So Hot!

We have been doing a lot of indoor activities lately due to the super-hot weather here in Texas. One of Joel's favorites is playing with his train set. He likes watching it from various angles...

When we can get outside, it's usually in the early morning or late afternoon. Joel loves getting all wet while playing with his water table.

So In Love

It's ridiculous how cute this kid is.

Indiana Trip

We recently returned to Texas after a month-long trip to Indiana. It was so great spending time with family and friends. Here are a few snapshots from our visit:

Visiting the Purdue track

Joel helping Grandpa and Grandma with the turkey

(and adding some of his own ingredients)

Playing marbles with Grandma

Joel with Great-Grandpa

After playing in the pool

(all the pool shots are X-rated due to Joel's lack of swim trunks)

Just being Joel

Wagon ride with cousin Emeline

At the new playground by Grandma and Grandpas house

Andrew and Eme

Jelly face

Watching Sesame Street on YouTube with Pop

and cousins Hudson and Hallie

Oh, there's his swim suit!

Playing in the water at the Indianapolis Children's Museum

(I just love the smock!)

Joel's first carousel ride

Our little maestro

Smooshy window faces

Growing Up

My little boy is growing up. Today he ate with a spoon for the first time, and he did really well!

He loves watching Sesame Street clips on YouTube. He'll be surfing the net before we know it! I'm not too sure how he got into this position...

Joel knows how to push the skip button on his CD player in order to get to song number seven- his favorite. When the song is over, he doesn't know how to go back, so he uses the next button to go all the way back around to number seven again.

I was doing something in the kitchen the other day, and I came into the family room to find Joel up on the coffee table. My little climber! Now I really have to be on my toes.

What happened to my little baby? Joel, you are growing up so fast!

Surprise Visit

It started out as a usual Monday morning- grocery shopping, watching sesame street, playing in the back yard. But at 1:30, my day took an unexpected turn. There was a knock at my front door. Perplexed (due to the fact that all of our friends use the back door), I peered through the peep hole to discover a small child at my doorstep. He was holding a suitcase, and before I could open the door, I heard him say, "Kelwy? Kelwy?" I threw the door open to discover my nephew, Hudson smiling up at me.

Hudson lives in Indiana, so I was more than a bit shocked to see him in Texas...on my porch...alone. His mode of transportation was revealed to me when Dad and Mom ran out from around the corner where they were hidden from view. I was so surprised and excited that all I could do was stammer and cry tears of joy.

They came for a surprise visit and stayed until Saturday morning. We had a great time...

visiting,

going to the zoo,

and BUILDING!

That's right! Dad (with help from Mom, Hudson and myself)

built Joel a swing set for the backyard.

(Joel got a little tired on the the job.)

Thanks so much, Pop and Mimi, for the beautiful swing set

and all your hard work.

Joel, Andrew and I enjoy it every day.