Open Mic Night

Jim and his friend Jeff played at an open mic night again last night. This time I got to go, but forgot my camera. Thankfully, my brother had his and let me take a couple pictures. They played 5 songs and were great! Quite a few family and friends came out to listen. Bill and April:

Jean, Matt, and Will:

My brother Michael and my cousin Brendan:

My cousin Jack and uncle Bob:

Many more people came (including my mom and Jeff's mom). Jim and Jeff really looked like they were having fun.

Here is Jim with his biggest fan:

Funny Videos

Here are 3 funny videos from this past week.

This is the language Jack has picked up lately:

Jim took these next two the other night. Jack has to earn his keep somehow.

You lose the most heat from your head

Jack has a hat that he loves, and I love that he loves to wear it. Sometimes he will find it and put it on even if we are just hanging out in the house. Check out his big belly. I will be so sad when he loses it. Eventually having a big belly is not so cute, though.

We haven't spent much time outside lately. On Friday we were able to bundle up to play outside for a while and enjoy the fresh air.

On Friday night we took Jack to Our Lady of the Snows to see the Christmas lights. There was a children's area in the visitors center. Jack colored and then we watched a puppet show. Notice that Jack kept his hat on while we were inside.

The lights were pretty, but hard to capture with the car moving. On the way home we stopped by "Candy Cane Lane" and saw more lights. Jack loves Christmas lights. After we pass a house with lights, he will sign "more" as if I can magically make more lights appear. Luckily it isn't hard to find more.

This guy was dressed in lights!

One of Jack's favorite foods is yogurt. Lately, though, he won't eat it. I finally got him to eat some yesterday when I let him eat it with a spatula. He managed to get it all over himself.

Transportation Museum and Visit with Santa

Jack is taking a nap right now. It is the first nap he has taken since Saturday! I was beginning to worry that he would never nap again. We have gone out each day this week, so I was very surprised that he would not nap. I thought he would be worn out.

Yesterday we went to the Museum of Transportation and visited their "Creation Station." Jack had a fun time playing with some of the other kids and exploring the room. I wish we had gone into the actual museum, but by the time we were finished with the Creation Station it was time to eat lunch and not nap.

Jack is learning how gears work: Jack really liked this boat. He could climb up it and also climb inside it on the lower level.

Hello Mommy!

Today we went to the Oakland House with a group of moms and kids. The kids were treated to a story, a puppet show, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a chocolate chip cookie. I felt like we were rushed through everything, though. I am pretty sure the number of people in the room for the story and puppet show was a fire code violation. Jack seemed somewhat interested in the puppet show. He did not want to sit on the floor with the other kids, though. He wanted to sit on my lap.

Last year, Jack did fine on Santa's lap. This summer when Fredbird held Jack, he screamed and cried. So, I was afraid we would have the same reaction with Santa. He did not scream or cry, but he clearly did not want to sit on his lap.

I think Jack's favorite part was eating the cookie Mrs. Claus made. It was my favorite part, too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had an exciting Thanksgiving weekend. Jim's entire family and my entire family were in town and we got to spend a lot of time with them. Jack enjoyed running around with his cousins Ryan and Adam on Thursday night. Ryan: the unhappy turkey

Adam and Ryan both wore the Thanksgiving hats they made at school.

Jack and Mommy snuggled.

Here are the four grandchildren together on the couch.

Uncle David and Aunt Melanie were lots of fun, throwing their nephews around. On Friday we went to the annual Turkey Bowl football game that Jim's friends organize. Unfortunately Jim had to work, but Jack and I went to watch, and my brothers played.

Jack tossed the pigskin some, too.

After awhile the game failed to hold Jack's interest and we wandered over to the playground. Jack climbed the stairs and went down the slide all by himself.

He rode in this cool lady bug.

Jack walked across this funny bridge.

Friday night Jack got to spend time with his Kelly cousins. They played Ring Around the Rosy with him. Everyone was laughing! He liked being the center of attention (as usual).

I like this picture because you can see Bridget scolding Colin for something. Jack is intrigued by her.Later Friday night Jim and I were able to meet up with a number of my cousins at the bar where my brother works. Saturday morning we went to the zoo with my brother, sister-in-law and their 3 boys, as well as my cousin and her 2 boys. Ryan and Adam were dressed for the weather.

Jack walked across this rope bridge without holding Daddy or Mommy's hand!

Jim checked out the animal x-rays.

Saturday night we had the Kelly family Thanksgiving dinner at our house. Unfortunately Grandma and Grandpa couldn't come. After dinner, Paul, Jim, and Karen entertained us with singing and guitar-playing.

Blueberries and Animals

On Tuesday night, we picked Connie and Damon up from the airport and headed to Blueberry Hill for dinner. After dinner we enjoyed some delicious Ted Drewes. They are only in town for a few days but want to make the most of it and enjoy as much St. Louis cuisine as possible.

Wednesday morning we met Kathleen and Lily, Nancy and Margo, and Elizabeth and Andrew at the zoo. The kids really enjoyed the Zoomagination Station.

Lily and Jack were concentrating hard as they played with the bird seed.

Both Jack and Andrew liked the play house.

Margo is dressed in her zoo outfit!

This was the best picture I could get of all four kids. I was impressed that they all sat still long enough for me to take it.