Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Biking!

We recently got a bike for me and a bike trailer for James. Lucky us! We've taken a couple of family trips to a nearby park and I am building up some courage to take James out by myself. It is a little scary being right next to the cars in the bike lane. Today, I bought a mirror for my handlebars to help with my nervousness. Fortunately, our city is the "bicycle capital of the Northwest," so it's not like I'm the lone biker on the road.
 
James does not like wearing his helmet...


...but, he's so cute and safe!

 I didn't like any of the pics of me, but here's me with my bike and James in the trailer.

 The helmet was pulled off. We're working on it.

Michael rides his bike to the bus stop almost every morning and he bikes home from work at the end of the day. He is eagerly anticipating the day we get a second car. On the upside, he's definitely rocking some impressive leg muscles.
 
These photos were all from a day Michael came home early from work. On our last ride, I could hear James happily squealing, "Eeeee! Eeeee!" I think that is similar to an excited "Weeee! Weeee!" This is going to be a great way for James and me (and Michael, sometimes) to get outside and explore.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Wagner Week in Cleveland

James and I had the pleasure to go help out Emily and baby John last week. We had a great time with the Wagner family.



Before we left, my dearest friend in Redmond gave James a book to read on the plane. It was the perfect gift. We got it out the night before we left and James knew just what to do with push and pull tabs.



Emily and I did a fashion photo shoot with John one day. He usually doesn't wear clothes because it is so hot and muggy in Cleveland.


"Headlines don't sell papes. Newsies sell papes."

Blue eyes like James when he was little

James and I went to play at the really fun Cleveland Heights library one day. They have the best kids area that I have seen at a library.

Running and yelling in delight

New skill/interest in sitting


On Saturday, we got to visit most of our Shepard relatives in Columbus. It was a lot of fun to visit and eat yummy picnic food. Michael fit right in by playing Euchre with the fam. James enjoyed drinking out of a dog bowl- how embarrassing.



We called him Puppy Joe when he would carry things in his mouth and crawl around.
And now... there's this, I guess. 

It wouldn't be a Shepard gathering without some posed pictures.

I love these Shepard women

 Check out James smiling as he escapes the photo shoot

Sunday was John's baby blessing. Here's Emily's post about the blessing day: John's Baby Blessing

Chicago Shepards minus Claire and Martha in Utah and napping James

Sisters

The oldest Shepard girls

Gene, Patricia, Laura (below) and Candi and Diane came from Columbus for the blessing
 
James was trying to lay down back-to-back with Uncle Trey to show us he wanted to nap, too