Flander's Family Reunion

It has become a tradition on July 24th for the Flander's to go camping up at Pineview Reservoir. So for Pioneer Day we packed up and headed out for some boating and camping fun with Sean's extended family. Jack had never been camping before so we thought this would be a good first shot, he loved it! He was so worn out when we finally got home it took him a few days to recover. With the activities, finger painting, bike riding, wading pool, boating, bubbles, swimming, making smores, star gazing - you can hardly blame him!!

Jack and Sean setting up the tent.

I chose not to go on the boat because I am pregnant, but from what I hear Jack laughed and giggled the whole time!

Sean taking Jack for a ride on the tube.

Mara, Kinsley and Mykell having some fun at the water spicket.

Aubrey and McKay

Jack loved riding this little trike, too bad we couldn't get him to use the pedals.

Ashley and Phil

Andrew

Miley, Cole and Cameron finger painting

Lauren, Abbey and Mykell finger painting.

Jack not only painted his paper but his entire body, good thing he was only in his undies.

2 Going On 16

Jack has had some big changes in his life lately.
1. Summer Haircut (which I am still mad about, I love his long hair); this haircut made him look about 3 years older.
2. Potty Training; he is nearing up 100% using the toilet this week.
3. Talking; he is finally starting to talk. In fact, Jack has become bored with learning English that he is creating his own language. It's a cross between English and Italian. Balloons are called "Luna's" and many others.
4. Physically; Jack is now jumping down 5+ stairs at a time. Soon we will give him a skateboard to try.
When a kid accomplishes all these things any parent wants to reward but not spoil them. Where do you draw the line? You will notice Jack has a Blackberry and not an iPhone!

Wading Pool on a Dave Ramsey Budget

Jack and his cousin Andrew were going to Grandpa Rick's house for some fun with sprinklers and water. While we were there Sarah said she went to the store to pick up a wading pool for the kids to play in. I think I was asleep in the basement when all this was going on. When I woke up they were done playing and everything cleaned up. I haven't seen the kiddie pool till now as I imported the pictures. I didn't realize that the biggest pool we could afford is the size of a grown man's cereal bowl. To quote Derek Zoolander,"What is this? A pool for ants? It needs to be at least 3 times this size!"















Jack and Andrew and the new blue kiddie pool. (I think we need a bailout package, does anyone have Obama's phone number?)

And...

It's A Girl!!!

Conclusion of Eli Stone

We don't watch much TV here at the Martin household but when an outstanding show hits the airwaves, we are devout. Eli Stone is a story of a lawyer with visions that seem to guide him throughout life (mostly helping with his cases). As weird and sacrilegious as the series may sound it's the most wholesome show I've seen in a long time. It was very well written, casted, and directed. The show has been canceled and I'm assuming it's because it was not a reality show where Joe the Plumber's life is falling to pieces and America gets to watch. Gratefully the SciFi channel in the UK was able to pick up the remaining four episodes and air them to give us some closure. It was probably the best closing to a TV series I have ever seen. In the final episode Eli Stone gets to talk to his father (who died when he was young) and learn more of God's plan for us. Everything is a test!

Jack's Big Changes

The first big change in Jack's life is that he no longer has a binky. I had said for months that I was going to take it away, and never did. Then I came home from a Girl's Night Out and heard Jack screaming. Sean had decided to start the process in my absence. I went in and tried to sooth him and his sad demands for his binky were breaking my heart so in order not to cave, I cut it. With his binky "broken" there was no going back. He has done relatively well, there are still a few times a day when he asks if we can fix the broken binky...

This is the only binky he would take, I got it when he was 3 months old.

The next big thing is that we started potty training. He is still in pull-ups frequently, due to the fact that it is summer and we have a lot going on, but when we are home he actually asks for his underwear. He is getting better at actually making it to the bathroom before he has to go. Now the big hurdle is to actually have him go when you sit him down, instead of waiting a half an hour.

No he is not pooping, he is just mad that I am invading his privacy.

The last big change (if you didn't notice in the pictures before) is that Jack got a major hair cut. I thought it would be a nice change for summer, and he looks pretty cute. I still think he looks to old now that his shag is gone, but hair grows fast!!

Fourth of July

This Fourth of July started off with me and Jack sleeping in while Sean ran the 5K in Centerville. Go Sean!! We did meet up with him to watch the parade in Centerville! Jack absolutely loved the parade! The balloons, bubbles, bands not to mention the handfuls of candy being thrown his way. He had the time of his life.

Sean and Jack in position for catching candy.

Grandpa Rick wanted to get Jack something at the booths, so we took him to a little fishing pond, he got a little toy car.

Later that day we met up with my cousins in Park City. They were here for a family reunion and invited all of us up to share in the festivities of the Fourth. With swimming, family olympics, golf, a pinata and of course LOTS of food, we had tons of fun!

Gathered for the family olympics

Jack's turn hitting the pinata.

It was a great day and sadly we didn't get to see any fireworks because by ten o clock my little family of three (and a half) were sound asleep.