We had a great time celebrating John's birthday. It all started with a visit to Grandma & Pop's and the McKenna Children's Museum. The boys are still talking about it! Friday, the Magees came into town to celebrate and we had a good time visiting the circus...Jake wasn't too fond of the clowns...can't blame the kid! We also had a great party with lots of friends...a giant pinata...John got to the one and only swing in before it broke open...water guns....slip and slides...yummy pizza and cake. Thanks to everyone for making it such a fun week for the Johnster (and the rest of us too)!!!

"Helping" Dad in the kitchen

The boys have been "helping" Mark make dinners on Sundays. John does great with the big knives...so far Mark still has all his fingers! Jake is our taste tester and we get to enjoy the creations if there's anything left after he gets his hands on it!

Happy 5th Birthday Bug!!

We can't believe that it's already been 5 years since the day the bug joined our family! He's been such a blessing in our lives. Always full of energy and love for his family. Loves wrestle mania and star wars. We are so grateful to have him and for the joy he brings us! Happy 5th Birthday Bug!!!John Russell Allen Aug 20, 2004 7lbs 12oz; 22 inches John -- 5 years old

Happy Haircut!

Can you figure out which is John and which is Ryan?

Swimming Lessons 2009

Swimming lessons are finally over for the summer. We'll be hitting the pool again Nov/Dec, but for now we're taking a break. John and Jake did fantastic! John is swimming on his own, freestyle and backstroke! Jake is swimming by himself too...his is still more of a 'drowning in a direction,' but MUCH better than the sinking he was doing earlier in the summer. His favorite thing is to retrieve sunken toys from the bottom of the pool. John loved having some friends in his swim lessons. Ryan is still pretty indifferent about it all. He fell asleep most evenings during swim lessons, even when he was in the pool!

James Bond Watch Out...

Just a little taste of the wedding festivities to come...

Emily Maryann Jackson

So Mark and I are now officially Uncle and Aunt!!! Ms. Emily Maryann Jackson arrived at 7:59am this morning, weighing in at 7lbs 4oz and was 20 inches long. She is beautiful and I can't even tell you the excitement that was in our house today knowing about her safe arrival. Mom & Dad seem to be tired, but doing well. We are so grateful for this new little addition to our lives & look forward to spoiling her rotten and getting her aquainted with wrestle mania!! We haven't braved 'the cousin visit' yet...she's had a busy first day, so we thought we'd save that for when she's had a chance to hang with her parents for a bit. Ryan did get to meet her briefly, but he was too busy chewing everything in sight (two front teeth coming in). Welcome Ms. Emily!!!

"Too Shoop"

We went tubing over the weekend and had a great time!! We hit the Comal nice and early and missed some of the crowd. The boys weren't too sure at first, probably because the water is freezing, but they warmed up to the idea after the first "too shoop" (tube chute) as Jacob would call them.

Young Love...

The boys had a play date with some good little friends. This was one of the first times Ryan has been old enough to play with Maj-Lis and he sure noticed her and was quite smitten. Who wouldn't be with that cute girl!!

From the hands of babes...

(this is a card John wrote to my Aunt Pat...so cute)