Jack's Thoughts On the Third Day back from MD/WV

Powell Boys

Powell Boys at Berkley Springs, WV



Elias and the net


Jack and Elias and the net


Jack instructing Elias in proper warm springs net fishing techniques


Inspecting the water together



Completely Fascinated. This is how we all feel when Matt starts explaining things...

Wedding Dancer

Hooray for Brant and Rachel!

Our family outside the church near Park City


Jack...our future game show host.


The Wedding Dancer


Extended Dancing (with a short break to relax in the middle)

Why we haven't been posting

Sewer line backed up. Our house is ancient and the "clean out" (who knew such a thing existed?) was buried in the back yard and by the sheer grace of the Lord Almighty our dear neighbors (one of whom was born IN our house in the 1920s) had the location (down to the inch) written down on a 4x6 piece of paper filed in her kitchen cabinet with all her greeting cards.

Garage Sale. At our house. For our church small group to raise money to purchase a building for a church in Uganda. Yes, there were people here at 6 AM asking to buy stuff. And somehow, Jim was the one with the flatbed trailer driving across Utah Valley the two days before picking up large, bizarre junk from friends-of-friends which then sat in our driveway until Garage Sale, and sadly, some of it sat in our driveway after said Garage Sale. Oh, and Jack decided to be wide awake and beside himself from 2:30-4:30 the night before the garage sale (our alarm went off at 5:30). This is the only night that Jack has so much as made a peep within the last 2 months. Such good timing.

Dishwasher Installed. Once again, our house is ancient and no dishwasher, nor space for one. Thus, the need to take out a cabinet with all four of our kitchen drawers which then had to be relocated to the other cabinet location in the kitchen because you just can't function in a kitchen with no drawers. Classic case of project taking husband much longer than optimistic wife predicted it would take. Oh in case you are wondering... new, life-changing dishwasher would not fit in other, more ideal cabinet due to bizarre plumbing in our ancient, but charming, house.

Fence. To prevent quick-on-his-feet Jack from becoming a "flap-Jack" (as Jim so delicately put it) in the busy street in front of our house, we are building a Jack proof fence. Note to all of you (except Megan and Chris, who already know) fence building is a LOT of work. Fence building with a very-helpful-18 month old is REALLY A LOT of work. Seriously, we need a grandparent to come and take our child so we can actually complete a home improvement project.

Note to Matt: we understand we owe you pictures of the new sink faucet and Jim's guitar (which, yes, has been completed for many months now and is spectacular).

Jack's words:
Yesterday he said, "Love You" !!!
He also says:
Dirty
Dinner
Book
Glove
Glasses (as in sunglasses)
Yucky
Broken (this is a very sad word that must be repeated mournfully)
Popsicle
Strawberry

Dad in charge

Dad in charge, originally uploaded by kandjpowell.

Nothing like coming home from some refreshing time away to this lovely scene...

Dad in charge 2

Dad in charge 3, originally uploaded by kandjpowell.

Dad in charge 3

Dad in charge 2, originally uploaded by kandjpowell.

Working on the fence

Working on the fence, originally uploaded by kandjpowell.

Soon to be picture perfect white picket Jack-proof Americana

Building the fence together

Building the fence together, originally uploaded by kandjpowell.

Cheesin' it up!

Dad's little helper

Dad's little helper, originally uploaded by kandjpowell.

Mowing the grass

Mowing the grass, originally uploaded by kandjpowell.

We're not the most eco-friendly people we know, but we did opt for a Push-Reel Mower this year and Jim loves it. As does our grass. As does Jack because it is strikingly similar to his fabulous Ikea push toy. Oh, and we can all carry on a conversation in the yard during the mowing...cool.

Oh, and note the "old" fence.

JHP, 17 months

DSC04715, originally uploaded by kandjpowell.

At the Zoo

DSC04700, originally uploaded by kandjpowell.

Salt Lake's Hogle zoo is great, and Jack's group of friends made it even better. Jack perfected his growl during this trip (see "Words" video).

Words

Here's Jack with a few of his words. Church didn't turn out nearly as cute as it normally is, I'll try to capture that one another time. Wait for the bear growl at the very end...

Jack's latest game

Jack just started playing this today...all on his own, no coaching. I, of course, think it is adorable and way beyond his 17 month developmental stage, but you can be your own judge. The doting-mother-can't-put-down-the-camera full length video is below.

For Katie

Sharing a Swing Snuggle

Time in Texas

DSC04564, originally uploaded by kandjpowell.

We spent two weeks in Texas so Jack could re-acquaint himself with his TX family. He wrapped his Kaki around his finger so tight she actually accompanied him through the playground tubes! That's love for you.

For the Birds

DSC04599, originally uploaded by kandjpowell.

The Fort Worth zoo has this great enclosed bird area where you can feed the birds seeds glued to little sticks. Jack's favorite place by far. Although he still calls anything with wings a "Duck".

Just like Grandad

DSC04673, originally uploaded by kandjpowell.

Thanks to his Grand Aunt Patty for the yard tools...Jack couldn't wait to get started. Of course, he needed to have one in each hand at all times.

Bath Audience

DSC04666, originally uploaded by kandjpowell.

Jack's bathtime was quite the attraction...everyone, even Remy (the dog) wanted to peek.