James turns six!

Today James was intent on having a perfect day.  He started out opening presents (pirates, and a Tin-tin comic), which was followed by strawberry shortcake pancakes.  He then spent lots of time playing, until we went to get some celebratory pizza and ice-cream (James decided he preferred ice cream to cake this year).

Birthday Extravaganza

Instead of having a birthday party this year, we decided to take the boys on a weekend trip to Cave City.  While there we visited Mammoth Cave:


and hiked out to the river Styx:


We went to Dinosaur World (life sized fiberglass dinosaurs!  campy delight!)



We went through Big Mike's House of Mysteries (best 2$ we've ever spent), and James and I went horseback riding while Joe and Eliot visited Sand Cave.  We then went to KY Down Under, where we fed the Lories:

patted a Kangaroo:

and went through another cave:

In other news, the weather here has been bizarre.  I took this (unedited) picture of the sky the other night, telling Joe I was fairly sure we had entered Mordor.


Pictures of James' birthday celebration will be forthcoming!

Eliot turns four

He finds it a bit unbelievable.  I do too.


He is such a delightful kid.  Full of vigor and determination.  And silliness.

Happy Birthday, Eliot! (If you are wondering where his clothes are, he decided that since it was his birthday, he should wear his 'birthday suit'.  There is no disputing that logic.)

4th of July