Body by Jax

This is a simple workout where you don't need weights or mats. Just get yourself a roll of paper towels and follow Jax's lead as he lets it know who's boss.

Christmas Parade!

Estes Park has an annual Christmas parade every year on the day after Thanksgiving (so please excuse any "bloatedness" that I have in the following photos). Anywho, each year I complain that I don't think it will be that fun, Brooke gives me the stink-eye, I acquiesce... and then have a great time.

Unfortunately, we arrived about 3 minutes before the parade ended because Ryan Scrivner and I were partaking in all you eat wings in Colorado (yeah, I know it's the day after Thanksgiving--by Kevvy like wingy). However, Jax loves the cold and enjoyed all the bright lights and people watching.

Those rosie cheeks only get rosier in the cold...

Rose's mom Faye made it up and got in some Jax time.

Chris D'Ambrosia was also there - but this was the only photo where the flash didn't combine with his smile to wash out the photo.

Right before this photo Jax told a great joke about Braden's jacket.

Me: "Man that's a hot mom you have, Jax!"

Jax: "Whatchyou talkin bout, papa?"

Thanks grandma & grandpa

I add this to simply say, "Thank you," to Grandma & Grandpa Graff and Scrivner. Brooke and I headed to Mexico with Braden and Rose for 6 nights of R&R and this obviously would not been possible without Jax's grandparents watching him for a few days each. We skyped with him every night - but he was generally having so much fun he just wanted to get back to play time.

Thanks!

Baptism time!

Brooke and I were a bit slow in getting Jax baptized... but on December 13, 2009 -- the little man finally took center stage. We were honored to have his Godparents, Meghan Schmillen and Lucas Jones join us for the ceremony.

As one would expect at this point, Jax was happy to take part, although he tried to remove Will's (Pastor's) microphone a few times.

That's a good looking set of Godparents. Jax certainly seems to like'em! That, or he likes wearing an all-white silk shirt/shorts man-suit. Or maybe Meghan just snuck Jax some of the Eucharist?

Jackson's grandparents all cheered the team through the event.

Luke did get a chance afterward to take Jax out back and teach him some of the finer points of life.

And after a busy day, Jax generally likes to take off his shoes and sit back with a fine amber ale. I would have never guessed an 8 month old would love beer this month!

Sorry that I've been such a sap for so long on the blog front. Performance will improve!

Happy Halloween everyone!

Jax has been getting into the spirit. He started with a trip to the pumpkin patch with his cousins.




That's Megan, Madison and Katelyn hanging out with him in the wagon.

Grandma was there as well. What's tougher than getting four kids to all look at the camera at the same time when it's blowing dust in their eyes and they're looking into the sun?


Jax did not get into this position on his own.


Ummm, corn...


I love my mommy. Even if she took my corn away.


After the pumpkin patch, Jax was glad to get those clothes off to get rowdy on his new elephant rug from Aunt Rose.


Now to the main event!

Jax definitely has no idea what's going on. His Aunt Amy got him a cow costume (they have better cow costumes in Wyoming) and he was ready to go. In fact, I think Jax thought he finally had hoodie-style pajamas.

The Graff's and Scrivner's combined for a Halloween fright adventure. With Kimn, Rob, Rose, Braden and Ryan in effect -- there were more adults than kids at the Grandparent Graff house for the first time all week.

That's Aaron (bat), Rachel (cat), Madison (skeleton), Megan (witch), Katelyn (lady bug) and Olivia (Cat in the Hat) from left to right. Aaron, Rachel and Olivia are three of the Terrell's friends from WY.

SHOCKER ALERT! SHOCKER ALERT!

Not only did the Scrivner's all come over -- they all showed up wearing wigs, costumes and even makeup. Don't believe it?

Nice work, Team Scrivner. And a thanks to Brado and Rose for the wigs.

Jax, what did you think about your first Halloween?


'Nuff said.


Note: Chik-fil-A was not an official sponsor of this blog post.

Happy Halloween!

6 Months Old!

Doing well! More blogs on the way this weekend (dad hopes)...

Bronco time

Cutler isn't the only baby in the stadium tonight!

Rockies Date with Campbell Grey

Campbell Grey emailed a few weeks ago hoping to take Jax to a ball game for some brats, breast milk and baby talk. Being that she's a very attractive young lady with such a fine pedigree... Jax quickly accepted. The two Brooke's had to do some serious chaperoning to make sure that there was no hand holding in the backseat.

They were traveling in their favorite automobiles (one of these is the new over-sized models).
Remember Jax, initiating conversation is the hardest part. Once at the game, there was plenty of time for baby talk and cooing.
What did he just say to me?
Things are starting to move along nicely.
That's so funny I've got to bury my face in your shirt!
And finally "the move"...
Very smooth.
That. Was. Awesome!
As responsible parents - we were forced to pull them apart. Let's go back to the kiddos for their reactions.

"What the heck was that? One minute we're talking colic reducing bottle delivery systems and the next thing I know we're on first base."


"I'm on top of the world!"

All in all, a successful first date for Jax... and if you haven't seen... the little guy's first Rockies game was one of the best regular season games in franchise history. Thanks Grey's!

Somebody's Teething

He has two bottom teeth and some coming in up top!

Happy Birthday Kate Hartman!

A Laughing Fool

Jax has a good laugh watching dad play with his mom's dog. We were a little worried that he might start crawling before he starting laughing. No more concern.

Jax tries food

Well, I guess we can call "Rice Milk" food.

That was his 4 month birthday, so we figured we'd give it a shot. Summary would be that he really likes rice milk, or at least he really likes the spoon -- and once he gets it in his mouth, he is trying to figure out how to swallow it.



Here's a long version for those that really want to see it (ie., grandmothers). We also added a bit more rice to this bowl.

He continues to enjoy eating, although he gets more on himself than he does in his stomach.
Good times!

Jax Goes Ranchin

Luckily for Jax, he has a lot of farming/ranching blood in his background (thanks to the Hoods and the Elliotts). Unfortunately for Jax, his mom and dad fashion themselves as suburbanites and city folk, respectively.

On the bright side, the Cushman's Twin Creeks Ranch provides ample opportunity for Jax to... to... well, I guess fishing/shooting/horse riding and 4-wheeling are out when you're only 3 months old? Raw deal, Jax.... someday, my son. Just be very very nice to Sam Cushman. She's not the one you should be kicking in the shins. That is, unless she likes it and kicked you first (we'll talk about technique in this area in a few years).

At least for now, you got to ride on a plane! True, your dad is a marginal husband and your mom had to fly with you alone. At least you share her love of escalators.


It should be said that Jax was completely easy on the entire round trip. His penchant for sleeping in cars clearly translates to airplanes. Plus, if he gets ranching from the Elliotts and Hoods -- he gets some flying prowess from his Grandpa and Uncle Graff.

Here he is taking it in on his own row...


And then falling asleep...


Once at the Ranch, Jax wanted to go for a hike.


Similar to his dad's approach to household chores, Jax finds it more appealing to sleep while mom does all the work.


And here is a potpourri of other good times at the Ranch.

(I know, no Jax -- but what a great shot of the Yak)