Gonna get married ...

Jake got to be ringbearer at his cousin Bobby's wedding. We wondered how he would do, and he did really well. He got a little fidgety during the ceremony, but he's only 3 1/2 after all. Nothing his other cousin Matt, the best man, couldn't handle.

Here's the ringbearer stylin' before the ceremony. How cute is this?



Before we were so presentable, though, we had to get dressed.



Posing with a cool drink.



Posing with the groom's men beforehand.



The happy couple, Bobby and Klarissa. Congratulations you two!



Taking pics at the reception. Jake loves to take pictures. He filled up at least four of the disposable cameras set out on the tables to get photos at the reception. No word yet on if they turned out.



The night before, before the rehearsal and dinner, Jake tried his hand at ping pong and foosball for the first time. He may be a better foosball player, though.





The day after the wedding, before we came home, we went to a drive-through wildlife preserve. More on that later.

Father's Day on the road

I realized the other day with the family gone to a wedding over Father's Day weekend we never posted.
Jake got to wake Daddy with a "Happy Father's Day," and though they both tried to catch some more shut-eye, Jake soon got excited about Daddy's gifts.
But first there were the cards:

Jake made a homemade card for Daddy after discarding the first attempt because it was not good enough. You're on front Daddy, this is me:



Then it was on to the store bought card. I picked it out myself:



Yeah, I picked this one out, too. I had a little trouble deciding:



Jake's a little excited over Daddy's beef jerky:



Last year, for Kevin's first Father's Day with Jake home, I started what I guess will become a tradition — a photo of Daddy and Jake and Jake's handprint. It is awesome to see how those hands are growing:



Two years ago a verge of a dream. Today, a reality — father and son:



Happy Father's Day Daddy.

Busy summer, part III

We went June 6 to a family reunion in eastern Oklahoma for a branch of Kevin's mom's family.
In addition to spending time with family, it was a day of firsts for Jake: his first ride on a big boy bike and his first boat ride.

Aunt Debbie got him the bike and he had a blast riding it once we got the training wheels on properly.



Then Jake made some music



Then we went out on the lake for a ride around on a pontoon boat. Everyone had a great time.

Cap'n Daddy was at the helm



Jake and Mommy enjoyed the ride



Jake had to look at the water while we went along. Uncle John was right there to make sure he was OK



Mommy had fun



A boat, water to ride on, water to drink. What could be better?



Jake had to take his turn at being captain, too



Coming up: The summer fun continues. Cousin Bobby got married and Jake was the ring bearer.

Busy summer, part II

Jake has been taking swimming lessons at Denny Price Family YMCA. With kids this young, they are just getting them familiar with the water, getting them comforable with being in it and showing them some of the basic things they need to know.

As the lessons continue, they will get more into the actual learning to swim. We only were allowed in on the first day, so we snapped some photos. The rest of the time, we have to sit in the waiting room and catch glimpses of what we can. Jake is having a lot of fun, so far he hasn't cried or refused to do anything the instructor says.

Waiting his turn



Getting ready to dunk his head under water



Face in the water



Floating on his back



Jumping in



Silly grin after the first lesson

Busy summer, trying to catch up ...

... and still not caught up.

Sorry it's been so long since we updated the blog. It's been pretty busy for us this summer.

The last pictures we posted of Jake seeing the buffalo at the Tallgrass Prairie Reserve were taken on our way to Joplin, Mo., for our nephew's and Jake's cousin's graduation from college.

The night before the commencement ceremony Jake had his first really big pillow fight. Here he is taking on cousin Bobby, the soon-to-be graduate.



Here Jake poses with Bobby, who just graduated from Ozark Christian College and is ready to embark on a career in the ministry. He's already been pastor of a church in Adair, Okla., while he was going to school.



And, we will be heading back to eastern Oklahoma this coming weekend for Bobby's wedding. Here he is with his bride-to-be, Klarissa.



Jake also got to go to his first birthday party. A girl from pre-school had a party at the local miniature golf course. This was Jake's first time and he had a blast. He also go to eat cake.







Stay tuned for more. We went to a family reunion last weekend and Jake took his first boat ride. And, Jake has been taking swim lessons. More good times.