Visitors from New York City...

Uncle Bill, Aunt Rika and cousins Tsubomi and Moe came to Oxford last weekend for a visit and a good time was had by all.


The cousins spent a lot of time in the backyard playing in the sandbox and on the swing set.


The was usually some kind of musical concert in the evenings.


Here's the Poleys posing at the lake.


The kids enjoyed playing on the beach and in the water.


Moe also had a blast playing at the beach.


Even if you can't tell by this pic, Owen enjoyed swimming in the water.


The cousins also spent some time playing at the Uptown park. Here they're riding a ram.


Tsubomi and Luke could not wait to run through the fountain.


And of course, Owen was not far behind.


Tsubomi (& the rest of the gang) were all pretty pooped at the end of each day.


Here the gang is posing with their new Finneytown basketball shirts (Go Wildcats!), courtesy of Uncle Bill's friend Craig. Thanks Craig!

Oh, those lazy hazy Erie summers.

We went to Erie a few weeks ago. As usual, the boys had a fantastic time. So much to do at Gram and Gramps', it is a wonder they ever settle for coming back home.


Practically the first thing they did was strap on the old berry pickin buckets and head for the woods.


Here's, the expert berry picker, gram, helping them out.


They also took some time to go fishin in Lake Erie.


Then they headed to Cook's Forest, a West family tradition. Here they are eating ice cream (at 11 am) with Gram, Gramp, Aunt Janie and Di-Di and Cousin Andy-also a West-family tradition, or at least a gramma tradition.


The first stop they made was at Shelter 1 to check out the graffiti and do a little stone throwing. Check out Di-Di in the background scoping for the best stones.


Here's the whole gang creek-side.


Next they headed over the petting zoo (a new one for mommy, Di-Di knows where all the coolest spots are). Here's Owen feeding the goats.


Luke feeding a pony.


Next it was time to head over to the Fire tower and look-out. Here's Luke catching a free ride with Di. Luke looks comfy, Di doesn't.


The gang posing at the beautiful look-out.


Here's mommy and the boys on the swaying fire-tower. Di and Andy made it all the way to the top.


Here's mommy and the boys catching their breath. Those Erie vacations sure take a lot out of you.

Happy 3rd Birthday...

Today the boys celebrated their 3rd birthday with some of their friends.


Here the boys are loungin' on the front porch
in their new Tigger outfits courtesy of Nana
& Pap Pap.


The boys were extremely excited when they
arrived at Hungry Howie's for their pizza party.


The kids had a great time & some of the
parents got a chance to catch up as well.


Here the boys are chow'in down with their
friend Allison.


Our friend Doug helped with the photography.


The boys could not wait to get to the cake...


...so that they could blow out the candles.
Luke said that was his favorite part.


Here the boys and Amy pose for one last
picture with their friend Beth.