Happy Independence Day!!

We spent the 4th of July on our first family camping trip! We loaded up the car and headed out to a campsite in the Cascade Moutains. We were joined by all of Joshua's friends from our PEPS group. There were a few bumps in the road but overall things went well and Joshua seemed to have a good time. Here are a few of the pictures...

It was a bit hot in the tent, so this was how Joshua took his naps. Not such a bad deal for him!

We waded in the frigid mountain stream...

Joshua seemed to like it the first time at least!

Here's our PEPS group and all of Joshua's friends!

This camping stuff isn't so bad!

We hiked a long ways to find this spot!

Family picture!

Naked camping!

Joshua playing with his friend Oscar...

Who knew giraffe could taste so good?!

Did you feel the earth move? At least he's well-fed!

Joshua and Mom

Look at this great tent!

The campsite

This camping is hard work!

Surprise! Happy 60th Birthday, Grandpa!

Grandpa turned 60 a couple of weeks ago! To celebrate we managed to throw together a surprise party in Seattle. Grandpa thought the only reason he was making the trip was to babysit Joshua while Mom and Dad were at work. Little did he know that Uncles Mike and Andy had flown out the night before to surprise him! Turns out he was completely surprised and everyone had a great weekend!

Surprise!

Still surprised!

That Andy sure is talented! And as a result no one else was able to use the party favors...

Three men and an old man!

Sixty!!

Wait a minute, that cake says 68!! Not funny!

That's better!

There are fire codes in Seattle that prohibit indoor bonfires so we went with the individual numbers ;)

Grandma and Uncle Mike

Boat Ride on Lake Union!

One of Grandpa's 60th birthday gifts was a boat ride on Lake Union! We rented the boat for the afternoon and it turned out to be a beautiful day! Here are some pictures of us motoring around!

The family with downtown Seattle in the background

Grandma and Joshua

And that was the last time Uncle Andy was allowed within 50 feet of Joshua

First-mate Mike at the helm

Lost in thought...

Grandma and Grandpa

Uncle Andy... and you're welcome for picking the one without those ridiculous sunglasses ;)

Mom and part of Joshua

Mike and Andy in front of the "Wizard" from the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch"

Joshua and Grandpa

The Space Needle and Mt. Ranier

Mike, Andy, and Grandpa!

The boys!

Snoqualmie Falls!

We packed everyone in the car one morning and headed east to Snoqualmie Falls. These falls are actually 100 feet higher than Niagara Falls if you can believe that! We hiked in the morning and then had a picnic in the afternoon! Fortunately nobody fell in!

Joshua and the falls!

Joshua and Mom at the falls!

Mike and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa

Uncle Andy and Joshua

Uncle Mike and Joshua

Boy was he thirsty!

The Park!

Joshua spent a few days at the park with his uncles. Here are a couple of pictures swinging and sliding!

Joshua Day-to-Day

Here are a few pictures of what Joshua is up to on a routine day. He's still Army-crawling but he is able to get up on his knees an rock very easily. He's also started to sit-up from lying down. It usually involves pushing himself backwards on his legs until he is upright. He's also still taking baths... but now he spends most of the time sitting up and splashing or playing with his toys.

Who's the boss?

Joshua does this ALL THE TIME! He strikes a pose when he wants to turn around to see what you are doing behind him...

Still only two bottom teeth... but the top ones have broken through the surface!

Here's Joshua going from lying down to sitting... we think he gets his grace from his mother!

Awwwww...

Big smiles!!

Rubber duckie, you're the one!

Gimmie that camera!

Some quality time with dad...