Ball Pit

It has been very hot here . . . well, for Ohio weather anyway. It has stayed in the 90s and we have received almost no rain. Harrison wants to play outside so bad, but every time he goes out he comes right back in and says, "Mom, I'm getting a sunburn!" He tries it again and again throughout the day, but with the high temperature, little shade, and no breeze he just hasn't made it outside for very long.

So, to give my boys something "new" and exciting, I went to the attic and brought the ball pit back down. We frequently cycle toys when the boys have lost interest and to free up space. Harrison was excited, but not as much as Andrew (who had never seen it before). Harrison got the ball pit for his 2nd birthday and played everyday in it for months.

Andrew has been in heaven rolling in the balls and throwing them all over the living room!

Staying cool having fun inside!

Look at that smile!

"Oh, this is so exciting!"

Andrew's One Year Photoshoot

We try to take pictures of our boys frequently . . . from everyday fun to the special moments. With Harrison we got family pictures & Harrison pictures at the same time each year, around his birthday.

A few weeks ago I thought "We haven't taken Andrew's One Year Old pictures!" So I packed my camera on a trip to Nana & Boppa's and took some photos of him in their front yard.

I think they turned out pretty good!

The first picture of the "Photoshoot"
He sat still and smiled, but he got restless quickly!

Playing with the rocks in the flowerbeds

Sitting by Nana's new water fountain

Another "perfect" one with him looking at the camera with a nice smile.

Sticking his hand in the water!

Getting tired of all the pictures, but I like the look on his face,
as if he were deep in thought.

Riding in the Rain

A few days ago Boppa brought over a new bike for Harrison. Someone at work gave it to him because his little boy had outgrown it. It is a Thomas the Train bike & helmet. Harrison loves it! He can ride it really well and does every chance he gets.

This evening after dinner he put on his windbreaker and ran outside. He decided it was time for another ride . . . in the rain! We told him to come in because it was raining, but he quickly informed us that it was okay because he had his coat on! What a goof!

Taking his bike for a spin

I love the helmet over the coat hood!

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

Happy Father's Day to the best daddy two little boys could ask for! We love you very much and are so thankful for all you do for our family! You work hard everyday and still have the time to help out when you get home. You take time to play, read stories, tickle, give bubble baths, and snuggle.

I already knew he was a great daddy and loved his boys, but when I looked outside this afternoon to see what they were up to, this is what I found . . .

Playing in the sandbox

Giving Andrew a ride in the swing

Pushing both the boys

He spent his entire Father's day with them instead of doing something he might like to do.

I made chicken enchiladas, Spanish rice, homemade canned peaches, and watermelon for Father's Day dinner tonight. The boys ate first and were playing in the living room. When Andrew got upset Ryan decided to bring him in with us and hold him while he ate dinner. (Ryan thought I was bizarre for taking pictures of him eating!)

Consoling Andrew

Eating his dinner with Andrew

Thanks for being such a great daddy! I love the life we have made together and know that one day, when the boys are older, they will look back and remember all the special things their Daddy did with them.

The Big Boy Chair

Andrew discovered Harrison's chair this week. It is a kid's version of IKEA chairs Ryan & I have. We thought it was so cute and bought it for Harrison a few years ago.

Harrison loves to watch TV in it, but this week we couldn't keep Andrew out of it! He thought it was so cool that he could climb on up in it!

Harrison insisted that it was his chair
and needed in it with Andrew

Climbing up

Trying it out

"Look Mommy, I'm a big boy!"

Tonight I turned on one of his Baby Einstein movies for him to watch. As soon as it came on, he crawled over to the chair and climbed in. He must have thought it was the TV watching chair since that is where Harrison always sits. He sat there the entire movie!

He noticed me with the camera

Enjoying the living room to himself, watching "his show".

"This is the life!"

Enjoying a Weekend Away - Hocking Hills State Park

Ryan & I went on a weekend away for my birthday. Actually, it was Thursday, Friday, Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. It was the first time we had gone away together since Andrew was born and the first vacation alone just the two of us.

We decided on Hocking Hills State Park after hearing great things about it from friends and since it was just a few hours away. It was beautiful!

We stayed nearby the state park in Lancaster, OH. We did some shopping and went out to eat. On Friday we spent the entire day hiking. We had a great time but afterwards I was hot, tired, and ready for a nap!

Ready to start hiking

It was a 90 degree day, but thankfully when we got down
in the trees and caves it was a bit cooler!

Enjoying the beautiful view - it was so green!

One of the tunnels the trail went through.

Beautiful moss-covered bridge

Old Man's Cave

I told Ryan to only take good pictures of me.
Pictures from behind are off limits, but he still did it.
Good thing I am far enough away!

Ash cave - so named for the ash markings on the wall
of the cave from Native Americans fires.

Just to give you an idea of how enormous it was . . . can you find me?

Rock house - a large cave half way up a cliff
with large, natural, cathedral-like windows

One of the remnants of grain grinding by Native Americans

The "cathedral windows" were amazing!

Looking out of one of the "windows"

Staircase up to Rock House - the unknowing
would never spot it up there on the cliff wall

We had a great trip spending time together & relaxing. We would highly recommend it for those looking for a vacation destination! It is more beautiful than picture can show.