Boating with Grandpa

We took the boat to dinner one night at the beach. It was so much fun. I loved being on the water, seeing the birds and the other boats. Grandpa even let me drive the boat!

Me and Grandpa

Nags Head

The beach is my new favorite place! Mom and Dad were a little worried if I would like the waves and the sand but this was not a problem. I loved it all!

Building Sandcastles

Mommy's favorite guys

Me and Grandpa
Naptime with Dad

Football on the beach

Daddy and Grandpa played this great game with me at the beach. They would throw the football into the waves and it would come back up to us and I would get it, then throw it to them and we would start all over. We played for hours! I loved it!

Nags Head

We are at the Councill Beach House in Nags Head. I am having so much fun! I love the ocean, bulding sand castles, finding things that Mommy hides in the sand and playing football with Daddy, Grandpa and Uncle Jordan. Here are a couple of pics until we get home...

21 months

I am 21 months today! How time flies! My vocabulary is increasing by the day- real words and not so real. I try my best to communicate with Mom and Dad but when it doesn't work, I point alot. I love holding hands, giving hugs and kisses and playing chase with Daddy around the house. My favorite toys are my trains, blocks and balls. I will eat anything you put in front of me but some faves are hummus, chicken nuggets, blueberries and raspberries. Here are some of my other favorite things to do:

I love playing in my toybox.

I love hiding in cabinets and jumping out and scaring mom.

I love sitting at my table in the playroom and doing my puzzles.

And I love when people send me postcards. Gerry Donaldson sent me this one with dogs on the front from France!

I am a happy, happy boy! Mom and Dad are so blessed!

Life Changes

On Friday night the Rangers let my dad know that his services were no longer needed. “Dismissed” is how the Dallas paper worded it. In the real working world, when someone is fired, it is very hush hush. People speculate why or how. Rumors spread that they were escorted from the building or told to pack their stuff and leave in the next hour. I have worked in a corporate setting, seen it happen. But you never read about it in the paper the next day. In the professional sports world, everyone gets to know every detail b/c of ESPN, the internet and newspapers. We have lived our lives watching my dad’s career play out in public- wins and losses, hirings and firings; this isn’t the first time he has been “dismissed.” But this time is different.

You see the previous times were more in the middle of his career. He and my mom were raising three kids, worried about college, retirement and the elusive World Series ring. He had already discussed this being his last season in uniform. We have all hoped for that. Not that it hasn’t been a wonderful ride. We have lived in 5 states and Puerto Rico, seen games in 20 or so stadiums across the country and Canada. Our travels have been extensive and we have been afforded many opportunities because of my father’s career.

But this time, all three of us are college grads and Ryan is on to law school in a few weeks. My parents responsibilities for us are dwindling and now they can focus on themselves and their grandkids. My Dad can join us at Katie Kohl’s wedding in two weeks- the first time, besides our own weddings, that our whole family will attend a wedding together. He can play golf with Ryan in his remaining few weeks of study-less days. He can take Maeve to Mr. Gatti’s and the rides at the mall. He can enjoy dinners with Mom and talk across the driveway with Jimmy.

I can only imagine how my dad is feeling after spending 30+ years in professional baseball. My career only lasted 10 years but when I left in May, it was a hard transition. I didn’t realize it but I had been defined by what I did. But now in Raleigh, people only know me as “Jack’s mom.” I stay at home. They don’t know that I traveled the continent building playgrounds and educating community leaders. I have struggled with this. I want to shout out “I am more than a mom. I have a great education and exceptional skills.” But you know what. That doesn’t matter in the end. In the end all that we will leave here are our children.

So Dad, I think I can speak for Shannon and Ryan, when I say, that while we are so proud of you and your career, and while we will tell the stories to our children and theirs, and while you may or may not go back to the field come February, we are glad you are home now. We know your career will be documented and you will be known for the coach that you are and all the famous players you helped. But most importantly, we are proud of the amazing man, husband, father and grandfather you are and the life you and Mom have given our family. Welcome home! You are going to love East Tennessee in September!

Phone time and haircuts

Nothing too exciting going on here this week. Daddy took me to get my haircut yesterday and I was such a good boy- of course when he takes me! I sat really still and let the lady work her magic. Mom came home after having her hair cut and thought I look really handsome!

Here I am calling Daddy at work. I like to pretend and then I say "hi dad! hi dad!" But when Mommy calls him for real, I clam up.

Yep, Mom is getting blonder by the day. She had enough with that brunette stuff. Blondes definitely have more fun. I should know.

Good Times in Knoxvegas

Last Sunday Mom and I headed across the Tarheel state (almost all of it) and went to Knoxville for the week. The big occasion was that Goose was home for the All-Star Break so we got some great time with him. I also played ALOT with Maeve. We are so much fun together!

Me and Goose

Mimi and Goose would turn the sprinklers on whenever we wanted! It was great!

Maeve and I love bathtime!
We met Uncle Ryan for lunch one day downtown and stopped off at Mast General for some candy. We almost convinced Goose to buy us this horse...
Maeve likes to get into purses and play with lipgloss. Here she is caught in the act.
It was a great week! We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends! We will see you in a month!

Wedding in Atlanta

After our week in Knoxville, Mom and I headed to Atlanta for a few days. We had a great time seeing lots of our friends. Dad flew in Friday afternoon to join us. We were so excited to see him!

Friday Mom and Dad went to Megan and Andrew's rehearsal dinner which was catered by Sam and Dave's BBQ. If you live in Atlanta/Marietta, you must go there. It is so good!! I got to stay with Betsy and James. I loved James! He played trains with me, gave me a bath and laughed alot! On Saturday, Mom and Dad went to the wedding and I hung out with Jenna and Dan. They took me to the playground and I got to play with Abby, their dog.

Here are few wedding pics:

The Councills and The Egans

Andrew and Clay
Cutting the cake

Big Boy

It's been awhile. We have been lots of fun places since I last posted and I will fill you in on those but here are some updates on me. I have started to refuse to sit in a booster or high chair, preferring a big boy seat or the bar stool you see me at above. I like to feed myself- don't help me with anything, including my yogurt. Yes, I make a mess but mom and dad are great and clean it up. On the sleeping front, I am now in a big boy bed. It was a rough go the first few nights. Mom and Dad locked me in my room and I would cry myself to sleep at the door. Dad would come in and put me in my bed after I had fallen asleep. They have also found me asleep curled up in the glider and standing up against the glider! BUT last night, I went right to my bed and slept there all night! 8pm-8am. My parents were so excited!!

How it is done

So we got back from NY and Dad figured out to get my mattress all the way to the ground practically so I could not climb out. I didn't that night and my parents thought they had bought themselves at least a few more weeks of me in my crib. WRONG! I got out last night. After much protest Mom put me back in with a stern warning but I didn't care. I was mad and wanted play. Here is what she walked in on...

4th of July

We had a great weekend and were happy to be home to celebrate the 4th. We spent the afternoon at a BBQ and pool party. I loved the pool! I swam for almost 3 hours! Most of the time was spent jumping to Daddy. I would count 1-2-3 and then jump. Or sometimes I would jump on 1 and catch him off guard. He always caught me though! We had a blast!

Mom made these cupcakes for the party. They are like the flower ones using the melted chocolate to make the designs. These can be interpreted as either flowers, stars or fireworks.
And in my quest to get into everything I can, I got Daddy's wallet off the island and decided to clean it out for him. This is how he found me...

New York Part 1

We headed to the Big Apple this week to see Goose and lots of friends and family. The Rangers were playing the Yankees (won 2 of 3) so Daddy got to go to a game and we all had a lot of fun.

Mom, me and Goose in Times Square

Goose had lollipops on hand every day!
On our first night in NYC, we had dinner with Aaron, Samantha and Ezra Stein. Dad and Aaron worked together at THD in Atlanta and we have stayed friends. It was great to see them and to meet Ezra!

New York Part 2

On our second day in NYC, we had breakfast with Goose and all headed down the street to FAO Schwartz. I loved it! I loved climbing on all the huge stuffed animals and I loved the BIG piano.

After naptime we went up to meet my mom's childhood friend Erin Schmidt Leyton and her little girl Izzy. We played at their house for a while and then went to the playground. It was a great reunion!

New York Part 3

On our third day in NYC, we met up with a bunch of my family to go to the Central Park Zoo. My great Aunt Tricia, Great Aunt Maureen, Great Uncle Kevin, Great Aunt Patti and cousin Andrew all came to the zoo! It was a lot of fun!

I loved the birds and monkeys and especially the NY pretzels!

Andrew, me and Aunt Tricia

Me and Aunt Tricia
Cousin Jessica met us for dinner.
Uncle Kevin and me
Thanks to everyone for coming to meet us for a great day!