Yesterday, during the baby shower for Stephanie, the guys (young and old) made a visit to the just-reopened Wingfoot Lake. We were all quite impressed and want to visit again soon. Mike thought the state had done a first class job — the playgrounds and shelters looked as good as we have ever seen them. Yea!
http://hickeyhoo.net/coppermine/displayimage.php?album=47&pid=3173#top_display_media
Twinkle Twinkle from Pa on Vimeo.
We had a great time watching Caleb’s first game. It started with a slight delay while players watched a hot air balloon pass over the field. Benched for the first period, Caleb saw plenty of action during periods 2 through 4. He did great, going after the ball at the right times and moving it down the field when he had possession. He even got to make one of the throw-ins. You could tell by his smiles that he was loving the game, even as he was getting tired. The game was late (6:45 to 7:45), and we were not surprised when he when to sleep within seconds after his head it the pillow at bedtime. Good job, Caleb.
Hot and humid with plenty of rain, but I really enjoyed our time in The Hocking Hills. Having the family together in one place is the BEST. The grandsons’ enthusiasm and energy was contagious (well, maybe the enthusiasm to a greater degree than the energy). Hiking, cooking and eating, playing games, laughing and just hanging out together made for a great week. Mike and Jeff (and sometimes I) entertained and annoyed audiences with “canjo” music(?) — that’s music on a banjo made from a stick, a tin can, and a guitar string, which Mike and Jeff discovered at a local antique store. The grandsons built elaborate scenes and structures with dominoes and Jenga blocks. We team-cooked pizzas and Sebastian discovered Moon Pies. Owen ruled the kiddie swimming pool. Caleb lost his second tooth — deja vu all over again. We saw deer, wild turkey, and more butterflies than we’ve seen in decades. Anna-Marie and Mike caught fish (Anna-Marie’s first). Pa stunk up Lake Logan trying to clear a dead fish from the shore near our picnic table — which only stirred up more eau d’ dead fish. Sorry. Anyway, here are some snapshots from the week.
We thought Caleb would lose his first tooth before leaving here on Saturday. At that time he could bend it 90 degrees in and 90 degrees out AND rotate it 360 degrees. How he managed to go three more days amazes me. It must have been fun to watch him eat and brush his teeth. Anyway, here’s a picture Jenn sent.
We had a great week. Let’s do it again soon.
Today we road on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Everyone had a good time and a good meal in Peninsula before returning to Akron. The only photos are using my phone . . . sorry ’bout the low quality. It was a beautiful day.
Caleb and Owen cooked dinner this evening. Yummy pizza.
Shelby and Brenna took time from their girls’ weekend to visit the Saracenos and us this evening. Their daughters, Bailey and Kayla, entertained everyone with a variety of activities — gardening, bird tending, bug watching, flirting (with Daniel), coloring and wrestling (all while being adorable). It was great to see everyone, to get updated on the Wisconsin clan, and to reminisce. A few pictures from the visit are below.
Today we celebrated Owen’s birthday (a few days early). It was a rainy day (on and off all day; from sprinkles to downpours), but we had a good time. Kate, Anna, Caleb and Owen had fun playing, setting off bottle poppers, and opening presents. Owen and Anna licked the cake before we sang “Happy Birthday” . . . this is why Owen’s face looks a little blue in some of the photos. We finished with Owen defending Caleb from Nate — Owen returned from the bedroom wearing boxing gloves and proceeded to deliver a major whooping to his much older (by 20 years) cousin Nathan.
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