The Beach

4th of July parade!

Cousins~

Playing in the sand

First Carousel ride

Playing in the ocean with daddy. 

We just came back from a wonderful week at the beach. It is such a blessing to be able to go to Bethany Beach each year as it is always a chance to get caught up with extended family and everyone has an amazing time together. I (Beth) have so many memories of being at Bethany Beach (in this same house) as a child with all of my cousins and it is wonderful to be able to take Zach there and watch him have a great time with everyone. There are lots of other little ones his age at the beach too so it will be amazing to watch them play together each summer and make their own memories. Andy had been saying for weeks before we left that he was sure Zach would start walking at the beach once he saw the other kids running around and having fun. Sure enough as we were sitting on the porch the first night there he walked out of my arms over to the table to score some more goldfish (of course if would be a snack that would encourage him to take his first steps). He continued to practice during the week and he is getting much more confident. We celebrated the 4th of July at the beach and were able to "enjoy" the fireworks from the porch. I say the tentatively because the set them off on the beach right in front of the house and the entire house shook like we were being bombed. A fire started in the neighbors lawn and we were constantly stomping out sparks on the porch. Zach slept through the entire thing though! He loved playing the in the sand. I was amazed at how he had never played in sand before yet when we sat him in the sand with a shovel and a bucket he immediately started to dig it up and put it in his bucket. He even made his first drizzle (dribble as Andy says) castle. He loved the ocean and wanted to be in it all the time. Andy would take him out in it and they would run from the waves. We had a wonderful time. Even though I know have 28 years (roughly) of memories from the beach, this year will always stick out as one of best as I will never forget Zach's excitement of his first time playing on the beach. (Last year didn't count as he slept all day still).  To family: I have lots of other cute pictures of your kiddos from the beach but didn't want to post them without your permission so let me know if you want me to email them to you! 

A Great Saturday

Sorry to have taken such a long break in posting pictures. I have started my masters program in counseling this month and I am still getting used to the new schedule and fitting in everything that needs to happen. The adjustment to getting back to school gone pretty well. My classes are only one day a week so Andy has been able to take that as his day off and Zach and Andy are having wonderful days together going on hikes and different kinds of adventures that he doesn't usually get to do with me. I have been able to study and write papers during his nap times and after he goes to bed and so far all is well. The biggest piece of news is how close he is to walking! He is now able to stand completely on his own and even clap for himself while he balances. He took two steps on Thursday, but he prefers to free fall into our arms rather than to take steps so that is what we do now. I am sure things will change soon and he will be inspired to venture out. It seems like things change by the week. We are enjoying the warm weather, playing in the pool in the yard, going to parks, and lots of fun outdoor things. Oh and finally the wagon routine. Zach started this routine during his week with grandmom while I was in class at the beginning of May and now he make sure we do it at least once a day. He pushes the wagon across the street while we pull it (he used to ride in it now he pushes it) and we head down the path to the graveyard behind the church. There is a small grave there with a lamb on top of it so he stops the wagon and motions to the lamb. I help him walk to the grave where he spends the next few minutes petting the lamb and kissing its nose. Is it weird that I let my son kiss grave stones????? Maybe. Anyway we head back to the wagon and he pushes it home. He's just like his mom and dad...he loves his routine!!!!!