Molly Smith
Todd and Dave grilling.
Leonie making sure things are just right.
The guys (and one little girl).
The ladies.
Some of the kids on the dock...
and Jackson being silly (as usual).
Okay, I'm sorry that it has been a while since I last updated the blog.
So, lets play a little catch-up!
Guess who lost another tooth !
We spent the weekend with Todd and Leonie Smith (and their kids) a few weeks ago. Here are the kids having fun together. (Molly, Heidi and Ford Smith and Jackson).
Molly playing in the sand. Isn't she cute? I love the curls !
Todd grilling ribs and chicken on the green egg ...
making our own way ...
... to the top. Overlooking Mandy Spring Nursery.
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The big dig ...
We had an old Oak tree removed from our yard a few weeks ago. Dave wanted to expose the roots before they came to grind the stump. Therefore, the big dig!
After a few long, hot days a broken shovel, axe and pitch fork ... its all exposed ... Amazing! It kind of made me feel bad about cutting the tree down, then I remembered all the acorns we had last year !
The chipper, which was even more amazing than the roots of the tree. It was operated by remote control.
The Angel Trumpet. I had received a clipping from one of my co-workers back in the winter. It wasn't much more than a thick branch when I got it. I put it in water to establish roots, then planted it in a pot and put it on my patio in the late spring. Last week we were rewarded with this beautiful bloom. There are about 10 more to come!
On our way back from Milford convention we (Dave, Jackson and I and Dave and Sandy) stopped at Pizzeria Uno. The Smith's and the Morris' were there too. This happened last year too .... maybe we'll make it a tradition !
Here, we're getting ready to eat dessert. It was Leonie's choice ... yum, thanks Leonie!
On Saturday we went to Jim and Mary Carolus' house for a day on the river. Ross, Ann, Ellie, Eva, Sam and Spencer Carolus as well as Uncle Alan and Aunt Doris were in town. Laura and Brian; and Glen, Judy and Austin Zielinsky were also there. The weather was gorgeous, so we got to spend some quality time in the water swimming, boating, knee boarding, water skiing and playing on the wave runners. Later that night we had a campfire and roasted marshmallows. It was a really nice visit w/ the family.
Ross and Ann 
Dave and Brian on the wave runners.
Spencer and Jackson.
The kids having fun in the water. Austin, Alan (on the boat), Amy (in the water), Sam and Spencer (on the dock).
Eva on the waver runner. The gang sharing memories and roasting marshmallows ....
Thursday night Mark King and Roger Cleveland came for dinner and the night. We decided to go to Clifton Park to see the fireworks. Dave and I like the fireworks in Clifton Park, so we try to go every year. Mark, Roger, Laura and Brian joined us. We couldn't convince Gordon and Sue to watch them w/ us this year, but we stopped to say hi to them on our way.
*note - Dave and Sandy; Claude and Rebekah, we missed you this year ....
Here we are waiting ...
Laura and Brian.
Roger and Dave.
Jackson and me.
Mark and Roger.
Here are some of the fireworks.
There was a 4th of July party in our development yesterday. The kids were supposed to decorate their wagons and/or bikes then have a parade through the development. After that we were supposed to have games at the pool. None of that happened due to the weather. It began raining around 2:00 and it didn't stop until about 9:15 (just in time for the fireworks)! Instead, everyone brought a dish (or two) to a neighbor's garage and we had a BBQ. It turned out to be a good time, in spite of the rain. Jackson's Grandma and Grandpa Davis and Aunt Laura and Uncle Brian joined us (I failed to get a picture of Laura and Brian ... sorry guys). Grandpa made his baked beans and Uncle Brian brought homemade salsa ... yummy.
Jackson waiting for the rain to stop ...
Me and my friend Melissa. She works for Bright Horizons, which is the learning center that Jackson attended for his first 5 years. She has two kids, Matthew (7 years old) and Molly (5 years old). They live in our development and we enjoy their friendship.
Oh ... in case you're wondering, I made this picture black and white b/c otherwise it's a terrible picture due to the uncooperative weather.
Jackson displaying his patriotism.
Jackson and Grandpa Davis.
Notice that Jackson is wearing his Red Sox hat (sorry Uncle Eric and Jacob). A little history on the Red Sox vs Yankees ... Jackson loved the Yankees until he went to Kindergarten. Then one day, out of the blue, he said that he preferred the Red Sox over the Yankees. My whole body cringed at the sound of those words, as I knew this wasn't going to go over well w/ the rest of the family (the only exception might be Uncle Matt and Aunt Jen) . I never quite figured out why the change, but it must have been peer pressure. But, fear not, just yesterday he said that he likes both the Red Sox and the Yankees. I wonder who he'll root for when they play each other ....
Jackson doing his best Uncle Sam impersonation.
Grandpa and Grandma Davis being patriotic. This picture is a little blurry, but I like it b/c I captured their reflection in the mirror too.
