When we were in Wisconsin, Noah’s Milwaukee Grandparents sent us home with some of Daddy’s old toys to play with. It was so fun to see him play make-believe like I’m sure Greg did with the same toys!
I made a choo choo out of trucks!
Greg got a chuckle out of this because he used to do the same thing with these airplanes 
Noah loves art – he likes to paint, draw, color – you name it! When we were in Milwaukee visiting Grandma Nancy and Grandpops, they gave him an old chalkboard easel. It has found its new home in Noah’s playroom, and I think it will bring him enjoyment for years to come.
What nice penmanship!
Noah’s “cheesy” smile
For the past couple weeks, Noah has been practicing winking
Last week we made our biggest road trip yet as a family. We drove from Atlanta to Dayton, OH and then from Dayton to Milwaukee, WI the next day. We spent 4 days in Milwaukee visiting Grandma Nancy and Grandpops and then made the reverse trip home. We had such a wonderful time and made a lot of great memories. Here is a little glimpse into our trip.
Noah, Nana and I went to play in the fountain at a mall in Dayton. Noah had a blast!
Relaxing on Nana and Papa’s front porch
Batting practice with Papa Joe
Passing a wind farm in Indiana – there were hundreds of windmills spread out for several miles
Noah and Daddy burning off some energy when we finally made it to Milwaukee
The Fons Family in their “Team Fons Racing” shirts
Noah took Grandma Nancy and Grandpops to the playground
Just before the skies opened up
Noah loved the oatmeal Grandpops made for him
Grandma Nancy borrowed some trains from a friend for Noah to play with while he was visiting. He felt right at home!
(Thanks, Miss Peggy!)
Noah and his cousin, Jack, running through the sprinkler
Father’s Day at the zoo!
Noah loved the “choo choo” at the zoo. He even got to ride it a couple times.
Sharing the ride with Grandma Nancy
Noah’s first pony ride
This lion is just one of the many incredible animals we saw.
Noah’s second train ride with Daddy!
Noah’s first time to Lake Michigan
Daddy and Grandpops took Noah to see some trains – ALL ABOARD!
No trip to Wisconsin is complete without frozen custard. YUM!
On the way back through Dayton, we met Grandpa Phil, Christy and Regan for dinner. Noah loves to get silly with Regan!
Mommy and Noah with Grandpa Phil and Regan
The whole gang
On Thursday, Noah went to play with his buddy, Tyler, at Monkey Joe’s. They had a ball jumping and running and acting like crazy little boys. Both boys were afraid of the “Monkey Joe” character walking around. I wish I would have gotten a picture of them holding hands, trying to build up the courage to give Monkey Joe a ‘high five’. These pictures are just as sweet:
A couple weeks ago we went to a free summer concert in a neighborhood near us. It was ‘80s’ night, and Noah had a blast playing with the other kids while Mommy and Daddy enjoyed adult conversation.
Enjoying a picnic dinner
COOKIE!
Trying to decide which way to run
The venue
We brought Noah’s bubbles, and he had fun blowing bubbles with other kids
Noah’s friend, Aiden, is rocking out to the 80s music.
One sweaty little boy – he played hard!
So it’s a little late, but to follow-up to Daddy’s birthday weekend, we took him out for Mexican food on his birthday. We all enjoyed a yummy meal and then Noah had fun climbing on a fire truck in the parking lot of the restaurant!
Daddy’s birthday breakfast
Happy 40th Birthday, Daddy!
Yummy taco!
You would have thought it was Noah’s birthday, he was so excited about the fire truck
Noah started swimming lessons a couple weeks ago for his first time ever. We thought he would love them, but it took him some time to warm up to it. After a couple days of independent swim lessons (Noah + other kids + instructor), we decided it would be better if I went in the water with him, so we switched to a Mommy and Me class. He did so much better, and he’s really becoming very comfortable in the water!
Here are some pictures from his first day…
Noah’s playing follow the leader with Mr. Brett but still checking to be sure he knows where I am
Listening to instructions on water safety
“I know he’s not thinking about touching me!”
So now that Noah has graduated, I can proudly report that Noah puts his face in the water to blow bubbles. He jumps off the side of the pool to me. We’re working on underwater exploration, floating on his back to rest and kicking.
We recently got three trees to plant in the backyard to honor our three angels: Wyatt, Jack and Baby B. Greg dug a new bed for the trees (Red Crape Myrtles), and Noah was so excited to help out.
Big helper!
Look at those smiles – I see a lot of good father-son yard work getting done in the coming years 
Thanks for the trees, Great Grandma. We can’t wait for you to come see them in person next month!
For Greg’s 40th birthday, Noah and I took Daddy on a surprise trip this past weekend. We went to Athens, GA and drove down the Antebellum Trail, enjoying the beautiful pre-Civil War architecture and learning some history. Daddy had a lot of trivia questions to answer, and he aced those Civil War questions!
Ready to go (visors provided by Mommy)
Noah is enjoying breakfast at Papa Jacks
Noah wearing his monkey backpack and walking with Daddy
We started out the morning at the Athens Farmers’ Market
Noah is trying to escape while Daddy checks out some produce
Running on the University of Georgia campus.
Exploring a garden
Noah is watching the fish in this fountain
Exploring the Founders’ Memorial Garden
After lunch in Athens, we travelled south through Watkinsville to Madison, GA. Just south of Watkinsville is an old covered bridge: Elders Mill Covered Bridge. This was an unexpected highlight of our tour. We got out of the car and went walking in the water under the bridge.
One lane bridge (you can drive across)
Cold water!
The background was so beautiful it looked fake
Be careful, those rocks are slippery!
(Daddy slipped and stubbed his toe)
Exploring the inside of the bridge
On Sherman’s March to the Sea, General Sherman decided Madison, GA was too pretty to burn (or so the story goes), and so many of these structures were left intact.
Some of these homes date back to the early 1800s and are absolutely beautiful!
This one is for sale
One of Greg’s favorites with pretty hydrangeas off to the side
Enjoying cake back at the hotel
Happy 40th Birthday, Daddy! We hope you have a super day!
