Jo and Joe

 

 

Today we're celebrating two birthdays!

My son Joe and his wife Johanna.

 

 

Johanna's birthday was on December 23rd and Joe's was yesterday. 

Between Christmas, and Elijah's and Fletcher's birthdays,

 her birthday celebration kept getting delayed. 

But finally today is the day! 

Their dinner of choice (made by Bill) is chicken stir-fry with lots of yummy veggies,

and a big bowl of rice.  Plus donuts for dessert!

 

 

So the house will be full of family, food, and lots of fun!

Sure hope Joe and Jo have an excellent day!

Happy Birthday to Both of You!!
 

 

A Trip To Bass Pro

Last Sunday afternoon Joe's family and I took a trip to visit Santa. 

The plan was to see him at Bass Pro....but the line to see him was a two hour wait!  

Luckily Santa also had a line in the mall with a wait of about 30 minutes!  

Not sure how Santa manages all these multiple lines, but we were grateful for the shorter one!

Caleb amused himself with his mommy's phone...he loves to explore Google Earth!

Sweet Elijah loves showing off the gap in his mouth!

Caleb was not interested in sitting with Santa unless his dad joined up. Shortly before this photo, Caleb's head made contact with Santa's head...at that moment there wasn't a whole lot of "jolly" going on!!

Elijah and Caleb tried out the various sizes of ATVs.  Elijah had to wait his turn for the big one because a little girl was riding it, so he jumped on the middle size one.  The other ones were all still in boxes...but that didn't stop Caleb!  He climbed aboard the Camo ATV, tucked in his feet...and was ready to go!  When the big one ATV became available Elijah got his turn on it...and Caleb got to try an unboxed version.  It was so funny to watch them!

The train was a hit.  I wish it hadn't been so expensive...I would have loved to buy them one!  Caleb really enjoyed it!!

Such a cute family!!

Thank you Bass Pro for all wonderful photo ops!!

Since it Throwback Thursday I thought I'd include this photo.

The same cute family...2 1/2 years ago!!

Caleb....Wet.

This little guy has been in Myrtle Beach for the past several days. He and his family are on their way home today.  Joe and Johanna have shared lots of photos and videos while on their trip. 

I've loved seeing all the fun they've been having!

 

 

I wish I could figure out how to share this video from Johanna's Instagram....the best

I can do is share the:  link:http://instagram.com/p/qxwgdWm3ga/?modal=true

 

It's worth clicking on... I think it's my favorite share of their trip! 

Here are links to Joe's Instagram and Johanna's Instagram.

There are a lot of really fun photos to see.

 

Here's a peek at one of my favorites of Elijah...and his donut holder! 

Such a clever boy!

 

 

Also...today is my sister's birthday!

She got a very nice gift this year....her first

grandchild was born earlier this month!!

Happy Birthday Emily!!

 



Caleb

Up...

Down...

Up...

Down.

I guess he likes it!

Happy Birthday!!!

Guess whose birthday is today?

If you guessed Charles Dickens.....you'd be right.

Except that's not who I was thinking of.

I wasn't thinking of Laura Ingalls Wilder either...but

today is her birthday too!

No, the birthday that I'm thinking of belongs to someone very special. 

Someone who never ceases to amaze me...usually in very good ways...someone

who I love a bunch...except for when he's talking that Steelers stuff.

Yep, you guessed it!

Today is Joe's birthday!!

My very favorite 35 year old son!!

I hope you have a wonderful (germ free) day!



Scrap For Joy

One night last week Charlotte was explaining the definition of the word 'jealous' to us.  Her example was a good one.  She  said "Ms. May is jealous of me because I get to go to Disney World and she doesn't". 

I was looking on Facebook last night and come up with my own example.  I'm jealous because about a month ago, Joe and Jo got to meet Joyce from Scrap for Joy!!   Joyce and I have been reading each other's blog since 2008...someday we're going to meet.

In the meantime though this photo makes me happy!

 

Photo 'borrowed' from Joyce's Facebook.

Like Father, Like Son.

Elijah has been going to day camp this week.....he's been very busy, and he's been enjoying every minute! 

Today he put his whole face in the water....great job Elijah!! 

He had a busy, exciting day and all he wanted to do was relax with a good book.  Plus he wasn't feeling 100%, so a little down time was needed. 

 

Poor little guy...he was so worn-out. He fell asleep sitting up AND reading!  How sweet is this!!
(photos of Elijah borrowed from Joe & Jo's Facebook)

These photos of Elijah reminded me of photos of Joe that I've shared before.  

Here he is with Kevin. This is right after bath time, and during snack time.  Kevin's grinning because Joe fell asleep without finishing his snack bar.  Kevin is almost done with his (notice it in his left hand). 

He knows he'll get to eat Joe's!

 

This is Joe in time-out ~ complete with timer.   He was sitting there while I was in the kitchen.  When the timer went off, this is what I found.  I have a side view of this photo somewhere...it shows that there's about a 12 inch gap between the trunk and the couch.  He was just "hanging out".....sound asleep!

 



A Birthday & Father's Day

Yesterday was Bill's Birthday...it was a significant birthday too! 

A very special number was part of his birthday!! 

For Bill, it means retirement...how's that for a birthday gift!

 

 

Katie, Mandy & Lulu took him to Outback for dinner....

they let me tag along too! It was very yummy!

 

I got Bill a new drill kit for his birthday gift.  Now that he's going to have some spare time on his hands, I've been adding to the honey-do list.  He was very happy with the drill kit (not to sure about the list!)......but I am sure that he was even happier with the gift the kids got him.

 

 

It's an extra-special gift...for his birthday AND Father's Day.  Something they've had for months.  Something he's talked about many times.  They got him tickets to an Eagles Concert!  On July 22nd, Katie and Mandy will be heading to Washington DC with him, to hear The Eagles.  Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit – will perform classics spanning their career including “Hotel California,” “New Kid In Town,” “Take It To The Limit,” “One Of These Nights,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Rocky Mountain Way,” “Best Of My Love” and “Take It Easy.”  
Bill will enjoy every minute of it!!

 



Have a great time Bill!!  I know you will!!
Happy Father's Day (and Birthday) to you!
You're a great Dad...I love you!

 

Happy Father's to Kevin, Joe & Mark ...I hope your day is extra special!!
Praying God blesses it in a special way!

Remembering with love my father,

and my father-in-law.

 

Disney 2013

Our recent Walt Disney World trip was Elijah's and Caleb's first time there.  With the exception of a couple days of Elijah not feeling well, I think they had a great time!

 

I'm not sure who the boys are looking at...but Joe and Daisy are smiling for the WDW photographer!

An evening on the boardwalk....

 

Caleb wasn't real fond of the puppets we found in "China'.

Caleb did not like looking at the characters....not even Mickey!

No trip is complete without a whirl in the tea-cups!

Attention!!

Phineus, Ferb, and friends.

 

On our marathon WDW trips you nap whenever and wherever you can!

 

Splish, Splash!

Good times in the pool.

We try to get the grandkids into the pool whenever we can.  My children learned to swim in this pool and we want to make sure these little ones learn too.  Last Friday all three were very relaxed and adventurous in the pool.  The spent a lot of time moving about instead of hanging onto the sides.

In this first photo they're doing a water version of ring-around-the rosie....in water that's about 5 feet deep!  They had the best time!!

The big kid in the pool loves splashing the little kids....they loved it too!  I think it's important for them to not be afraid of a little water on their faces.  The "steps" at the shallow end are still their favorite spot in the pool.  Penelope is sitting on the top one.  

Joe (aka: the big kid) couldn't resist giving them all a big hug. Elijah kind of looks resigned to it. He gets hugs like this all the time from his dad.  Charlotte and Penelope were not happy with Uncle Joe's bear hug....they definitely liked the splashing better.

I love this photo of the four of them.  Caleb's thinking "Let me at that water! I wanna kick it too!"  We've been getting together regularly this summer and having this four little ones around the pool has been so much fun.  I'm so blessed to have them close by.  We're making memories!  
(I edited this one a little bit  - I think it's my Summer of 2012 photo).

The First Swim of 2011

Joe wore himself out jumping in the pool.  He was trying to coax his little guy, Elijah, into joining him for a swim.  Eventually he did, but in the meantime Charlotte and Penelope were certainly enjoying the entertainment provided by Uncle Joe!!

Happy Birthday Joe!

Today is my son's birthday!

Here he is when he was two years old.  He was so kind and so caring....such a sweet boy!

Thirty years have passed since this photo was taken.

He still is so kind and so caring.....and pretty sweet too!

Joe loves his family so much!  I am so proud of the man he has become.
Happy Birthday Joe!!  Your mom loves you!!

He's just another one of the kids!  I just love that about him!