Owen's first photo

Owen took this.

I particularly like the red part.

What is she thinking?

I don't know, but I don't think it's something I'd approve of.

Our new minister

Here, our new minister makes out with some lady in public.

God Bless America

Nothing says "Happy Birthday America" like a nap during a parade.

Why did the bagpipes go away?

Owen, despondent at the departure of the bagpipes.

Dad and daughter

Zoe prefers to be held.

Bagpipes?

Owen and I were looking for the bagpipes. Zoe, clearly, was not.

On the blanket

Here's the family (minus B, plus Eli's clan) on the blanket in front of our church watching the parade.

Happy Birthday America!

For the Fourth, the family went to the Fourth of July parade. Owen was very, very ready.

Zoe is useful

One of the best books to read with a baby has helped get Zoe to a place where she digs through our cabinets.

Believe it or not?

That's actually Zoe's tongue. Believe it, or not.

Up in the air!

Even though it's harder to hit something with that smaller bat, it's easier to hit the larger ball, so I think this is, on balance, about the same as what major league baseball players do.

How did he learn to do that?

You, alright, he learned it from watching you.

Owen and Zoe

It's kind of parallel play, though sometimes they push each other. And they won't play if B and I start having a serious conversation lasting more than, say, 6 syllables.

Zoe plays!

Zoe, in our backyard, plays on a slide (thanks to Eli's family for giving us a slide).

At the park

Very hot

Owen, in his suit, drinking water.

One only wears searsucker in the summer.

Family portrait

Well, B and I look happy . . .

Mom and daughter

I'm frankly glad Zoe's dress was riding up a little here, because it showed a lot of will-only-too-soon-be clevage. I don't want her attracting the wrong kind of toddler attention.

Owen and Dad

I hope that neither Owen nor I normally wear facial expressions like these.