HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

(CLICK TO VIEW UP CLOSE)

Does he remind you of mommy or daddy?

A time at the park

This past Wednesday we decided to meet up with Auntie Angie and Baron at their home and then head out for a picnic at the park with the boys. It was a good time on the swings and the slide. We even played, well, attempted to play, a little 1st-timer frisbee golf. Fun, even though we didn't really know the difference between a putter disc and the driver? Anyway, it was a nice day out and we enjoyed it thoroughly, so did the boys.

From sitting, now crawling!

Luke and Mommy enjoyed a nice day in Orlando with Jenn's good friend Julie and her son Aiden! Not so long ago I remember holding Aiden when he was less than a month old. Time flies! They visited Barnum & Bailey's Circus while daddy ventured the SHOT show. Besides the logistics of attending this event Jenn said that Luke had a phenominal time watching all the acts and especially the elephants, but was worn out by the end of the show.

Luke's favorite red wagon, that Grandpa Pantleo purchased for him is getting good use. He has already been on many walks through our community and throughout our yard and house; and it soon may be used to haul puppies to and fro. Here luke enjoys another nice winter day in our yard, notice that the hard frost we had finally made our lawn turn brown:( I'm sure another week or so and some good rain and it will be back to its normal condition. Brrrrrrr, going to get down into the low 30's tonight....brrrrr.....(*notice the extreme sarcasm)

Luke is doing more and more new things each day. One day he couldn't sit up and now he sits up without a care in the world. Last week he couldn't crawl and 1 day later he is crawling all over. What next? Daddy says duck calling, mommy says "just saying mommy":) Daddy is afraid to know what is next as much energy as this lil man has he is going to be tough to keep up with when he finally finds his two feet and legs.

As you can see in the photo below Luke's bottom two front teeth are solidly in place now. No more chewing on daddy's fingers in his spare time. Those razor blades are sharp!!

Here is a brief clip of Lukes latest accomplishment, crawling towards the ever-elusive pine cone!

Little Gym

For the last semester Luke has been enrolled in a Little Gym class locally in Orange Park. Jenn has had a lot of experience with Little Gym classes for several of the families she has nannied prior to having Luke. It has been a great experience for Luke, mom and even daddy, who has attended the majority of the classes. From learning new sounds and making new friends to tumbling, exercising and stretching we have enjoyed these weekly classes enormously.

This is where Luke first learned to love bubbles, chew on bells and to reach for objects. Now they, bubbles, are a focal point for him, and attain the most concentration he can offer. I don't know what he thinks when they are released into the air....maybe he wishes he could float softly as they do, maybe he still just wonders what they are....either way it is amazing to just observe him being watchful and taking it all in.

He is far far from where he started as the rookie throwing up on the floor and mom after being tossed around and crying at the excitement from others and our teacher Ms. Tina(who we're pretty sure he has a crush on as he never takes his eye's off her).

Here are just a couple of the clips we made today during his last class for this semester.

Xmas Duck Hunting

Xmas Collage

Santa.........Who? Where? When?

While taking the whirlwind tour of the Southeast United States from FL, NC to AR in less than 3 days, we managed to make a little time for Luke to meet the "Gift Giver", the "Cookie Thief" or as most call him Jolly 'Ole St. Nick. It is a fact that he currently resides in Pine Bluff, AR, well at least that weekend he did. Who knew? Well, Mr. Luke had several first impressions of the Jolly Guy.

1st-smiling happy

2nd-dazed & confused by the beard

3rd-100% fear

That's the last time Santa ignores daddy's request to not talk to the baby and just smile for the camera. Luke only cried for a moment and was back to smiling and questioning whether or not the white-bearded-guy was safe or not. No amber alert needed, he was no Billy-Bob Thorton. AKA "Bad Santa"...

As most with fine tastes and first Christmas' it was requested by mommy that we take some "professional" Christmas photos of Luke. Well, with a mind for creativity and a budget for a miser: a white sheet, some red wrapping paper and a Santa hat and wallah', instant professionals!!! Luke did great in our 10 minute session. Those Lil blue eyes are going to be lady killers some day. Lucky him.

Now back to our Southeast journey over the Thanksgiving Holiday. To our joyous delight, my mother and father gave in to "baby-pressure" and traveled to meet us for several days during the Turkey Holiday. The choirs of duck calls in sweet melody were just too much to resist I would assume, so they made the 10hr trek to the 'Rice and Duck Capital of the World', Stuttgart, AR.

We did many things in Stuttgart during the Wings over the Prairie Festival that week. We visited famed Mack's Prairie Wings and the RNT call shop, burnt waffles at the Best Western, hung with the locals at Walmart on Black Friday and enjoyed the 2nd Annual Raulie Brunch at the Harbor Oaks Golf Club in Pine Bluff. We enjoyed a parade of lights through the park on the lake that night and the thrilling aroma of the Pine Bluff paper mill......again.

Besides qualifying for the 73rd World Duck Calling Contest, Zach worked his calling savvy on some wary acorn-fed mallards at the Prairie Wings Hunt Club with his friend Brad Thomas(GM at the Harbor Oaks C-Club and Prairie Wings family member). Hunting was good and this was the first time that Zach and Holly have hunted the famed Arkansas Flooded Timber! It was a real treat and again we realize how deprived we are in Florida.

Holly, awaiting her call to retrieve the next timber mallard.

Jenn and Luke with the Festival Mascot "Mall R Duck", the original duck caller.

Jenn and Luke, as well as Grandma and Grandpa Raulie braved the Arkansas wet and chilly evening to watch 66 duck callers try their best to impress 5 judges. All-in-all, Zach did well, better than last year, almost making the cut to the 3rd round. He did make it into the 2nd Round, the first time any caller from Florida has done so. Zach's 2nd round routine was less than stellar and he was cut after such and achieved 33rd place out of 66. Good luck next year daddy!

Luke and mommy all bundled up during the contest.

Luke and mommy post Santa visit. He loves his momma'.

It is evident here that Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed every minute of their trip with their Grandson. They even gave Zach and Jenn a night on the town for the Callers VIP Party while they tackled baby-duty for an evening.

On a sad note, while Mom and Dad were with us in Arkansas, their lab 'Beau' passed away after almost 12 years of age. For those of us that knew him or had hunted with him. He had the birdy nose of a field champion pointer, the enormous block head of a grizzly, the stubborness of a mule, yet the heart of a best friend, son, brother and companion. As mom tells, he was very well behaved these past few years, a joy to have, but in the beginning he was as had-headed as they come. He will be missed dearly, but we know life is good on Haugen's 100 where he will spend the rest of his days in pheasant filled fields and waterfowl filled skies.

Upon our return from Arkansas, Nov 30th, Jenn celebrated her golden birthday in a truck full of 3 guys and 2 dogs for 12+ hours. Unbeknown to her, one week later we suprised her with a party full of family and friends. Here, Mommy and Luke take time for a quick photo before Luke grabs his first handful of cake:) Likely not to be the last!

We hope that the Holiday's find all of you safe & warm, with the loved ones and friends you most dearly wish to see.

Merry Christmas,

Zach, Jenn, Luke, Zoi(soon to be pregnant) and Holly