Comparing

*Joe last summer, June 2007*

*Joe this year, June 2008*

He's a growing boy! Considering he grew 6 inches from last year, you can definitely he's getting much bigger. But still just the right size for fun in the pool!

95 degrees?

What do you do when it's 95 degrees? Get wet! I took Joe to the fountains downtown where all the kids were playing and having picnics. He had lots of fun playing in the water.

Pool Fun

It so hot, it feels like Florida in Ohio this week. Hot and humid. So we just had to get out the kiddie pool for some backyard fun. The water straight from the hose was pretty cold, but the sun heated it up for us. And Joe got a chance to try out his cool new swim shorts (from H&M, my favorite store to buy his clothes).

Summer Fun in the Pool

Going down the slide into the cold water!

Campfire

We went to the Nature Realm tonight for a Campfire Sing-a-long. Joe was so excited to roast marshmallows for the first time. Though, he just wanted to eat the plain ones and didn't want any smores. We had a great time listening to the music, singing along, dancing, and clapping.

Forest Hike/Photo Shoot

We took a walk on a hiking trail to snap some photos for Dave for some acting jobs. He's looking good with that poofy hair.

Just Can't Wait

Joe loves riding his new Big Wheel so much he can't even wait to put clothes on to have some fun with it on the back porch.

The Sprinkler

We found a sprinkler at Target for $1.89 and thought it would be a perfect addition to Joe's backyard waterpark. He loves running thru the water, but he also loves picking it up and spraying at you. Watch out the next time you walk into our yard.

Down the Hill

Joe riding down the grassy hill at the park on his new Big Wheel.

The HotWheel

Joe got a great new HotWheel to ride! He was too big for his tricycle, so we moved up to the Big Wheel. He loves that he can pedal all by himself all the way down the street.

The New Neighbors

Auntie Dawn's new neighbors are chickens! No, they have chickens in their backyard. It's fun to chase them. And to our surprise, they like eating french fries (just don't tell anyone else).

And we found a great Tree Swing in the yard too. Grampa S. had fun pushing Joe until he fell off and got all muddy. But he got up and wanted more, he's a tough guy.

Moving Day

Surprise, surpirse! We are NOT the ones moving! Auntie Dawn, our favorite next door neighbor, decided she'd had enough of us and moved all the way to Stow! Joe liked helping pack the truck. He's a great moving helper.

Outdoor Fun

We have lots of fun blowing bubbles and making chalk pictures on the driveway.

Our Day Out with Thomas the Train

*Dave & Joe watching Thomas pull into Boston Mills Station*

*Getting our tickets punched by the conductor*

*Dana and Joe happily riding the train*

*Joe got a "Jr. Engineer" Certificate*

*Dana, Thomas, Dave and Joe (he did have fun despite the look on his face!)*

Can you believe Thomas the Train came to the train station in our town?! Thanks to Auntie Dawn's birthday gift to Joe, we got a family ride on Thomas the Train. We had lots of fun playing with trains, meeting Sir Topham Hatt, and riding the train. Joe was a little nervous (and crying) at first, but once we got on the train and got going, he was quite happy. It was a very fun day.

The Offering

Cousin Zach came over and discovered a few new toys to play with since he's getting so big now. And Joe thought he was hungry, so he offered him some of his graham cracker.