I've had some great chances to get out with Jack this summer...great blessing. We had two fun outings we were particularly thrilled about: sailing and camping.
Sailing
I know what you are thinking, and believe me the excitement is just like the movie (luckily nobody had to tie Jack or me to the stern, we did pretty well by ourselves). But sailing is so amazing, you should definitely put it on your bucket list. Jack and I got in the boat with our friends Brendon and Herb (pictured below). Brendon motored us out to the spot where we were ready to set sail and, with our vector set, we let loose the canvas, cut the engine, and away we went!
I didn't have a cool sailor hat though...note to self.
It is something else being out in the ocean, with no loud motor running, and chopping through the ocean going 25-30 mph (21 knots). You feel the dynamics of the open water a lot more than any other boat I've been on. They even let me steer the boat, it's CRAZY how much the ocean tries to fight you. I even got to change the course of the boat to turn completely around, which is more intense than you might think.
Jack had an excellent time as well. He got to be with his best friend Brendon and he loved sticking his hands in the water and leaning over the side (with supervision of coarse). It was a great experience for the both of us. Brooke got to go to, but she was on a different boat and didn't take the camera with her. Enjoy the picts.
Jack Sparrow wears braids and boots, Jack Stevenson wears a goofy hat and an Elmo life jacket.
King of the world with Jack's favorite person Brendon (wasn't the guy on Titanic named Jack too?).
Did I mention the boat was moving about 30 mph? Jack the fearless pirate.
As it turns out, Jack is an amazing camper. I had the opportunity to go on a camp out with the scouts in our ward and thought it would be a great time for Jack, so I brought him along. Brooke said that the entire day Jack was walking around the house saying "daddy?...camping?" even though he had NO idea what camping even meant. When I got home he ran up to me and said "YAY! Daddy, camping!" I was a bit worried because of all the dangers associated with a toddler and camping but he handled them all like a champ.
When we got there I noted right away that there were a lot of tree roots, rocks and stuff in the camp site. The ground was really uneven too, almost like it was the wilderness or something. Naturally, I worried how Jack was going to handle walking around it all, but he negotiated the terrain like a pro. He was running and jumping and exploring all over the place and didn't have too many falls, and when he did fall down he jumped right up, brushed himself off, and continued on his merry way. He even helped gather fire wood with all the boys. He did a super job with the fire and making sure to stay clear enough to keep from getting hurt and close enough to keep from becoming a boring non-pyro.
And best of all...s'mores. As far as I can remember this was the first time Jack had s'mores, and he loved them. Think about it: chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows cooked over a camp fire, could a kid possibly get a better treat? I submit that you cannot! (*said in Brian Regan voice). Let it suffice to say Jack loved it, and mom wasn't there so we ate a lot of s'mores (as you can see by Jack's chocolate-mallow-dirt mouth in the pict below).
Then, we went to bed and Jack slept like a rock. He slept through the whole night and woke up ready and willing to explore in the morning (more ready and willing than dad, because he stayed up till 2 a.m. talking with "the guys").
All in all we had a really fun time. Jack was made for the outdoors. I can't wait till we can go together as a family...hint hint Brooke ;) Enjoy the picts.
Collecting twigs for the fire
"Dad, why are we taking this picture when there is a melted marshmallow on this ready to eat?" (Evan cameo)
We found a beautiful lake in our morning exploring adventure.
Awe, my little pyro.
Amazing, Jack climbed up this rock by himself and then his friends Bronson and Gavin joined him.
Horray for camping!!!
Sailing
I know what you are thinking, and believe me the excitement is just like the movie (luckily nobody had to tie Jack or me to the stern, we did pretty well by ourselves). But sailing is so amazing, you should definitely put it on your bucket list. Jack and I got in the boat with our friends Brendon and Herb (pictured below). Brendon motored us out to the spot where we were ready to set sail and, with our vector set, we let loose the canvas, cut the engine, and away we went!
I didn't have a cool sailor hat though...note to self.It is something else being out in the ocean, with no loud motor running, and chopping through the ocean going 25-30 mph (21 knots). You feel the dynamics of the open water a lot more than any other boat I've been on. They even let me steer the boat, it's CRAZY how much the ocean tries to fight you. I even got to change the course of the boat to turn completely around, which is more intense than you might think.
Jack had an excellent time as well. He got to be with his best friend Brendon and he loved sticking his hands in the water and leaning over the side (with supervision of coarse). It was a great experience for the both of us. Brooke got to go to, but she was on a different boat and didn't take the camera with her. Enjoy the picts.
Jack Sparrow wears braids and boots, Jack Stevenson wears a goofy hat and an Elmo life jacket.
King of the world with Jack's favorite person Brendon (wasn't the guy on Titanic named Jack too?).
Did I mention the boat was moving about 30 mph? Jack the fearless pirate.Camping
Jack, morning-camping person...dad, not so much.
Jack, morning-camping person...dad, not so much.As it turns out, Jack is an amazing camper. I had the opportunity to go on a camp out with the scouts in our ward and thought it would be a great time for Jack, so I brought him along. Brooke said that the entire day Jack was walking around the house saying "daddy?...camping?" even though he had NO idea what camping even meant. When I got home he ran up to me and said "YAY! Daddy, camping!" I was a bit worried because of all the dangers associated with a toddler and camping but he handled them all like a champ.
When we got there I noted right away that there were a lot of tree roots, rocks and stuff in the camp site. The ground was really uneven too, almost like it was the wilderness or something. Naturally, I worried how Jack was going to handle walking around it all, but he negotiated the terrain like a pro. He was running and jumping and exploring all over the place and didn't have too many falls, and when he did fall down he jumped right up, brushed himself off, and continued on his merry way. He even helped gather fire wood with all the boys. He did a super job with the fire and making sure to stay clear enough to keep from getting hurt and close enough to keep from becoming a boring non-pyro.
And best of all...s'mores. As far as I can remember this was the first time Jack had s'mores, and he loved them. Think about it: chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows cooked over a camp fire, could a kid possibly get a better treat? I submit that you cannot! (*said in Brian Regan voice). Let it suffice to say Jack loved it, and mom wasn't there so we ate a lot of s'mores (as you can see by Jack's chocolate-mallow-dirt mouth in the pict below).
Then, we went to bed and Jack slept like a rock. He slept through the whole night and woke up ready and willing to explore in the morning (more ready and willing than dad, because he stayed up till 2 a.m. talking with "the guys").
All in all we had a really fun time. Jack was made for the outdoors. I can't wait till we can go together as a family...hint hint Brooke ;) Enjoy the picts.
-Eric-
Collecting twigs for the fire
"Dad, why are we taking this picture when there is a melted marshmallow on this ready to eat?" (Evan cameo)
We found a beautiful lake in our morning exploring adventure.Awe, my little pyro.
Amazing, Jack climbed up this rock by himself and then his friends Bronson and Gavin joined him.
Horray for camping!!!
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