Update Badly Needed

I simply cannot imagine what you have been doing with yourselves since I've taken so long to update the blog. It's been a bit crazy around here as I was out in Roanoke, VA last week, attending and presenting (what a story) at the annual Children's Literature Association Conference. Mom and Dad flew up to hang out with Michael while JD was at work, so they had a whole set of their own adventures too! But we are now all reunited and settled back in, so I can finally resume my normal activities.

Although a complete rundown of the conference would take much longer than a blog post, I'll provide a couple of key phrases that sum up the week: 12 1/2 hour drives, really crappy dormitories, Fat Louie the cat, interesting panels, a broken microphone, visiting with old friends, too much excellent food, shopping, violent hugs, and lots of reading. There. You get the picture.

Actually, here are a couple of pictures, including the "really crappy dorms" and Fat Louie's (the dorm cat) tail down by my bed. Here is Emily accepting her illustrious research grant from an equally illustrious professor who looks like nothing more than an undergraduate student.

Also on campus was a large rock on which people painted stuff.

I swear I did not paint this; it was already there!

And what is a blog post, really, without a picture of Michael?! Here's a good one...

This week is our 5th anniversary and July 4th celebrations! We'll have lots to tell you next week.

Summer Fun

It's been a busy and fun week of hot summertime! I'm going to let these pictures speak for themselves. I'll just say: Gizmo had to be shaved, we visited the town pool, I picked strawberries from our garden, and we went canoeing with Emily and Steve. Whew! I need a vacation.

Happy Birthday, Michael: Part Two

It was birthday weekend, round two, at our house. That meant that Michael got new balloons, new cake, new presents, and new friends with whom to celebrate! It was a bunch of fun all over again (except this time he had a little too much sugar and got crazy hyper, crawling around the living room). His absolute favorite part of birthday parties: the balloons! We hung out outside, and the weather cooperated for the most part.

We had lots of activities: jump rope,

babies swimming,

and highly competitive badmitton games!

Michael LOVED his new toys and his new singing birthday cards even more.

His friend Brendan helped him open some gifts and even taught him how to use a couple of them.

He needed no instruction with the xylophone, however.

Beth baked him some fabulous carrot cakes!

Michael stuck his hand in the frosting but didn't understand that his hand should then proceed to his mouth.

JD ended up feeding him under the table.

One of his new toys made him crazy!

He sure is a loved little boy by friends and family alike. It took JD and I a day or two to recooperate again from all the fun. Thank you all so much for your love and support of our family.