August 2008 in review...

Our Trip to Ohio & Delaware

At the end of July, John & I traveled to Hudson, OH to visit my parents. John had 2 weeks of non-stop fun and attention from his grandparents! He loved it. While we were there, I took a little side trip up to Michigan to visit some girlfriends. And, we took a road trip to Delaware for my cousin's wedding - it was beautiful and such a great time catching up with family. We also hit a few beaches while we were out on the East Coast. It was John's first time at the ocean and he was absolutely delighted by it all (although didn't care much for the waves as they came crashing into the shore).

Jesus Loves Me!

A sweet little song from a sweet little boy. :)

Nana & Papa's house

We spent a week in Indiana over the 4th of July visiting Ben's family. It was a blast hanging out with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, great-grandparents, etc.... And, there is always fun to be had in the country! John enjoyed exploring his Nana & Papa's 10 acres, playing with the kitties, eating black raspberries right off the bush (one of my favorite memories from visiting my grandma), swimming, watching the fireflies, listening to the 'ohwee-ohweeies' (coyotes) at dusk. We also met our new little niece (& John's cousin) for the first time. Ella Grace is 2 months old and a cutie pie!

Ben's Family.

4th of July family photo.

Super boy & Super daddy!

"Watch me run fast! See that, Mama?"

John & Luke playing in the water (Luke is Ben's cousin's son).

Checking out the beach at Lake Michigan.

Even though it was not quite beach weather, John had a blast running through the water and sand.

"Look at my worm! Want some, Mama?"

Breakfast with Nana

Picking (and eating) raspberries with Papa & Chester, John's little kitty pal!

Ben's sister, Kristin with our new neice (and John's cousin), Ella!!

Jumping 'way up high' into the pool to daddy.

Riding on 'the daddy boat.'

4 generations of Cowles/Huntoon women.

Happy Birthday, America!

Ben jumping off of the swing!


Mommy & Daddy swinging John 'way up high.'

Trying to convince ourselves that we can still climb on the monkey bars.

So, this is just a really cool photo! That is a real bubble and Ben is trying to catch it. Within milliseconds after this photo was taken, the bubble popped, so it's amazing that Ben's dad caught it on film when he did!

Friday Fun!

We have started a new Friday activity with our friends Heather & Lake. John and I meet up with Heather and Lake on our bikes. We then bike down to the Boulder Creek Path for some fun at the park and throwing rocks into the creek. After playing by the creek for a little bit, we head a few blocks over to Pearl St. for "Noon Tunes" where they have a great band playing for an hour. There, we listen to music, have a picnic and *think* about playing around in the splash park (the boys have yet to actually venture into the water). John and I then take the bus back home (there is a bike rack on the front of the bus for me to put my bike), which is super exciting for John and saves mama a 5 mile ride uphill. It's a blast!! We are definitely planning to make this a regular summer Friday activity. :)
Heather, Lake & John having lunch on Pearl St.

John & Lake at the Splash Park.

To get wet or not to get wet...that is the question?

Come on, Lake...let's go dance!!

John and Lake dancing to the tunes!

John loves the bus ride!

Good times in June

The Baby and The Little Girl

Our friends from Michigan, Laurent, Julie, Lucie & Agathe Porte, came to Colorado on vacation and stayed with us for a week. We had a great week taking them all over Boulder and up into the mountains to Breckenridge. The whole week, John referred to his new friends as 'The baby and the little girl.' He would wake up in the morning asking, "Mama, where is the little girl?" :) Lucie and John were great playmates and hiking buddies. Lucie even took quite a liking to John's cars while she was here and was willing to put aside her baby doll to take a car with her when we went out. Ben and I so enjoyed reconnecting with Julie and Laurent and showing them around our new city and home. Here are some pics from our time together.