July

We were very busy all through July.... it's hard to believe it's now August and school will be starting next week!

Jacob turned 8 on July 22. Those of you who are familiar with "The Brave Little Toaster" will recognize this cake right away:
I think Jacob may be the only 8-year old in history to ask for a toaster on his birthday cake. I'm sure I'll never make one again!

We had a nice little celebration, and then moved on right away to the next birthdays of the week:

Grandpa Charlie (dad) and I shared a birthday cake, as we have done many times before. You only need so much leftover birthday cake, you know. I'm sure I could look back in my old photo albums and find many pictures just like this one.

After the birthday week, we went to the Cincinnati area for a few days with some of Brian's family. We got an opportunity to take Jacob and Mary to King's Island for the first time, with Brian's sister Lori and 2 kids, Ben & Sarah; Brian's step-brothers Greg and Alex; and Greg's wife Karen. Bob & Emilie were nice enough to stay at the rental house with Hannah, since we didn't want to take her to the amusement park. Karen took a few cute pictures of the kids on rides:

Mary with cousin Sarah:

We spent most of the day in the kid's section of the park, but after the kids went to bed that evening four of us went back to ride the Beast (roller coaster), because you can't possibly take a trip to King's Island without riding the Beast!

Here we are at the rental house toasting marshmallows for s'mores:

And a very cute picture of Grandma Emilie and Hannah:

I just took these pictures yesterday.... here's a happy sunflower looking over my garden:Can you find Mary? She looks like a little garden fairy:

And a butterfly enjoying the zinnias:

Enjoy the last days of summer, everyone!