"Love you big big much..."

Too cute...reading "Lyle Lyle Crocodile" with Daddy

"High Five Daddy...Good luck golfing!"

The Aftermath...Joshua and baked ziti on Monday night

That's how Joshua greeted me on Friday morning...and my heart melted. That one ranks right up there with him saying "Mommy so pretty" a few weeks ago.

We had such a fun LONG weekend...and I hope you enjoyed the pictures. Friday night was a quiet one at home. We cleaned some and got some quick groceries to make a dessert to take along to our family picnic on Sunday. Joshua was his usual giggly self, and we loved it. We've been noticing lately that he's much more content to play on his own than he used to be. Now granted, you have to keep at least one eye on him at all times, but he's able to entertain himself (mostly with his trucks and tractors) for 10 minutes or more without needing to be constantly talked to. Mommy and Daddy are enjoying this change very much. I was beginning to think that I was never going to be able to pee in private again. (Sorry...but it's the truth.)

Saturday, Joshua played with Grandma while Jason and I went to the PSU game. You'd have thought that it was the Ohio State game with the amount of traffic that we had to contend with on the way to State College. What should have been an hour drive and a leisurely morning at the stadium soaking up our PSU spirit turned into a sprint from Centre Community Hospital in order to make it for kickoff. We entered WD just as the band was playing the alma mater, so I sang while we climbed to our seats. The game was so much fun to watch, and I think the team has a great shot at being pretty good this year. We have some really special PSU plans this year, including a day of tailgating with the Confer cousins from Massachusetts on the 27th for Illinois (night game!) and Lindsay's return to Beaver Stadium with Ian for Michigan State, and a trip with Bill and Staci too. We can't wait to break out the new propane crock pot for some chili or chicken noodle soup once the fall air turns for good.

Sunday was a family picnic day in McClure with Grandma Shirley and Bill. Joshua had such fun playing in the great outdoors. He dug in the stones, drove trucks and his tractor all over the place, and chased gorillas with Pap from under the porch. I should add that he is STILL (as of this morning) saying "probably gorillas" and looking for them under everything. Thanks a lot Dad! He laughed and giggled and loved playing with Danaca and Neen and Stephanie and Stacie. He missed his Aunt Libby so much, but understood that she just wasn't feeling up to the excitement. He only left with one small spill in the stones that hardly left a mark (though he cried as though he had lost a limb). Joshua and Nana spent some time on his tractor and he really seemed to enjoy playing with her. He's already talking about going to Nana and Pap's house this weekend to ride on the big tractor with Pap. Little does he know about Pap's gator that's waiting for him to try. I so love seeing Joshua interact with everyone and to see how that interaction has changed over the past 2 years. He now remembers everyone and looks very forward to playing with them again. He hopped right up into people's laps and talked to them freely. And that makes us so happy to know that, even though some miles separate us from the majority of the family, Joshua has gotten to experience the same memories of our extended family that I remember from growing up. We are very blessed.

Monday was a quiet day at home. Labor Day to me meant LAUNDRY day. How three people (one of them miniature) make so much laundry I have no idea. Daddy went golfing while the little guy took a nap and Mommy kept cleaning. The baked ziti picture came from dinner on Monday evening--- I've never seen Joshua dive into baked ziti like that before. He hadn't eaten well all day, but I'd like to credit that one to my good cooking. Hee hee!

It's a shame that these nice, long weekends don't come around more often. We sure did enjoy our extra time with Josh...the minutes are flying by so fast, but we're cherishing them as much as we can. Happy Tuesday everyone!