A visit to Howell's Pumpkin Patch

They hydro-duckie race was a hit with both boys.

A photo opportunity at the iconic Howell's sign. I think I have one of these from every year we've visited, and have managed to stay out of the photo each time.

Jack tackled Mt. Haystack. When asked if he wanted to give it a try, Griffin said, "No. It's yucky and smells like poopy." City kids.

Next we conquered the corn maze.

Bryan hoists his perfect pumpkin in jubilation. OK, maybe he was laughing at something the boys said.

Griffin and his sherpa haul the pumpkins back to our wheelbarrow.

"Stop, sherpa. I'd like this one instead."

The menfolk carry our pumpkins back to the tractor.

Flag football -- go Jayhawks!

Jack is on the Jayhawks this year for flag football at the YMCA. He'd still prefer to tackle, but he's getting more involved this year.

Silly with pride, you can see he's holding someone else's flag in his hand. Daddy may or may not bribe him with goals of getting others' flags.

Another celebratory flag capture.

"Jack Boesen is the ball carrier..."

The loan Jayhawk in a sea of opponents.

He ended up getting away from this close call, but pay special attention to the "Boesen tongue thing" that Jack has inherited from all his great uncles. Hey, it served him well in this situation.

A ride on Thomas the Tank Engine

Griffin and Cole Ferrell got to see Thomas up close. His eyes "moved all around and his horn was too noisy." But still, they had a good time. Also, we thought it was nice that they planned their outfits accordingly.

"Hey, look! It's the conductor!"

Aunt Meredith and cousins Johnny and Sofia got to go for a ride on the train too.

These two creepy dudes just like trains, apparently. They didn't have any kids with them or anything.

"What's over there?"

Jack's first day of kindergarten

Jack started kindergarten at St. Augustin Elementary, just up the street from where we live. He was excited on the first day to show off his uniform: Navy and white for "Penn State away." We knew he'd find a way to turn a polo shirt and chinos into a jersey of some sort. 

Griffin wanted in on the uniform action, too. He settled for his favorite "Snoopy jersey" with new shoes to match Jack's. Griffin was NOT happy when we dropped Jack off at school for the day.

This is Jack's macho "kindergarten smile." He settled into his seat at school and got straight to work (we hope).

Go Rockies

Jack played as #13 for the Rockies in T-ball this year. We decided he didn't need to start and crazy superstitions early in life and kept our mouths shut about his number. So far, it seems to have paid off; he's doing pretty well hitting the ball off a pitch, even though it's only supposed to be T-ball.

Jack got some hitting advice from his personal coach.

"Did you see that great hit? I want to play too!"

Jack practiced fielding the ball at his first game of the season (far right in gray).

A Successful Hockey Season

Jack missed the final hockey practice due to strep and a fever, but he still got to grab his trophy and tell his coach to watch for him next year. Thanks, Coach Scott, for a great first season!

Jack worked very hard and got quite good at all the drills and stick work they did each week. 

Yes, there is a smile underneath all that equipment. I'm happy to say it was usually there, too. 

"And now, skating for the navy team, number 16...Jack Boesen" (crowd screams!)

Toward the end, they even got to play a few three-on-three games. Jack enjoyed the action.

But the best thing about the end of the season was Jack got to be "in goal." Trust me, once he was allowed to be in goal, he didn't want to leave. Do any of you KNOW how expensive goalie equipment is? I'm hoping he stays out of that goal.

Jack Is 5!

On St. Patrick's Day, Jack turned 5. We celebrated at a local arcade/sports bar and he FINALLY got to play Super Chexx. He was happy to open a "slide hockey" game when we got home, which is a smaller version. When he opened new Nike clothes, he said, "boring." 

For his friends, Jack chose to go back to Pump it Up, where he gets to be king and sit in a throne. The crown here actually serves two purposes: 1. it lets everyone know whose day is is, and 2. it hides the beads of sweat on his head from jumping for two hours.

Jack had a nice group of kids from day care and St. Augustin preschool join him for the jumpfest.

The Obsession Continues

Jack's obsession with hockey continues in 2011, and he's made wonderful improvements in his skating skills, thanks to Saturday skating "clinics" with Daddy on the pond by our house. He can even skate backward (video to come)! With practice twice a week, it's been fun to watch him improve with each session. If he works very hard, we usually get to finish with a special hot chocolate from Starbucks.

Back to School

Jack started preschool at a new school this year. Here he is on the first day...complete with iPhone (used as bribery to get him to smile).

Hut, Hut, Hike!

There are no lights at Kinnick Stadium, but that didn't deter Ricky Stanzi from warming up for the 2010 football season. Not easily intimidated, Ricky spends most evenings preparing for the Wisconsin game.

And...More Disney

Jack used his 3D glasses in Woody's Shooting Gallery to practice shooting moving targets.

Jack even tried the water slide at our hotel. He was a pool rat for most of the trip, which could have something to do with the fact that it was 90 degrees.

Jack posed in San Francisco while visiting a movie set in Hollywood Studios.


We traveled all the way to Disney World, but Jack's favorite game during our vacation was playing "coffee." I blame Sally for this one...

Disney, Part Deux

At Hollywood Studios, Jack met up with Lighting McQueen (or Lighting, the Queen, according to Jack) and his buddy Mater. The testosterone was flowing.











Do you like my hat?

Jack got to meet Buzz Lightyear at Disney World after riding his inter-galactic ride shooting lazers at the evil emporer Zurg.

We dined in the "ice cave" at T-Rex Cafe. There were meteor showers every 20 minutes and the dinosaurs around us roared through dinner.

The welcoming committee at T-Rex Cafe in Downtown Disney.

Jack's Visit to Disney World

Seasoned traveler that he is, Jack helped us check in at the airport and then settled in with his ESPN Kids magazine on the flight. He spent a good hour memorizing and questioning the airplane safety sheet.




































Jack was thrilled to see the big castle in person, finally. But he was disappointed when we approached and he realized that it was "closed." For the rest of our visit he kept asking when Disney would be open. Poor guy thought the castle was Disney and the surrounding park was just a fun coincident. He reported back to Bryan at the hotel that the rides were fun but "Disney was closed." Flashbacks to "National Lampoon's Vacation" anyone?

Jack's first ride of choice was Aladdin's magic carpet ride. He was looking for the genie but was no where to be found. We did locate a spitting camel, though.


After a LLLOOOOONNNG (but air conditioned) wait, we met Mickey and Minnie. Does anyone else notice that I am apparently a giant in Disney World? It's like I'm Willie Wonka and the rest of these yahoos are the oompa-loompas. I was impressed that Minnie stood her ground and kept her yellow heels on despite Mickey's "Tom Cruise" stature. You go, girl!