back yard for Jack to run and explore – a wonderful improvement from our townhouse apartment with lots of stairs and therefore baby gates!  We are finally settled (except for 1 room of boxes), after days of plumbing problems, burst pipes, flooded basement- twice, a dug up broken well, and new pipes to city water,  and now finally enjoying our new space.  We have planted a vegetable garden with herbs, tomatoes, spinach, several lettuce’s, beets, carrots, peas, green beans, lots of different squash, pumpkin, watermelon, corn, peppers, green onion, and eggplant (I hope I didn’t forget something)!  Yes, Greg got a little out of control with the tiller, but I didn’t mind to much.  We have so much yard, the garden, despite its size, hardly makes a dent.  Jack just got a kiddie pool which he loves. 

Jack loves his new house – as soon as he set foot in the door, he took of walking, and now running!  Now 100% Mobile!  Hence the extra Jack-proofing we had to do after moving in!  I hope to keep updates, green tips and more coming regularly now.  Stay tuned!

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A BIG Weekend in Review

Saturday Jack took his first step all by himself!!  He has been walking along furnature and holding hands and for a while now.  I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he’s romping around our home on 2 instead of 4! 

 

Also on Saturday, Greg and I, along with Greg’s Parents, Clem and Doris, His sister Lindsay and her friend, Susan our staff member, and my high school friend, Julie and her husband, Aaron all participated in the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day 4 miler.  Jack was planning on riding in his jogging stroller but it was a chilly 27deg morning and he has been sniffily and fussy with a few new teeth coming in, so he stayed with JamieLee and her husband who live in Dublin for the morning.  We had a good time at the race despite the cold.  I was wearing 5 shirts, 2 pairs of pants and one pair of shorts, and I was pretty comfortable in that.  Can you tell I’m not one for the cold!  Susan, in her one long sleeve shirt thought I was crazy.  Overall it was a fun race.  Greg and I both beat our goal times and Susan got a PR, she’s a running rock star!  I think everyone had a great time.  I look forward to the next race. 

 

Sunday I spent the afternoon at Caribou Coffee shop, one of my favorite places, studying for my Sports Chiropractic Certification.  Its getting down to the wire with one month before the test.  I’m a bit nervous about finding enough time to study.  Hopefully I can pull it off.

 

Also on Sunday Greg put together a new TV stand, something that was long overdue for updating.  Our previous stand had several shelves to place decorative items, which looked great until Jack pulled everything off daily!  Our new system has lots of storage which is great for Jack’s toys which were overtaking the living room floor.  I’m happy with our new set-up.

 

The weather was much milder on Sunday than Saturday so we took advantage and grilled out for dinner.  I love grilling!  It makes me feel like summer is just around the corner, my favorite season!

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Jack’s Birthday Celebration!

first-birthday-0281Jack turned the big O-N-E on February 9, 2009.  He has had 3 fabulous birthday celebrations to reflect on and share.  Wow, it really is hard to believe the first year is over and it flew by!  Every day has brought new experiences, fun, memorable moments, challenges and rewards.  Our life will never be the same and we wouldn’t change it for the world.  Jack means everything to Greg and I and has brought new meaning to our lives.  We love our little buddy and look forward to every new day with him. 

 

 

 

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We celebrated Jack’s Birthday first on February 8th with Greg’s Family in Harpster, OH.  It was great fun.  He tasted his first cake and ice cream.  This was hard for me.  I’m am very particular about what I will let Jack eat, but I figured it’s his only 1 yr birthday party and how much cake would actually make it in his mouth anyway.  I predicted he would mostly just squish the cake in his hands, like he does with a lot of his food. 

The cake was homemade by first-birthday-035Grandma P and Cousin Reese.  Grandma even used applesauce instead of oil, which was very thoughtful and considerate of me and my pickiness regarding Jack’s food.

It was fun to watch, I was pretty proud of my little guy.  At first he wanted nothing to do with the cake.  He just stared at the cake and at everyone standing there watching him.  Aunt Allison was pretty disappointed in his reaction.  She loves to lovingly taunt me and my food quarks. 

first-birthday-037Aunt Allison helped him put his fingers on the cake and he slowly felt it out with one hand.  And still wasn’t to interested and was wondering why everyone was standing around watching.  With help he got the other hand out and began squishing away.  Aunt Allison helped a little piece of cake and icing to his mouth and he make quite a face of disgust!  That’s my boy, such a smart guy to know that sugar isn’t good for him.  I was proud!  Everyone else was a little disappointed. 

first-birthday-042 He spent the rest of the time squishing away as predicted, and tossing chunks of cake to the floor.  Overall it was a slow start but he dug in by the end.  He also tasted a touch of ice cream, of course by Aunt Allison.  

Jack had fun the rest of the afternoon opening some fun presents and playing with cousins Reese and Wes.  The highlight of the day were the balloons Aunt Allison brought.  All 3 kids were very entertained the entire afternoon by Jack’s birthday balloons.

 

first-birthday-057The next day, Jack’s true birthday, we celebrated in the office with cup cakes for our staff and patients, and free chiropractic visits for all children getting adjusted that week in honor of Jack’s Birthday.  We had lots of fun decorations up and the patients seemed to enjoy it.  We even had a few who purposely scheduled on Monday to get a cup cake!

first-birthday-088Jack’s third birthday party was last weekend.  We had planed the party with my parents the same weekend as Greg’s parents but they got sick and weren’t up to visitors.  We re-scheduled for a time that my sister, Angie, living in Atlanta could make.  It was a fun party.  Grandpa Steve put together a “fort” of decorations above the high chair, his birthday throne.  Grandma picked out a great looking sporty cake and he received lots of fun wooden toys and some cute outfits.  Aunt Gail, Uncle Brian, and Aunt Bee also were there for the celebration. 

first-birthday-098Jack again, just stared at the cake for a while but there were plenty of hands just waiting to jump in to encourage him to dive into the cake.  It wasn’t long before he was squishing and throwing and everyone was enjoying it. 

 

It’s hard to believe Jack’s 1st year has come and gone.  We look forward to every new day with our Jack.

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