Sam's Saturday Soup

Sam met his preschool teachers this week and will start next Thursday. He is so excited and will be in a class with three friends we know from church and school, so that will be it extra fun for him to have 2 1/2 hours twice a week of fun and learning.

Sam has taken on the role of doctor. Since he's been with me most of my doctor's visit (until recently - mind you) he watches them measure my belly and listen for Jack's heartbeat. Daily he pulls out the doctor's bag and checks the heart beat with the cloth stethascope, uses his measuring tape from his tool set to measure my belly, checks my muscles (blood pressure) and give me a shot in the hand; always reassuring me that its not going to hurt. It is the funniest thing in the world and so adorable. The other day he asked if he could get into my belly. As fun as that would be for him and me, I'm so glad we don't deliver 35 lb. babies.

Finally - we are heading over to the Parks house to watch the opening game of BYU Football!!!! Yea! I'm hoping to jinx the night of fun that Shawn has been dreaming of since December of last year by going into labor. Shawn says if this happens then he'd have to really think about what is more important getting me to the hospital or seeing the end of the game - women used to have babies at home all the time right? Wish us luck - 9 days before the due date!!!


As a side dish - I added this picture that Shawn drew for a geriatric podiatry club. I was loving it and they had it made up into a t-shirt. He is so good, quite the artist!

Bag Tag

I got a tag from Cortney where I had to dump out the contents of my purse. Well first my purse is more of a bag, and I've never been a purse/bag carrying girl until about two years ago - so my contents are still rather lame. I guess you could say that I'm extremely low maintainance. Here's what was there:
1. A gum wrapper
2. Sam's sticker's from the doctor
3. Sam's pack of Juicy Fruit
4. A bag of M&M's (also Sam's)
5. Cell phone
6. Pen - courtesy of Aunt Judy
7. My wallet
8. Handsanitizer
9. Sunglasses
10. A reciept from Great American Cookies (Yum!)

Thanks Cort for the tag and I tag Andrea, Emily, Erica, Jilene, Kristan, Mic, Nathalie, & Steff. Can't wait to see what exciting things you have in you bags!

Sam's Saturday Soup

When we last left you, you could see that Sam was in major need of a haircut. I hesitated because all of the experiences with cutting Sam's hair have been unpleasant to say the least. Luckily our friend Kristan did a great job and with a little help of M&M's and fast cutting skills we successfully trimmed Sam's hair. He looks so handsome - thanks Kristan you are the best.



Sam's lastest exciting news came as a result of Craigslist. We found a John Deere Pedal tractor for a great price and couldn't turn it down. We picked it up today and Sam has had a blast dump rocks from our landscaping onto the drive way and "checking out the farm" as he puts it.


We also hit Raccoon River this week and enjoyed the sandy beach and the spray park. Really if you haven't been there you have to go, minus the really nasty looking water which is questionably warm the kids had a ball digging in the sand and running back and forth in the water. Not to mention that they can spray off just before you leave so you don't have to bring the beach with you.Finally - we are 2 weeks and counting down Baby Jack's arrival. As of my doctor's appointment on Friday there is not anything signficant or hopeful to think it will be earlier, so we've dusted off the running shoes and started walking every chance we get. Here's a picture (courtesy of Jennilyn) of a GREAT profile shot. Wow my belly is out there!!!

Sam's Saturday Soup - Reflections

I took this picture of Sam after he'd been outside playing - his hair is so thick and he sweats profusely, so the combo created a great hairdo. I called and made an appointment to get his haircut the next day. This week I'd thought I'd share some of Sam's latest reasoning techniques. When he doesn't want me to do something or wants to do something by himself he tells me its either:

A: "too dangerous for you"
B: "only boys can do it"
C: "too easy for you"

Isn't he a smart little guy, he's already coming up for reasons to get rid of me. Today we set up the pool and got out the squirt guns and buckets. I got the bright idea to squirt Shawn in the face, and needless to say he declared war on me. The bad thing is, now that I'm 8 1/2 months pregnant I can't run away very well, and if I laugh too hard I'll wet my pants. Shawn used this to his advantage and would chase me while doing this crazy trot/dance (see the video) that made me laugh - so I had to sit down in order to control my bladder. I got completely soaked thanks to Sam who while I was sitting trying to get my bladder under control came up with a bucket full of water and dumped all over me. Now I know not to mess with my boys unless I'm fully able to run and don't have a baby pressing down on my bladder.

Yeah the post gets longer! My friend Jennilyn took me to get a pedicure yesterday for my birthday!!! It was great, thanks Jenni for thinking of such a needed and relaxing activity, (my toes were shocked they were getting attention, I usually just wait for the old polish to chip off or grow out). I'm so impressed with the little flowers they put on my toes, very detailed and oh-so cute.
Finally - the Summers' family has completely become obsessed with the Olympics, staying up into the wee hours of the night to watch. I just love to see these athletes defy odds. The two things that Shawn and I keep loving is the way the Chinese give high fives, very sharp and precise - makes us Americans look way lazy, and how Chinese girl gymnasts seem to not have ever hit puberty, they claim they are all at least 15, but compared to those good home-grown American gymnists they are missing some pretty anatomically correct curves. What's your favorite thing about the Olympics??

Oh, Shawn just made a funny joke - Our nieces and nephews call him Slap Jack Shawn (b/c he'd play the card game with them all time). He says that after Baby Jack is born they can't call him that anymore! HAHAHAHAAA! I know, I know . . we'll be here all week!

A Name!

We've "officially" chosen a name for our little man:
Its pretty official because its hanging above his crib now, but I guess if he comes out and Jack just isn't right, I'll have to store those letters about and make new ones!
Here's some other pictures of Jack's room, we kind of did a farm theme but without making his bedding John Deere Green! The old black and white pictures are all pictures of both the Summers' farm from 1918, and the Hill (my family's) Dry Farm also in the early 1900's!
I loved the idea giving Jack heritage in his room. Those black and whites are above the changing table.

Finally I have to write that Shawn found out that he passed his first set of board exams!!! YEA!!!! Can I tell you how happy I am, and how much I admire him for doing such a great job in school. He really didn't want me to write anything about the exam, but since when did I start listening to him?? I just have to say again how great he is doing(and how hard he works), and everyone of our friends out here at DMU, its tough work being a student, but they are all doing great! Now that the boards are out of the way, bring on the Baby Jack.

Sam's Saturday Soup - Fishing, Fair, FUN

This week has been really fun and busy. We are really trying to take advantage of the rest of the month with just Sam. We celebrated my birthday on Tuesday, yes the big 25! I have to take a quick second to note that my little brother J.D. and I share the same birthday, and we have always loved sharing the day together, so happy b-day to J, the big 23! My great neighbor Cindi made me an awesome and huge chocolate cake that Sam thought was brownie so loved as much as I did.
Then we went to the opening day of the Iowa State Fair, and enjoyed AWESOME food and weather! It was a beautiful night and we stuffed ourselves with our favorite foods: turkey legs(Shawn), fried pickles (Meg), and hotdogs (Sam). Sam loved seeing the animals - the best place I think for kids is the Animal Learning Center Bldg. next to the Happy Helpers farm thing. They have baby horses, pigs, sheep, ducks, chickens, etc. The kids get to pet some of them and even watch the babies hatch! I was a little bummed though b/c we didn't get to do the Helping Hands exhibit which is one of Sam's favorite things, but to make up for it he went on the potato sack slide TWICE! Yes that's right, my child, who never gets excited about anything asked to go again with a big cheesey smile on his face. How could I not fork out another $10 (I know insane for a slide) - stuff like that never happens with Sam.





We ended the week with fishing at the Pence's. We came out empty handed, but Sam was more interested in the kittens and the pedal tractor!!! He had a ball, and I also have to say I LOVE their house - it really is my dream house including barn, gardens, pond, everything about it is what I would love to have someday.It is just so "homey"! So we had a great week and hope that everyone else had a fabulous week too.





QUESTION of the WEEK: What is your favorite part about the fair???

So I read it - - -

I finished Breaking Dawn two days ago, and have tried to come up with words to describe how I felt about it! I've read a bunch of other people's responses and I think they would concur with my mixed reviews. First I love that Edward and Bella are "officially" together, but on the other hand, does Bella really deserve Edward?? She kind of drives me crazy, the constant whiny, stubborn attitude drives me crazy and I think would Edward and Jacob really want to be with someone like her?? So why does she get to pick which one she wants and they both just stand there like you are the greatest thing in the world, when I want to throw things at her and tell her to stop being such a baby!

Speaking of babies - the whole baby thing really wierded me out, but I liked the idea that it could work out for human/vampire. It also made the book like Erica said a little less believable, which helped me to let go of my mad obsession with them. The others seemed to be more possible, where this one with blood drinking, vampire creating, shield powers, imprinting on infants gave it the ultra supernatural that really isn't my bag, so I think I'm officially over my Twilight Trauma, but I am looking forward to the movie.

So all in all, I liked it, not loved it, but am satisfied with the way it ended although if there is really a guy like Edward Cullen out there, please don't settle for a Bella - be a man, don't let her be all "he's my best friend and I love him in a different way" - tell her to hit the high road! And that's all I have to say about that.

Sam's Saturday Soup - The Return!

So we are finally back from our fun vacation to Idaho. We really had a great time visiting our family, playing in the water, seeing all the new little cousins, and of course - enjoying Pioneer Day!! I also need to thank Shawn for the great job he did on the blog while I was gone. I know it was a huge sacrifice for him, but he managed to pull through. Also I came back to a very fun exciting surprise - Shawn surprised me with Brad Paisley concert tickets and an overnight trip to Kansas City for my birthday.

We had a great time, seriously it was amazing to see him play the guitar and Jewel was touring with him and she yodelled, which is one of my favorite things she does: enjoy the video!

Thanks Shawn - you're the best.

Sam and Grandpa Kelly fishing - this pond was incredible. It is stocked, so the fish literally fight to get on the hook. Sam caught three fish, one he hooked in the tail! He had a great time.
Sam and "his girls" the Ashton girls heading up to fish.
Cowboy Sam - we went to the Pioneer Day Rodeo and Sam loved it. He loved being in his cowboy clothes and watching the bucking broncs and the bulls!

Sam and his cousins at the Sand Dunes - the loved playing in the sand and roasting hotdogs and smoresThis is me at 35 weeks - only five more weeks to go! Yea! I can't wait to get our little guy here.
Sam and his cousins on a float with my Grandma Jeanne - as you can see, he was very excited to be! Thanks mom for holding him there so we could get a picture!