Benjamin's First Birthday

The birthday boy!

With mom and dad.

The birthday party group!

A short video clip of Benjamin enjoying Cedar Point

Cedar Point Pictures

We always visit Cedar Point when we go to Ohio! (http://www.cedarpoint.com/).

Here's the Skyhawk.

Emily, Emily, Cole, and Rob.

The ride in motion.

Ohio Vacation Pictures - Rolling Ridge Ranch

We visited the Rolling Ridge Ranch (http://www.visitrollingridge.com/) in Ohio during our vacation with Grandma Jo and Grandpa Dennis.

We rode in a horse-drawn carriage like below.

We saw a zonkey, which is a donkey-zebra cross.

Sam fed the goats.

Emily fed the camels.

Sam fed elk while Benjamin and Dad watched.

More elk, cooling off in the pond.

Family Reunion Pictures

Finally getting around to looking at the family reunion photos and realized that I didn't take too many! And I got virtually none of Sam! He spent most of his time playing Nintendo DS with his cousin, Kevin!

Here's one of us with Rob's parents.

Here's Emily with cousin Katie.

Benjamin and Grandpa napping.

Another Samism

We took a walk the other night and cut across a parking lot. Sam said we were "jack-crossing"! (He meant jay-walking!)

4th of July pictures

We had a nice, quiet weekend at home - a staycation as Rob calls it! It started with sleeping in on the 4th and then spending time in Lindenwood park riding their rented bikes and eating ice cream! We attended the RedHawks game Friday evening (and they won!). Saturday we attended a post-Independence Day picnic and fireworks show at friends.

Sam waves a sparkler Saturday night.
Benjamin waves a flag at the RedHawks game.
Emily and Sam with Hawkeye and Kaitlyn and Tyler.
Sam riding the banana peel bike.

Rob helping Emily get started on her banana peel bike.

We all drove a "double surrey" in Lindenwood Park early Friday afternoon.

Benjamin's 9 month pictures

I can't believe I'm so late getting these posted! I wanted to get them sent to the grandparents first, but it just didn't happen. I do have the pictures ready to mail, so it's time to post!

More New Jersey pictures

My cousin, Amy, lives in NJ with her husband and 2 sons. We visited them for the day.

Grandma Nana and 5 of her 9 great-grandchildren:

Grandpa Don pushing Benjamin in the swing.

Benjamin relaxing with Grandpa Don in the hammock.

The boy cousins playing in the pool.

New York City pictures

Rob, Emily, Samuel, and I went into the city on Friday for a day of sightseeing and a night at a play. We saw Hairspray! It was awesome!

Samuel and Emily in Central Park.

I can't remember the name of this place! It's where they have the ice skating rink in the winter...

Sam fell asleep on the double-decker tour bus.

The fashion district.

New Jersey Shore pictures

We all enjoyed a trip to Sandy Hook. I realized later that day that I didn't get a picture of Grandma! She sat in the lawn chair up near the building under an umbrella. I spent most of the time there with her and Benjamin, but did manage to get some pictures when Benjamin was down by the water.

Rob, Benjamin, and Sam

Sam "riding" the waves. He LOVES the water!

Grandpa Don getting Benjamin's feet wet.

Grandpa Don buried Sam in the sand!

A couple of times...

Benjamin liked the feeling of sand in his toes.

More Philly pictures

So, while I worked, Rob and the kids toured historic Philadelphia. I'd like to go back some day and visit all that they saw, but Emily insists she's seen enough of Philadelphia and isn't going back!

The kids at the zoo.

Benjamin napping on the duck boats.

Emily, Benjamin, and Rob getting ready to board the duck boats.

Emily and Samuel with their duck noise-makers!

Chinatown

Philly photos