Hands Up

Every year we go to an amusement park with Mamaw and Papaw and the Collins. We have typically gone to Holiday World in the past but this year we decided to try King's Island (closer to home and better rides for the ages of the kids). It was a beautiful day and we all had a great time.

Now that he is 40in, Brayden rode his first real rollercoaster with Aunt Connie and Bailey and loved it. He tried to keep his hands up but as soon as the drop started, he clenched on for life (still smiling).

He was able to keep his arms up on the tamer rollercoaster with Mamaw.

Even more than his love of the rollercoasters however, was his love for the Scooby Doo Ride, which we rode about 10 times. Basically, you had flashlights (guns) and you were suppose to shine it on the monsters to get points. Brayden did pretty good but my flashlight didn't seem to ever work . (That was my excuse anyway.)

While the guys rode the big rollercoasters, we hung out and did bumper cars

Blue's ride

and the plankton plunge.

Then last but not least, to celebrate Alex's 16th birthday, the guys braved the real swing.

Why run when you can ride?

Last year Gary, Brayden and I attempted running as a family. It happened for a couple days until Gary decided it was too hot and hilly. This summer, Mom brought her bike up and had a seat attached. Now Brayden loves to put on his helmet and go for a ride.

His favorite sites that we must also ride by are the horses with the "eye shades" and the buffalo statue. Boy does he come up with some good questions.

Meet Woofy

So I guess 30 is the new 80. I apparently injured my back jumping into the pool so Brayden and I had to take it easy for a couple days. To help pass our "calm" time Brayden decided that he wanted to put his build a doggie together (a present from my cousin Jen for Brayden's 2nd birthday). After some good stuffing and dressing, the time came for naming our newest addition to the family. At first Brayden decided Frances would be a good name but then decided we shouldn't have two Franceses. Then Shad was considered (a friend from school) but he decided that Shad sometimes hits him so Shad was nixed. So...

Welcome Woofy our fire fighting dalmatian.

Cannonball

So how do you swim in May in Indiana. Turn the pool heater to 94 degrees. Yes, some might think that 94 is a little too warm but it is just perfect for the Jewell household

and for great cannonballs!Brayden developed a fear of jumping into the pool at swim lessons but it didn't take long before he was running from the play set and jumping in the pool.

Watch out Daddy! Brayden has also been practicing his surfing so he can surf when we visit Uncle Rob and Aunt Erica in California.

Back to the Boat

Maybe a little too cold to jump in but not too cold to drive really fast. We had a great time getting back on our friend's boat on Morse Lake. Brayden and Frances had a blast and loved driving and going really fast.

Happy Birthday Grandma

Grandma turned 80! We celebrated her birthday by first taking her to her favorite restaurant in Versailles. Then we went back to Manderly where Aunt Sharon, Uncle Bob, and Jennifer had set up beautiful decorations and a cake to surprise Grandma. We had a great time visiting and the cake was delicious. It was great to see both Grandma and Grandpa smile. Brayden had a fun time helping Great Grandma with all her birthday duties.

Blowing out the candles.

Opening the presents.

And reading the cards. Okay well that took a little patience but it's a good lesson to learn.

Aunt Sharon, Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, and BraydenGrandma and Aunt Norma. You can sure tell they are sisters in that pic.

Round 2

Well, we went back to the ENT who said there was still too much pressure on Brayden's L ear. He said that Brayden was losing hearing and needed his tubes replaced. Round two.

We went into surgery on 5-13 and Brayden did great. The surgery took less that 10 min, and Dr. Youkilis said that Brayden was the best kid he had all day.

Then, Brayden was rolled back into his room, not quite as happy as when he left. Dr. Youkilis said that there was a tremendous amount of fluid and pressure on his L eardrum and obviously poking a hole in it was quite painful. Brayden cried for about 30 min that his ear hurt. Then after talking to his daddy and papaw and putting a bandaid on his ear, he fell asleep. We headed home, and when he woke up he was back to normal. He's such a trooper!

He had to smile for the scrapping picture. Is he his mother's son or what?

Columbus Zoo

So I'm a little behind on the blogging. This summer has gone by so quickly, and we have been having so much fun. The beginning of May, we went to Columbus to visit Tricia and Justin. Justin had been working a lot of long hours at the zoo so we decided to visit him at his home away from home. Brayden loves the zoo and was so excited to get to see Uncle Justin's zoo.

Mamaw was the only one who would dare ride the carousel. Tricia and I both get very sick with things that go round and round.

Check out the ears.

Brayden was so excited to pet the snake..
but was a little leery to be that close to the alligators.