This blog's for you, Granny

N - A Day of Firsts

Joel seems to have been on the verge of crawling for a little while now.  Mary and I have anticipated that milestone with mixed emotions.  On one hand it's so exciting to see our little baby boy grow and learn new things.  On the other other hand, mobility brings a whole new set of challenges.  Today he decided it was about time to get moving.  His crawl resembles an army crawl but it is very effective.

Why stop there though.  It's an entirely different world when taken in from a standing position.

N - Probably not what HE had in mind

N - Just Some Pictures

The boy has some big eyes.  This is watching fireworks on the 4th of July in Kingwood, TX.

Joel loves dill pickles.  He gets this from his mom.

Not the most flattering look but he was cracking his mom up.

Hanging out with dear 'ol dad.

N - Sooner Youth Camp 2008

The family enjoyed a great week at Sooner Youth Camp on Lake Murray in Ardmore, OK.  Mary was a camper at SYC for 7 years and has been on staff now for 8 years.  I started going with her in 2002.  This was Joel's first year (2nd if you count the womb)!  Joel was a big hit with the staff and campers alike.  Our friend, Sammy, quickly became a chick magnet with Joel in his arms.  Each night the campers provide their own entertainment in "Social Hour".  Joel was well-represented in many of the skits.

Here is a picture of Joel and his mommy.  No shorts at SYC (j/k - that was the old days).

Here is Joel with his friend Diana.  Diana was one of Mary's counselors when she was a camper.  We are good friends with Diana and her family.

The view from my bunk.  The fan is a must have as there is no A/C and the temperatures in mid-July can be ridiculous!

N - Independence Day

Mary, Joel and I drove to Houston for the holiday weekend. We stopped in Arlington on the way down to pick up Mary's uncle David. David's daughter, Mary's cousin, Jana Kay lives in Kingwood near Mary's parents. Jana Kay and her husband welcomed their first child on July 3, Jayden. We were still a couple of hours north of Houston when she made her arrival but we got to see her several times over the weekend. She's a very pretty baby girl. We enjoyed the Kingwood fireworks on the 4th. Here is a family picture before the fireworks started.


Joel already enjoys watching sports on TV. Now I've started teaching him to like to play sports. No golf clubs yet but here is a picture of Joel going after the basketball.


Joel is really active now, especially in his crib. Here is a picture of him in the process of getting ready for bed. He's a really happy little guy about 98% of the time.

M - Ferguson Family Fun 2008

We had our annual family get together a couple of weeks ago.  This year we went to Lake Tenkiller.  On Saturday we got up in the morning and went to the marina where Darrell and Willa Rae rented a pontoon boat for the family. Baby Joel took a while to settle down.  Mostly we just had to take his life jacket off. Shhh, don't tell.  

That afternoon, we took all the kiddos to the pool.  Baby Joel decided he really likes the water there, and now, he splashes me all the time when he takes a bath.  Lily had no fear going down the water slide, and Liam is quite a diver off the diving board.  

In the evening there were steaks, potatoes and smores to eat.  Don't you wish you were there?  Sunday at lunch a big storm came through making grilling difficult.  Uncle Joel had his handy wok though.  So, he saved the day by cooking on the range.  The smoke detectors only went off once!  Here are a few pictures.

Neil and Joel in their shades

Joel and Stefani on the pontoon

Aunt Di and Lily

Uncle Joel grilling inside

Uncle Matt and Luke fishing.  

They're the only ones who caught fish, I think.