From the Beach

We've had a wonderful week on Hilton Head Island this week. Beach, games, food, and fun!

Here's Uncle Ken with his new Crocs.

Bare feet! I haven't had shoes on all week.

On Tuesday Kim and Sam and I took a day trip to see beautiful historic Savannah, Georgia, just an hour away. The heat was oppressive, but we enjoyed exploring the city. It is a lovely town, laid out with squares on many of the streets. Most have ancient trees with gnarled, serpentine branches hung with Spanish moss.

Southern architecture on Perry Street in Savannah. We found a bicycle store, Perry Rubber, and added to my collection of water bottles from bicycle shops that I visit.

This evening we took advantage of the beautiful evening light on the beach to take some family photos. Here are the best.

Mama and Sam.

Sisters!

Let's go swimming!

Cousins!

The beach bums.

Smiles

Sam has started smiling in the last week or so. Imitative surely, but what a great feeling to have the lad show us his gums.

Here is with Mama and sisters.

Smiling for Mom. The way the two of them look at each other is beyond compare.

Nothing but a picture

It has been a quiet week here, not too much to report in a blog post, but that doesn't mean I can't share a picture.

First Anniversary

Today Kim and I celebrate the first anniversary of our wedding. It has been a busy and fun first year and we are looking forward to a lifetime worth of busy and fun together. And the cake survived a year in the freezer and was delicious. Which was a good thing, since we got very little of it a year ago!

And now, pictures.

Happy Sam.

Mama and Sam.

BUT I WANNA GO TO YALE!

(see his onesie for explanation)

Anna & Steven Recital Duet

Last week was Anna's recital for her piano camp at the Cleveland Music School Settlement. She has attended this camp every year for many years, probably six, and this will likely be her last since she will be in France next summer.

Each camper performs a solo and a duet, which they've worked on for the duration of the camp. Anna and her friend Steven (also a long time camper) did a great job playing Debussy's En Bateau from the Petit Suite. Be sure to watch through the end, for Anna and Steven's discrete "low-five" after their bows.

Great job, Anna and Steven!

Cousins!

We had a wonderful visit with the Iowa branch of the family, who are working their way east on vacation. We started them off right in Cleveland fashion.

Bruce and I started the day by walking Anna to work. She's got a part time job shelving books at the public library, and had the morning shift. It was already hot and muggy at 9 am. Mid-morning I escorted the Nesmiths to Middleburg Heights to visit the cemetery and give the geraniums a drink of water at our parents plot. In the afternoon we went to the Great Lakes Science Center downtown, where we enjoyed the hands on displays and the views of the lake.

When we ran out of steam, I suggested a Malley's run. I wasn't sure how or when we'd fit it in, but late afternoon was a great time. We went to the location on Madison in Lakewood, and bellied up on ice cream. This was Sam's first visit to a restaurant, quite appropriate that it was Malley's with cousins. He'll have many more of these trips in his future!

In the evening we had a classic summer picnic- grilled hamburgers, potato salad, corn on the cob and watermelon.

The Iowans have pointed their vehicle east this morning, but it was fun to see them! Here are some pictures.

A Day of In(ter)dependence

I thought I'd put up a few photos for the 4th of July holiday. Around here no declarations of independence have been written or said- we all lean on each other to make it through the day. Happy Holiday, one and all!

Bright eyed Sam, awake and alert, and sporting festive red-white-and-blue.

Mama and Sam.

Bath time!

Sometimes a guy just needs a nap.

And an interdependence of a completely different kind- Anna and Steven, feeling happy after performing a wonderful duet at their CMSS Piano Camp recital. Debussy En Bateau sounded wonderful! Video will be along shortly.