"I drive it!"

James continues to get quite excited about cars, trucks, buses, construction equipment ... let's be honest, anything with wheels!

In his efforts to string words together his favorite phrase regarding items with wheels, "I drive it!"

Guess that's only natural given in the recent weeks he's been able to drive ... a fire truck, ...

Grandpa Mark's pickup truck (which he likes to call, "pick it up truck!"), ...

And Grandpa Dave's van.

Although Mom and Dad aren't quite ready for him to start drivers ed it's a blast watching him get so excited about certain things.  We continue to remain in awe that he'll be two soon!  He is becoming such a little guy these days and continues to make us smile!

In honor of Father's Day - James and the Art of the Fastpitch!

James is fascinated easily out our front door by all the kids biking up and down the sidewalk and kids running and playing ball across the street each night the weather allows for it.

He loves going over to check things out and saying "Hello" to the neighbor kids and he's taken a liking to their sports as well, particularly baseball.

Just last week he and Dad went over to visit and chat and Isaac and Dylan gifted James his own glove and ball as they had outgrown it.  James loves it!  He's been practicing his fastpitch and will be ready for opening day ... some day.  Time will tell whether he'll be a righty or not.  He still favors his left hand to throw but perhaps having this "righty" glove will teach him otherwise.

Put me in coach!

It was a Grand Old Day!

We celebrated summer's arrival in MN last weekend by heading to Grand Old Day with Rob and Elliot.  We thought the boys might enjoy some of the kiddie activities and the parade.  Although the line for the pony rides was long (so we avoided it) the carnival type games had the kids intrigued enough to play a few and the petting zoo was a big hit too!

James seemed to enjoy the parade the most - I don't think he said a word the entire time we sat there.  He was in awe of everything moving in front of him.

Elliot insisted on giving his friend James a ride in his stroller - he's strong!  James didn't seem to mind it at all and Elliot got a kick out of it too.  No child labor laws were broken in taking this picture! :)

We followed the petting zoo, games and parade up with a quick lunch at St. Clair broiler.  The boys both enjoyed their grilled cheese sandwiches and ketchup of course (as did the parents!). 

It was a fun summer day and James just couldn't get enough of being outside so we ventured outdoors again after his nap that afternoon and got this cute shot!  James now say "cheese" if you instruct him to when taking pictures, too cute!  It truly was a grand day!