July....ah yes, it's my Birthday this month. I became "officially" eight years old. Seems like I've been saying that for a long time and now, finally it's here. Well, yes, there were other things that happened this month too, but that was the biggie.

The other really big thing was that I now have a cousin. YES....a first cousin named Eli. Most of you already know this, but Uncle Brian and Aunt Kristi have given me a cousin born on the 29th of June. You would have thought that he would have waited until July 6th and be born on my birthday. NO WAIT!! That would mean that I would have to share things, and maybe I don't want to give up the presents and stuff. He might get more than I do and that's wouldn't be too good.

Things have slowed down a bit for me. Sports have all but ended, I'm taking some swimming lessons and went to Bible School one week this month. So basically I spend three days a week at day care, then the other two days with each Ma Maw. I'm not really big on this day care place...frankly I don't really care much for it, but I have to be somewhere, and that seems to be it.

OK, the summer is slipping away quickly and it won't be too long before school begins again. I'll be in the third grade this time. HEY...I'm growing up, you know!!

Ma Maw and Pa Paw Jerry took me up to Amish Country for an overnight at Mohican Lodge and some great activities. Here is what we did the first day; Once we arrived we secured a canoe and paddled down this river for about two hours, then went to the Lodge, checked in and went swimming for another hour. Once we finished that we drove back to Loudenville and rode the go-karts (they were really fast)...then played a round of miniture golf. Of course, we found time to have dinner after that. Once back at the lodge we played ping pong and shuffle board until it was time for bed. I really didn't want to go to bed, but I didn't have a choice. The next morning after breakfast we went for a long walk that included some bird watching. We checked out of the Lodge, then headed to Mt. Hope for lunch at Mrs. Yoders place. Then it was off to an Amish Farm where we toured an autheneic house once owned by the Amish, then through their barns where they had all kinds of animals...I fell in love with a puppy there. Then we got to ride in an Amish Buggy and visit an Amish Schoolhouse. It was really great and a whirlwind of a trip for us.

See ya soon,
Jake