Acksjay: The Jacks Home Page

Back on the 6th we took Logan to try out some indoor rock climbing, the result... she dug it! After a quick two hour class that featured a lot of "When do we get to climb?" and "You have to learn how to be safe before you climb!" and "I'm bored of this class, I want to climb!" we were climbing up and down the walls with style!

Along with Logan, Maggie and Julia were there for the climb and they both enjoyed some fun climbing up and down the walls. Logan's favorite part by far was the coming down, since she could just hang out for a few feet while we lowered her down.

Logan also enjoyed lunch at Union Station and was much happier when we got back to climbing on a full stomach (and that the class was over).

As the day went on Logan ventured a little higher on the wall but Maggie out climbed most of us, moving like a spider monkey up the wall!

The next trip to Upper Limits should be even more enjoyable and we may even bring Nora!

[The Biggest Turkey I could find!]

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Logan drew a few pictures for us to enjoy:

I have posted an album of new photos for everyone's enjoyment. Check the link to the right.

The last few weeks have been fun. We went apple picking, we have been hitting the Rec-Plex (since it reopened the pools), and we got in the last camping trip of the year last weekend.

Sure, we had a little rain both nights but most of us stayed dry (at least those of us who had treated our tents).

The kids had a lot of fun picking apples, it was the over an hour wait for lunch that really took it out of them that day. It seems that Eckert's isn't really famous for serving food quickly!



The camping trip was enjoyed by all! We had a short hike, played with the walkie talkies (OVER), and we even got to enjoy a "light show!"


The stress of camping finally got to Nora:


On Sunday we headed over to Elephant Rocks and had some fun climbing and exploring the park. Logan was able to conquer some mighty rocks:


The girls have been having a good time at school and gymnastics, given their flexibility and energy it is no surprise that they like jumping, running, and tumbling!

Next up is October and Halloween!

Logan and Nora returned to school last Tuesday, while the morning went a little rough we made it to school (a little late) and once they were there the girls had a good time. They have been enjoying their new school and seem to be happy so life is good.

Enjoy a photo of the first day:



Logan gets to wear a uniform while Nora can wear whatever she wishes (as long as she wears sneakers).

Life is good!

It has been a while since I updated this site; but that should not really be a big surprise to anyone. Let’s just face it... I'm lazy!

Back to the point. Since the last update we have gone on a float trip, celebrated Logan's birthday, and just plain partied down. Logan and Nora have discovered the joy of Michael Jackson (Don't say "What?!?!" We all listened to him, we all thought he was the shiz. Don't give me that "I didn't like him" crap!). They are fond of "ABC" which is actually a Jackson 5 song but let’s face it, Michael was the Jackson 5 and even on his own he made some of the greatest music ever!

The float trip was a lot of fun although it was a touch cold and the river was a little higher than normal thanks to all the rain we had. Even so everyone had fun. Logan and Nora had a blast going from boat to boat and Logan even tried the rope swing for the first time but the speed of the river and the cool air made it a lot less fun than swinging on a rope usually is.

We had a group of about 30 people this time so we had plenty to do and plenty of people to hang out with.

Logan's birthday was much smaller, only about 12 kids, which for us is small! We made stepping stones, had some pizza, and then went swimming. Sadly the swimming was cut short by rain; but everyone seemed to have a good time and we were wet already so a little raid didn't hurt us at all!

So Logan has turned 6 and Nora has turned 3. Of course they argue like teenagers; but hey... they are sisters.

Personally, I am thinking about doing the Missouri 340, a boat race from Kansas City to St. Charles in July of 2009. It could be quite fun!

Bridget has been getting out and running in preperation for our team marathon run in October. She's been doing great with the jogging and the running and the drinking of the sports beverages!

That is the last few months in a nut shell.

Nora's party at school was a lot of fun, there were cookies and muffins, very tasty!

Wow, the last month has gone by quickly! Yesterday was Nora's birthday and she got her new bike! A cool little 2 wheeler all pink and shiny. She went wild when she saw it. Not quite as wild as when she got her cake, but excited none the less. Of course, having cake on your birthday requires a bit of an icing fight so we had that as well!

Last weekend we went camping (for at least one night). The weather on Saturday was a bit cold and unpleasant so we headed home in the afternoon. Before we left we did some tasty breakfast and the kids all got to go out in the canoe. We even let Logan and Julia drive the boat on their own. Everyone had a good time and we came back to the house to have dinner and samores.

April was, as you may expect, busy as well. With the passing of Grumps, birthdays, and busy weekends we were pumping along. Not that May and June will be any easier. We have birthday parties, paintball, float trips, races, and more!

Toss in some trips to the pool, bike rides, and lazy days and it will be October before we know it.

Sunday, April 6, 2008 Gary "Grumps" Jacks passed away after a short 61 years. This silly man brought joy to so many and in the end we hope that he did not suffer. He went quickly, waiting till my Mother left the room. When she returned he had passed away.

Now we will see him everywhere, from the flowers to the sky.

You will be missed.

Well, the Superbowl was a big party for the girls, we had lots of friends over (who all ran out at halftime, guess getting kids to bed out weighs watching FOOTBALL!!!!!). The kids all ran about while most of us watched the game and carried on.

There were a few casualties, the doll house's garage was broken, but a little wood glue easily repaired that and everyone was worn out by the end of the day.

In the last few weeks, or days, we have had a snow, hail, a day where the temperature dropped at least 50 degrees in four hours, thunderstorms to put spring to shame, and crazy warm days. With all that change the girls have found themselves inside a lot and from visiting Logan's class on Tuesday it appears that every kid there has not been outside in months! They were crazy energetic.

No photo this time, unless I can find a picture of Tom Brady crying. Which amuses us all. Or maybe a picture of Huckabee after winning West Virginia, come on... his name is "Huckabee!"

Anyway, some birthday parties coming up, Bridget and I have a run on Saturday and the party at the toddler house is this Friday. Its all a blur by the end of the day!

Over the weekend Bridget and I took Logan to the art museum, her favorite part was Art Hill. She also enjoyed walking on the frozen lake (although Bridget did not enjoy that part at all). The ice was about three inches thick so there was not much concern of Logan going in and I was holding her hand from the steps so I could yank her to safety.

Inside the museum Logan wanted to see the Bingham painting that had the “Caps for Sale” guy. Who happens to be a character in one of Bingham’s paintings who has three hats on his head. After that it was on to the mummies then right back out the door to play on the hill.


Outside we found a shoelace and Logan really wanted to fly a kite so I ran the lace through a large leaf and she ran around as happy as could be with the leaf “flying” behind her. We walked around the Grand Basin and played tag on Art Hill.



Last week Logan, Nora, and I went to the Magic House with Adam and Julia. There we met Clifford, explored the trail in the basement, and tried on some Native American garb. The highlight of the trip had to be getting to have a picture taken with Clifford, Logan hugged him so many times that the fur on his suit might have worn thin.

Over the past week we have been painting the first floor of the house a nice soft brown (kind of like a mid brownish leather color if that describes anything other than about 1000 shades of brown). We decided on this color because it was felt that most of the dirt spots on the wall were already that color so future ones would likely be as well. This we decided to go with the flow!

During the painting process I painted a smiley face on the wall which Logan liked. Nora was not so sure about it. Although it has been painted over she still comments that it was “not scary.” I guess it has entered a bit of the lore of the house now.
This weekend we are going to be installing some new electrical boxes and moving the phone line. It promises to be such fun! I’ve even suckered my father into helping with the process. I lured him in with promises of getting to see the girls. A man has to do what a man has to do.

Nora also got to take a ride with the boy down the street in his new 4X4. After a quick tour around the ‘hood she was ready to get behind the wheel herself but she restrained herself and settled for checking out the knobs and turning the wheel.
She did have a lot of fun on the ride, Logan got stuck watching though… Maybe one day her Jeep will come!