11.5 weeks

Yes, I realize we've been lax with the pictures lately.  I'm on winter break (yeah!) and have some time now to post a few pictures.  Be sure to check out the gallery for new shots...including Jack smiling!  We visited Santa at the mall today and Jack slept through this first encounter.  We wish we could be back home for Christmas or that somehow we could see everyone...it's just not in the cards this year.  Grandma, we love you and are praying for you.

Jack's first meeting with Santa.

2 months

Jack turned 2 months old yesterday and we celebrated by going to the doctor and getting 3 shots!  Jack (and I) handled it pretty well I thought.  He cried for a short time and was sleepy and a little fussy for the rest of the day.  We also survived my first week back at work.  It was long and difficult, and there were some tears (from me, not Jack), but overall I think we all did a good job!

Jack's first day at the babysitter's.

Jack at 2 months old.

Sweet Potatoes with Apples

A wonderful side dish found in our The Taste of Home Cookbook.

Ingredients

• 3 to 3½ pounds sweet potatoes


• 2 tart apples, peeled, cored and cut into ¼ inch rings.


• ½ cup orange juice


• ¼ cup packed brown sugar


• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger


• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon


• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions

1. Place sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 30 minutes or until just tender. Drain and cool slightly. Peel and cut into ¼ inch slices.


2. In a greased 13x9x2 baking dish, alternately layer potatoes and apples. Pour orange juice over top. Combine the brown sugar, ginger and cinnamon; sprinkle over potatoes and apples. Dot with butter.


3. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-45 minutes or until apples are tender and heated through.

8 Weeks

Today Mr Baby Jack turns 8 weeks old. Its also Mommys first day back to work and Daddys first whole day alone with the little man.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving despite the Lions and Cardinals losing. Dan came over and we had a turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and rolls, with pumpkin pie and homemade banket for dessert.

Saturday we went and got Jacks first Christmas tree. Hudson hasnt figured out that theres a secret bowl of water under it for him yet this year so this tree might make it all the way through the holiday.

We continue to add pictures to the gallery and the cookbook now has 40 recipies in it and were adding more and more every week.

Most of you have probably heard already, weve decided to move back to Michigan after Jaime finishes this school year and our lease is up. This means that by June 4th we should be back in Grand Rapids. (Just in time for Jacks first festival.)