A Tisket a Tasket . . .

A very full Easter basket!

This Easter was a special one of course!

The first of many for this little guy!

To say his basket was full, might be an understatement.

Jack you looked so handsome for Easter Sunday Mass!

We went out to St. Roch's for Easter Sunday Mass and it was beautiful as always!

We were reminded of how important our   f a i t h   is, not just on Easter Sunday and Christmas day, but every waking day.

It is so important to our whole family but I'm learning more and more everyday how important it is for our 'little' family.

 After Mass, and the gazillion pictures (yes, there are plenty more) we had some fun outside in Brazos Country!  It was so perfect.  All of the families were able to be together for the afternoon! The Mickans, Winlands and Pagels :)   Jack was able to spend the afternoon with both his Gramps and Granny and his Papaw and Nana.  It was simply perfect! 

Want to hunt for a few eggs?

A little cousin fun!

A little sister fun!

Alleluia! Alleluia! He has risen as He said! 

We hope you and your family had a beautiful Easter weekend!

love, 

Richard, Katie and Jack

(photos courtesy of my lovely sister pictured above,  mine has gone just a  little wacko lately)

taking it all in . . .

t. g. i. f.

 Happy Friday All!

probably . . .

the  b e s t   set   

of  grandpas a boy could ask for  . . .

Jack with his Papaw and Gramps - Easter Weekend

7th Heaven . . .

Jack Anthony, you are 7 months old!

And this month you are off to a great start...

 

You made it through your first fever and you had a rash to prove it.

You are now working hard on growing  2  pearly whites on the bottom of your great smile :)

It's been 7 months of fun bath times.

You still kick your legs vigorously out of excitement both before and after your bath. 

You have discovered your favorite toy in the bath tub.  No matter how many toys are floating in the water you are determined to grab the purple turtle.

Oh tummy time.  Jack at 7 months you are still  not  a fan of this.  You are getting really good at scooting backwards.  You will rock back and forth if Mama and Daddy help you up.  Just don't ask you to roll over from tummy to back.  We think you are just going to skip that mile stone all together. 

Sitting up is what you love best!  Well, as long as we are at your side.

If we can't always join you,  you do a pretty good job finding someone or something else to play with.

You now join us at the dinner table to eat. Your menu these days includes sweet potatoes, carrots, bananas, applesauce and some puffs. It is probably one of our favorite times of the day.  You only eat about  1 or 2 meals throughout the day in your high chair.   If anything, you provide great entertainment.  Especially blowing spit bubbles.  

7 months Buddy! 

Almost every day you hear Mama and Daddy say "He's getting so big!"

We just cannot believe how fast 7 months can go by.

One things for sure we can say, this month we are in 7th Heaven with you!

We love you little man!

o h . . .

my sweet boy.

words cannot begin to describe the feeling I get when I walk in your room and see you like this.

this week has been one rocky road for you.

first fever

followed by rash (aka viral roseola)

followed by three  v e r y  c r a n k y  days at home

but after all of this we learn . . . 

you

 are 

getting

 your

 first 

 tooth!

YAY!

pretty soon we will see it in that sweet smile of yours.   so until then, we'll anxiously wait for a picture.

we love you buddy and your new tooth!

special times we can't forget to post!

 Take a moment to watch, what I think is one of the most memorable videos.

Tony Melendez is someone my siblings and I grew up listening to.  I was so lucky  hear him play at the many conferences we attended as kids.    His testimony in life, as well as music, has always held a special place in my heart.   So much so, I wasn't afraid to run up to him in the middle of Marianfield, Germany during WYD 2005 just to tell him how much I loved his work. 

Even if  I had just woke up and hadn't showered in 2 days.

(for the record I wasn't the only one who hadn't showered..I think the rest of the 20 thousand + had a similar story)

Since seeing him in Germany,  I saw him again last Lenten season at St. Thomas University.  I had a little baby bump that I know enjoyed the music, as he gave me a few kicks to prove it. :)

This Lenten season,  Tony came back to St. Thomas University for the same show.  I thought this was a great opportunity to take Jack and well, start him off with the kind of things his Mama grew up with!

Yes,  I know he won't remember this.  But I sure will!  And it touched me so much to realize I can pass on the great memories I had as a child, growing up with such amazing influences!  Real American Idols, is what I like to say.  :) 

I just hope and pray that whatever comes your way Jack Anthony,  that you are as "courageous" as Tony was, not only in life but also in your faith! 

enjoying every bit of e v e r y t h i n g

Jack, buddy you are really enjoying it all!    Most of the time we think things would scare you.  But no, you respond with a squeal and a smile.  Take for example, the birthday singers at Lupe Tortillas on your Aunt Dana's birthday.

Possible new venue for your birthday?!?

Oh and recently we went and visited family that came in from out of town.  Everyone wanted to hug and squeeze you.  And you?  You wanted to hug and squeeze your 2nd cousin Sam.

 Sam was quite fond of you too!

 We anxiously waited in case that super slobbery lick scared you.  To our surprise you went back for more!  My oh my.  what are we in for next buddy? 

April is a busy month!

We've got a lot of catching up to do!  

Rewind to the first weekend in April.

We had a much needed trip out to Brazos Country to start the month off with a garage sale!

We had a great visit and of course always look forward to the next chance we get to go out there!

After all, the weather has been gorgeous, and you know what that means?  More fun outside in the country!

Jack found this swing a little too relaxing.  We were jealous!

After the success of the garage sale we packed up and headed to Katy for Bailey's Country themed Birthday party!

It was time to put on our cowboy gear!

"Howdy Birthday Girl!"

 "Daddy you are a little bit big for this swing."

        "Mama just let me swing please?"

"Much better,  wake me up when it's birthday cake time!"

It was a great Saturday afternoon in the sun with family and friends!  

We topped if off with homemade ice cream on the back porch!  

(pictures to come soon!)

jack in motion

just had to share this little man in motion
trying new food
pardon mama's voice

Sometimes we find him doing this with the carpet

pardon mama's voice and his awful snot (ew)