The Indy 500 ~ JonesPod Style!

As you may have guessed... we spent the weekend in Indianapolis visiting Jenny's Grandma Mimi (John's mom). Of course we also got to see Jenny's Aunt Barb (John's sister), Uncle Steve, Alex and Sam, as well as, Uncle Tom (John's brother), Liz, and T.J. It was quite the little Dwyer reunion. Levi had an awesome time running around Mimi and Barb's homes, as well as, taking a nap at Macy's as I picked out new work clothes. After two years it was about time I dressed like I want to be at my job...

Levi also enjoyed another new bath tub... Mimi's kitchen sink!

"Is there something on my head?"

"Hey Mom, what you doin'?!"

"I love bath time! Check out tooth No. 5 on the right side of my mouth...

No. 6 is almost through too!"

Levi also got to enjoy the lovely Indy grass in Mimi's neighborhood

Flying baby!

Back home Levi looked like a little Mad Scientist after his bath

"Who me?"

"Phooey! I no mad science-sis... I spittin' monster baby!"

Another wonderful Levi facial talent is the "scrunchy face" when he's either thinking really hard or upset... it's awesome! And he does it on command which is an added bonus!

"Give me that camera Dad; let's see how you like that flash in your face!"

There's that smile we love!

Have a great Fourth of July everyone! Take some time to reflect on what it stands for and what a privilege and blessing it is to live in this country... yes, even for us Republicans. Also, be safe with those fireworks; no blowing off limbs!"

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!"

~ 2 Corinthians 3:17

Home Sweet Home :)

Wow, it's already been two weeks and Levi is on the move! His communication and walking skills are getting better every day. He's getting very good at repeating small words that we say, standing on his own without support, and "cruising" (walking with support, i.e. furniture, our help, mobile toys). Also, he's working on his texting skills so he can stay close with all his aunts and uncles...

Thursday before we headed out of town (Jenny and Levi to Wisconsin, me to Canada), Jenny watched our friends' daughter Isabel. She's very cute and though Levi seems to still be more into his electronics than girls we think the early social interactions are a good step towards being a little gentleman.

"You have a lot of hair"

"That Hippo is alright, but the Lion is much awesomer!"

When I got back from Canada, we had a family reunion with my dad's side of the family (most of the men on my dad's side were on the Canada trip). We decided to introduce Levi to swimming pond water at my parents... he quickly disapproved of the mass amount of water!

No, my parents don't live in the Caribbean; their pond is just dyed this color.

Levi with his Papa Mokey, who asked me over this past week what his new name would be once he quits... maybe Papa No-Mokey.

Our little show-off with is second cousins William and Natalie


Back at home! And enjoying some grooming... but first Levi needed to make sure it tasted ok


"Ok, I'm ready for some styling!"

Well, that's our last two weeks in a nut shell. As a quick summary: I fished, Jenny and Levi visited family and friends and Jenny helped her parents repaint their kitchen cabinets. We'll end with a video of Levi and Jenny goofing around at the kitchen table. Sometime will probably need to make eating time "more serious," but not yet!

Have a great week everyone and here's to the first weekend of the summer!

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. HE makes me lie down in green pastures, HE leads me beside quiet waters, HE restores my soul. HE guides me in paths of righteousness for HIS name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for YOU are with me; YOUR rod and YOUR staff, they comfort me. YOU prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. YOU anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. ~Psalm 23

Calm Before the Storm!

Wow, the power of no plans! This weekend was a much needed break from the usual "GO-GO-GO!" JonesPod motto. During the week we had plans/activities almost every night, including my Thursday night challenge to entertain two young boys by myself for about an hour and a half (not difficult at all, just the most Levi focused activity we had during the week). All in all, Levi and Cyrus play very well together.

I think Levi is contemplating if Cyrus will let him poke him in the face...

This was one of the many toys the two of them both wanted...

of course, at the same time.

Levi and I having a staring contest; he usually wins

"You win, you always do..."

"Ok, Mom, just let me finish eating!"

Other than laying low most of the weekend, we did venture out for a while on Saturday to enjoy one of our local parks. Levi sat in the stroller without the carseat adapter for the first time!

This boy loves the swings!

One of the many perfect pictures Jenny took that day!

"Higher!"

Just checkin' out his surroundings

And being cute, of course!

"Too high!"

"That's better!"

Well, that's all we've got for this week. It went by super fast and we'll be glad the next time we have a free weekend to just hang out. If I remember right, that won't be until July...

Also, Levi got sick on Sunday, which was a big reason for why we didn't take more pictures this weekend (he's doing a lot better now; thank you to all those who were praying). He's a funny little sick boy to be perfectly honest. He was a little scared when he would throw-up, but with a quick hug he was back to his playful and happy self!

Have a great week everyone, and just as a heads-up, I'll be out of town for the next week and won't be able to post again until after Father's Day. So, Happy early Fathers Day to all those dads out there and we'll "see" you in two weeks!

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." ~Psalm 118:24

Memorial Day Weekend... of craziness!

"Levi, are you ready for a weekend of adventures?... ya, that's how I feel, too."

This week was pretty low key for us, but good thing because this weekend was absolutely jam packed with activities and visits! We left Chicago Friday afternoon, spent 3.5 lovely hours in the car, and arrived in Madison to spend the evening with our friend Roxi. Unfortunately, I didn't pull out the camera to get any great shots, but we had a wonderfully relaxing time. Thanks Roxi!

Friday night we stayed at my parents and got to spend a little time with Mykalanne and my mom, but we were out the door before noon to make lunch, in New Berlin, with one of my undergrad professors and then off to Milwaukee to spend the afternoon with the great grandparents!

Levi was very serious about his snacks and enjoyed well over a full serving of them!

Levi and Bompa practicing on the piano

Man was Sunday hot! Luckily we only had to be one place on Sunday (other than church), a wedding only 10 minutes from Jenny's parents house, where we were staying. Yay for limited travel on Sunday! Despite the heat, the wedding was very nice and we got to meet up with some old friends. I was on Levi duty for the wedding and I must say he was very well behaved!

A guest priest (that we knew from Whitewater) was helping move some chairs and knocked over this chair with our friend Mark's food on it... he cursed and just put the chair back. Not sure if he'll be confessing the profanity to another priest or just let it slide. Either way it was hilarious (maybe you just had to be there).

Here's our sweaty beautiful family in the reception tent... the fans weren't close enough!

Levi had a new girl friend about every 15 minutes. Here two young girls were waiting their turn to dance with Levi. I knew it was a bad idea to let him take off his shirt... check out that snack pack!

Oh Levi, drivin' the older girls crazy!

Awww, here's Levi back with his Mama... and girlfriend Laura.

Levi and Jenny dancing to some good Wisconsin Polka

Cupid Shuffle with Daddy!

We've made it to MEMORIAL DAY!!!

A little relaxing in the morning with Jenny's parents and Drew then off to Chris and Sarah's for some R&R and Spaghetti! Thanks guys, it was delicious!

(I call this a Cyrus face)

Levi was totally worn out from this weekend. He had some good snuggles with Sarah and then we made our way home after a nap and dinner.

Sorry again for the Wednesday posting, but it took me well over a day to recover from this weekend and we're between internet providers, so I'm posting over lunch. I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and thank you to all those that have or are serving in our military, God bless you!

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord you God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." ~Isaiah 43:1b-3a