Fight Fire With Fire

Saturday night was the grand opening of uncle Derek and auntie Chris' new house. They had a big BBQ, and invited all the fam. Derek was in charge of grilling, and Grandpa had to come in for a little rescue...something about grease fire and flame ups. I got to eat outside on the deck, and even had and loved my first cucumbers! Let's not talk about the weight limit on that deck, shall we?

After supper we started a bonfire, and even had s'mores. I ran into my two new girlfriends, who I first met at the wedding. This is Sally and Emily. They are both so pretty that I got a little shy when I first saw them, but in no time we were all hanging out like old friends. There's no doubt sure I'll be at the next family function.

Grandstand play,
HAJ

Guitar Heroes

Saturday night I got to sleep over at uncle Derek and auntie Chris' house while Mom and Dad went to a wedding. It was sweet, he has guitars! I love, love, love guitars. I also got ice cream, cheese puffs, pizza. fruit snacks....I mean, it was like paradise. I think they were trying to bribe me with food and music, but hey, let me be the first to tell you....it worked!

Thin edge of the wedge,
HAJ

PS - Happy Birthday Auntie Niki! Hope you have a great day...I hear you are in for a 2 hour massage......wwwwwoooowwwwiiiieeeeee

Bachelor Man On the Loose

Now that's what I call a party! This whole weekend may have been the most fun I've had in my whole life, to date. I've never had so little sleep, and I've never cared less about it. I took a 3.5 hour nap yesterday afternoon, if that tells ya anything.

So, as usual we're waiting for more photos to arrive from all my aunties and everyone, and I'll post them as they come in, because there are some really good ones out there. The one above is of me and GpaE in our tuxedos! Talk about a couple of hotties. Uncle Derek was handsome, these two weren't half bad - but the beauty of the day was New Auntie. I'm just so happy she's officially part of our family now, I almost get a little teary eyed.

I did half-way good on my ring bearer duties. I melted down (no one knows why, and I'm not telling) right before I had to go on. But after the ceremony, I cruised my little behind right down that aisle with my head held high and a sucker in my mouth. So, Mom and Dad we proud of me that I redeemed myself in the end.

When the ceremony was over, all the wedding party went on a trolley ride around town and I guess they had fun. They were all a little silly when they got back. I went to the hotel with G&GE, and tried to nap, but no go. I just had to party. I really had a great time at the dance, (you know how I get). I stayed until almost 10pm! Then Bridget came and got me and I spent the night in a house with three other girls. (Frannie, Lucy, and Rosaleen) The best part of that was the next morning all three girls BATHED ME! I know all you guys out there are jealous! I had a three way already and I'm not even 17 months old!

Right on!
HAJ

PS - I would like to send a special shout out to all of New Auntie's family - the Mitsch's and all. Thank you for being so nice to me, and letting me crawl and climb and walk all over you and your areas. You guys are so much fun, and I'm so happy and proud to be a small part of your family too.

I need to rest after this long wild weekend!

Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner was last night! Wow! Mom and Dad let me stay up until 10! I was pretty much melting down at that point but I still didn't want to leave. There were so many people there, and they were all so nice and fun. They let me run around a whole bar and meet everyone. And I ate a Nookie Juicy Burger for dinner! Its a burger filled with molten cheese. Don't worry, Gpa E blew on it until it was ready for me. Oh, the man was there and I got to spend some good quality time with GGpaW too!

We're getting ready to don our tuxes for the day today. I'll be sure to fill you in with a recap tomorrow afternoon.

Pillar of society,

HAJ

Last Single Days

We went out to dinner last night with Uncle Derek and New Auntie. Its their last weekend of being officially single. Why they spent one night of it with me, is beyond me. If I was them I'd be out heeding the call of the wild. OK, I don't know what that means, but I surely wouldn't be hanging out with a one year old my last Friday night of being a single man.

Uncle Derek did teach me one important lesson yesterday. A lesson, I believe, every red blooded American should be taught at a young age by an older, wiser member of their immediate family. The dip of the fry into the ketchup. Yay for me! Its a bit messy, but just another reason to love it so.

Like uncle, like nephew,
HAJ

PS - Shout out to my cousin Ethan whose birthday was yesterday! I can't wait to see you next week!

Farm Party

I finally have a little time to sit down and tell you about the shower that Mom and my friend Esther threw for New Auntie. I know you've been waiting, hoping, wishing dreaming that the recap of the day would come, and now your wishes will all come true!

Per usual, I spend most of my time with Gpa E, I know your jaws are all agape at the shock. They had little tea sandwiches, champagne, and my personal favorite, pineapple. I ate a lot of the pineapple. They were served on toothpicks. Yeah, see, toothpicks. The theme of the party was New York City, since that's where New Auntie and Der are headed for their honeymoon. They played one game that tested how much New Auntie really knows Uncle D. She did OK, but I think she learned a little more than she wanted to with that game. Who knew D's favorite food is an Egg McMuffin?

They got LOTS of presents and all in all, they seemed pretty happy with everything they got. Wow, I can't wait to get married and get presents. Maybe Mom will let me register to get gifts for Halloween this year? Here's a shot of all the girls: Gma E, Mama, New Auntie, Esther, and Auntie M.

A fine time was had by all,

HAJ

Wanted

I hope this black and white striped outfit doesn't give me away. I finally used a spoon and dug my way out of the tank. AKA - slammer, clink, big house, pen, joint, pokey, lock up. So, I'm on the lam. I was doing hard time in Alcatraz, murder one. I'm a hardened criminal. Don't even try to apprehend me without the help of law enforcement officers. I could be armed and dangerous. These hands are certified leathal weapons. And I just might scream in your ear, or bite you with my two teeth. Approach with caution.

Weasel your way out of trouble,

HAJ

PS - Thank you Uncle Derek for the cool "Alcatraz Swim Team" outfit!

Mama Mia

This weekend, while G&G E were here, we went to dinner at Buca di Beppo. Now I love Italian food as much as the next guy, but this place was fantastic! First of all it was loud. I actually wasn't the loudest person in the room this time! And the food, I can't get over it. Although I had the worst garlic farts the next day. P-U. The adults came through with the booze - ie. Uncle Derek.

The artwork in this place was crazy. The walls are filled with crazy photography of famous and not-so-famous Italians. This lady was right over my shoulder all night. My personal favorite - Sophia Lauren - does this look like a cat fight waiting to happen or what? Everyone at the table thought this photo was so funny, and kept saying "Hopefully Henry doesn't grow up to look like that guy!" Again, I'm sitting right here people, I can hear you.

Waiter, there's a hair in my soup,
HAJ

Haute Cuisine

I went to my friend Palmer's house the other night. We played and played, and then had dinner together. I love to go to his house for a meal. His mom, Martina, is a great cook! She knows just the right temperature and consistency for my formula. I always leave her a big tip, like...don't eat yellow snow!

Today we plan to run all kinds of errands. Not sure what those are yet, but its going to be almost 50 degrees outside today and we need to get out and enjoy it. Mom and Dad are going to go tanning so they don't get completely fried on their vacation. The best part of the day is that my uncle Derek and New Auntie are coming over for dinner and playing and I can't wait! Maybe we should invite Martina over to cook.

Soak up the sunshine,
HAJ

Been Farmin' Long?

Again - with the celebrity of it all. This morning my new auntie Chris was on the radio talking about the engagement! I mean, this thing is spreading like wild fire! I'm not going to get too excited until Matt Lauer calls. Then we'll really have something. Mom's promised not to call anymore people. She swears.

Look how good I'm getting at standing. Its my new favorite thing to do. Don't these overalls remind you a little of these kids? I want to get that poster and hang it in my room. After all, I got a little farmin' in my blood.

You're a gentleman and a scholar,
HAJ

My Brush With Celebrity

I keep telling Mom, "I'm too big for the kitchen sink! Just too big!" But she doesn't listen. She says it hurts her back and knees too much to bend over the regular tub. She's going to keep this dream alive as long as she can. Well, at least until Dad gets her a new kitchen, but that's whole other blog.

Today has been VERY exciting already! Mom went and stuck her big nosey noserson in her brother's business, and wrote the Pioneer Press the whole story about his and Chris' engagement. They called right back and said they thought the story of the two love birds was great and said they'd publish it. Well - we wake up this morning to this! On the front page of the paper! Above the fold! Things are crazy here! People are even talking about it on the message boards they have for the Winter Carnival. Then - by some strange twist of fate, they also published the actual story that Mom wrote here. What a fun day! Mom didn't mean for this to be their 15 minutes of fame, but enjoy it while you can guys!

Cakes and ale for all,
HAJ

Knee Deep in the Whoopla

I thought I better start practicing my poses for cover shots of magazines. Pretty soon all the big ones will be calling: ESPN the Magazine, Sports Illustrated, GQ. Oh, don't forget Men's Health.....I better get to work on my abs! Look out Joey Mauer!

Speaking of St. Paul, I would like to send a shout out to all my new readers on the "East Side." Apparently if you write about my new auntie Chris, half the eastern seaboard tunes in. We had a record day of 33 different readers yesterday. We better watch it or Bill Gates is going to offer me millions to buy me out, just for my readership list. NEVER!!

Yesterday Mom took me to her office for lunch. That was a blast, but they're all a bunch of loons over there. Thank goodness they're only picking out pretty colors, and not saving lives. We'd all be in trouble. Then we went somewhere I've never been before....here! Now that was somethin'. I could do that again, many times. Isn't the world just so much fun, every where you turn around?

It all comes out in the wash,
HAJ

PS - check out www.banksfamdamily.blogspot.com, to see what I bought for my new friend Beau.

New Auntie! New Auntie!

I have such exciting news everyone! I am the proud nephew of another auntie!! My uncle Derek proposed to his girlfriend Chris last night, and believe it or not, she said YES! She said YES! She pictured above standing beside her new fiance and my mom. I definitely approve of this couple. She is so much fun and she makes me laugh like no one else. Just look at this. And that was taken in September, when I would only smile for Queen Elizabeth and Oprah.

Derek proposed last night in Como Park in St. Paul. They were out hunting for the Winter Carnival Medallion. But, the whole thing almost didn't happen....my uncle and my mom (well more Derek than her) were just DYING on Tuesday night when they found out that someone found the winter carnival medallion!! He had been planning and planning on asking Chris while they searched for it. He called us almost in tears and totally panicking!! He came over and we all brainstormed for about 4 hours on trying to think of another special, yet last minute way to propose. We were googling "unique proposals" and stuff like that. We had plans in place where Mom and I were in disguises and I'd deliver a pizza with the ring in the pizza box! I mean Mom was actually trying out the disguise around the house. It was good too. Then, Chris is so efficient, and we had to figure out how to make sure Derek ordered the pizza, when he really was calling us to come over and deliver it. I mean, this was a process people!!

Then we had an idea to put it in her glove that she left at my house with this whole big story. Derek would throw the glove on the counter and then it would "clang" when it hit the counter and then Chris would wonder why it did that and then she would find the ring. But Derek was still stuck on getting us in costumes. OR - how about when Derek pics her up for dinner, she would quick go to the bath room before they left, and then when she opened the door, he'd be kneeling there with the ring. "But its in a bathroom!!" Derek didn't go for that one.

We were dying laughing - THEN - she actually called and said they are going to do a second hunt!!! We couldn't believe it!!!!! Derek went from pure crabby, stressed, bummed, and worried - to total hyper, happiness!! It was awesome.

We got the call last night that it happened, just as planned. And found out that Chris' grandparents also got engaged in Como Park. How cool is that? Its meant to be. It'll be a great story to remember every year when they hunt for the medallion, and when they take their kids. (hint, hint, I need more cousins!) Welcome to our family Auntie Chris. We've been wanting to say that for a long time.

HAJ

My "Rich" Uncle

Hey guys!! Today was a super fun day for me! I got to hang out all day with my uncle Derek! Mom had a dr appt and then when to get her nails done. Whatever. Der and I just hung out all day, I napped, and he talked on the phone. Then we played. It was so fun, and what a treat. Before Mom left, we went to lunch and I just talked and talked all through the meal. Derek even treated us! I have the best uncles!

Tonight we're going out for sushi with Mom and Dad's friend Laurie. I like her too cuz she teaches me stuff like the "slam dunk" and "the j", but she also teaches me things about planning for my retirement and college education. She's my token "math friend." HA!

How y'all diggin' my new high chair? I'm totally rockin' a new ride. I'm lovin' it until "they" all are out of my line of vision, then I have a melt down. I just don't like to be left alone these days. Like today when I threw up all over Mom's outfit, and she had to go upstairs and change clothes and then put the dirty clothes directly in the wash because it was so bad...yeah, I screamed when I was left alone for those 20 seconds....drives Mom crazy. It seems to be happening a little more these days......strangers are starting to frighten me too......Mom is not happy about it....I'll grow out of it....I hope......

Peace Out,

HAJ

PS - Shout out to my Cuz Jasper - there's a cool pic of us on his blog - www.mypumpkinjuice.blogspot.com with my other cuz Annie and bestest bud Palmer. Check it out.

Quick! Look!

Look at me!! Quick! I can sit up for about 10 seconds all by MYSELF! I'm getting better and better everyday! There has been a lot of trial and error - but I'm going to be a pro at this sooner or later!

This past weekend was busy, so I didn't have much time for blogging between helping Mom get the house decorated for Christmas and working on the whole sitting up and rolling over thing. Saturday was my uncle Derek's birthday so we took him out to dinner. It was also my friend Patrick's 2nd birthday party that night too. I had fun at his party playing with all of my friends. Yesterday my cousin's came over to watch the Viking lose AGAIN. Thank goodness I'm emotionally unavailable.

HAJ