a note to readers

Just updated the blog, I hadn't done so since March! Crazy it has been that long. Posted a bunch of things and photos so you will have to scroll back to older posts to catch up. I think I started with "an Evansville Easter". Thanks all and much love!

so long MN

So we are off to Chicago but not before a trip to Lake Harriet to ride the old time train. We also got to see Uncle Rubrick before sending him (and Sophie) off to England, where he will start his PhD program. Jackson is usually observant and reserved when first encountered with crowds of people but he loved saying "hi" to Ru. He also really loves trains now and in the pictures below you can see that he is showing Ru his train. In the middle of the train ride, the conductor stopped the train and gave a brief and very quiet talk about the train's history ... nearing the end of his talk Jackson kept saying (and singing) "more choo choo" "more choo choo".
Another series of photo of Ru and Jackson in the backyard. I love this series because you can see Jackson spot something and then ask or guide Ru along the garden.

More random photos from the forth of July in MN.
Jackson adores Aunt Miranda - just like at the next photo! I hate to do it but I had to post this picture (above) of Ru and Jackson. I wanted one last photo of the two of them before Ru left for England. Jackson had hit the wall and was tired, Nana handed him over to Ru and walked away ... needless to say he wasn't happy about leaving Nana's hands and really wanted to go to bed! We love you Rubrick!

Jackson's new tub. He loves it because he can turn on the water all by himself and get in unassisted ... watch out mom! New tub, first freezey pop ...
... oh and ducky needs some too!
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Well, here it is folks. Jackson and daddy enjoying some baseball on TV. I walk in to the living room from the kitchen to find this ....
... can you believe the two of them sat still, had a snack, and watched baseball!?!? I loved the site of the two of them together but then got a bit upset because Jackson has now realized TV. I do have to say one thing --- they were watching the Twins! Go Twinkies!

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We found a great little playground with a splash pad near our near home. Its not super close but still close enough to visit daily. I know it might seem strange but the playground (which is completely gated) has community toys. Jackson is obsessed with the car. Remember when we visited our FL family back in MARCH 2009!


And finally, this photo isn't saying much but we did visited the Adler Planetarium. They had so many exhibits for toddlers and we saw an Elmo show. Loved, loved, loved it. Jackson sat there quietly eating his snack and finally at the end of the movie/show he piped in with the rest of the kids saying things like "moon" and "Elmo". Here is a photo of him playing with a spaceship game that had buttons ... it was really about the buttons.
Alright, I think we are caught up. I do have a few videos that I want to post but our internet is slow right now. So look back soon for videos!

quick visit to see the Connerater et al.

Like the header reads, we traveled to Kansas City for my best friends wedding and had a mini side trip to see the Popp family. Jackson and Conner played so well together (usually off doing their own thing but running into each other from time to time). Conner was so good at sharing all his toys and it was awesome to have the whole family together. Conner and mama taking a break for a snack.

Do I really have to sit still for this snack?

Jackson, the photographer king, snapping a silly photo of Nana (or "nan-neeee" or "neenee" as Jackson likes to say).

Oh mom!

Is that a monkey? No, its Aunt Zan pretending to be a monkey.

Hello, sweet boy ... can I gobble you up, please?

Cheeeeeeese!


Goodbyes are always hard but we had a great time in KS with the Popp family!

Hello MN

The move to MN in early May was pretty smooth. Tony and his friend from OSU packed most of the truck while I flew home with Jackson. It was a short visit for me (because I was dropping off Jackson and then flying back to OH to help load the truck and drive to MN). The only difficult part of the transition was that Jackson got his very first ear infection while mom and daddy were in route to MN. Great timing, we know. As you can see, we kept ourselves busy while in MN - visits to Como Park Zoo (new polar bear exhibit), rides on the carousel (we love this), and fun at the Children's Museum.Don't let this photo fool you - in a matter of seconds we were on the ride (Jackson screaming with excitement "dar, dar, dar") and then out, out, out, out (signing and saying "all done, all done, all done")!

Jackson needs to be outside all the time. We loved spending time in nana and pappy's backyard. Figure painting, feeding the birds (naked - I had to post one. Now that Jackson is getting older I'm not sure how long I can get away with the nakey shots), and playing with the hose.

Don't mind the huge scab on Jackson face (you might have mistaken it for finger paint or a badger impersonation). Jackson had an accident, it happens but this by far has been the worst visibly.

It took a week or so for Jackson to adjust. I think it was somewhat confusing to have 4 adults surrounding him instead of just mom and daddy. Jackson and mom still had quality time during the day being silly (per usual).

More fun at Grand Ol' Day (feeding goats and watching the parade - how many fire trucks can be in one parade? Jackson loved it!), and Jackson's first trip to the strawberry patch. Something about picking your own fruit and eating it ... it really encourages toddlers to not be so darn picky! That's one hot cow!
Oh yeah, and funny bike rides near the river.

June brought great things - Daddy accepted a position with the University of Chicago within their athletic department! So cupcakes were made and eaten! Since daddy started pretty quickly at UC we missed him on Father's Day ... not to worry we sent him a note. Now that is LOVE!
We love you daddy!

Last but not least ... Aunt Miranda watched Jackson for an afternoon and they took this wonderful self-photo and I just found it!!! Golden!