August draws to a close...

...and we have had such fun with visitors. Ruth and Ralph visited from Michigan for a super weekend of backyard play, a visit to the farm and lots of train time. Henry still talks about "Ralphie" and we are all anxious to play together again soon.

And...a special visit from cousin Carolyn and Aunt Susie this week...all the way from Minnesota!

Baby is due in 2 weeks...we'll post pictures as soon as he/she arrives...stay tuned!

Still having fun...

...at the fire station, the lake with friends, the swimming pool, with Bob and Papa...and the list goes on and on.

And, let the countdown begin...one month until baby is due...which means less than one month for Henry to be out of diapers. We're on day two of pull-ups and lots of potty time...hooray!

July!

We spent a fantastic long 4th of July weekend at the lake with Grandma and Grandpa Beckman, Kim and baby cousin Koleton. While Henry enjoyed playing in the lake when the sun was shining, Grandma's choo choo train set remained the favorite activity. It was such fun to see Henry and Koleton play together...both love anything with wheels.

The biggest news at our house is Henry's new BIG BOY BEDROOM! We unveiled his new room last weekend and he loves it. From his first night in the big boy bed he has been great...not a problem at all. He loves his choo choo train sheets, the choo choo train on the wall, and of course all of his toys in his room. He talks about his big, big bed daily. More pictures of the new room to come...

We continue to visit the park on a daily basis. We have three favorite parks, and Henry will tell me which he'd like to visit on a particular day.

The nursery is now a nursery again. Henry loves to visit the "baby room", and is always excited to help daddy assemble whatever needs to be assembled. We had fun putting Henry in the cradle he once slept in as a newborn...he is such a big boy!

Henry sings a new song for us each day...his favorites are "Say, Say Oh Playmate", "ABC's", "Aint No Mountain High Enough...", and "Twinkle, Twinkle." I love to hear him singing in his bed as he wakes from his nap and thinks we're not listening...that's when he works through his new material.

Yesterday we asked Henry if he ever thought of anything besides choo choo trains and he quickly answered, "fire trucks." So...it's all choo choo trains and fire trucks at our house...come see us soon!

Summer Fun!

Road Trip! The first stop on our trip to Jersey was to see our good friends The Boose's. Though we weren't able to stay long, the hospitality was top notch, as always. We all loved playing with Baby Porter, and reuniting with "the REAL big Dozer" as Henry calls him. Dozer is the Boose's Boxer with whom Henry is in love...so much so that every dog we meet is named "Dozer."

We were then greeted in New Jersey with our favorite Grandma El Italian special...homeade meatballs, pasta with tomato sauce and pasta with pesto...and our very favorite New Jersey family. It was wonderful to be back, if only for a short time. Olivia and Sophie took such good care of Henry...he continues to talk about them daily. We loved watching Sophie graduate from Kindergarten, strolling through the zoo, fishing and see the girls dance in their big Spring recital. The zoo trip was extra special as Henry rode his first real train and got to feed birds from popsicle sticks covered in seeds. Again, the hospitality was superb...we enjoyed all of our favorite "Jersey" treats in style, topped off with a send-off Birthday party for Mama on Sunday morning. Thanks McCarthys for a wonderful time...we can't wait to see you again soon.

After a long Sunday in the car, we were so happy to stop at the Miesen's house for pizza and birthday cake to meet new baby Charlie. I'm not sure why we don't have a picture of Charlie, but Stella and Henry were more than happy to pose for several.

The following Saturday was a very BIG DAY at our house...Henry threw away his one remaining pacifier for a chance to ride on the REAL Thomas Train. We were up early for another, shorter road trip to Connersville, Indiana where Thomas the Train was waiting to take us on a ride. Henry was in awe most of the morning and loved the 25 minute ride on the "REAL Thomas, with wheels and a smokestack, with smoke coming out of the smokestack on the TRACKS!" We rode in Thomas's coach Clarabel and it was a real treat. We still hear him talk about it in his sleep some nights...

And finally a very Happy Father's Day it was, back home in Zionsville, Indiana. After a special breakfast on the patio we went swimming for the morning, followed by a picnic on Main Street while watching the first annual Zionsville Pet Parade. Our fun day concluded with a special visit from Grandmpa Dan for dinner.

And now, we are home for the summer. Henry is getting ready to transition to his new BIG BOY BEDROOM as we prepare for the arrival of Baby Beckman #2 in just over 2 months!