We decided there weren't any fish at Ayer Park (see prior post), so we headed to Lermond Pond with Lee's new Old Town canoe (I think it's a Discovery Sport 15 if you're curious). We didn't catch any fish there either. Oh well.

Ethan went fishing for the first time today. First, Grampa Pelletier took Ethan & me (Jeff) to Ayer Park on Seven Tree Pond in Union. 

My brother Kris came a little early to our cookout to help me remove a poorly-built entryway from the front of our house. With all the things the guys in my family accomplished for me Saturday, it leaves me thinking I should have a cookout every weekend! 

A redneck in his natural habitat: his truck. 

Can I just say that I LOVE having rednecks in the family? The stump in the picture used to be in a section of my yard that I'm trying to turn into lawn. We chopped a couple of the roots, and a few twitches from Josh's 3/4 ton Chevy 4x4 was all it took to have the whole stump out of the ground. Thanks Josh! L to R: Josh Callahan, my brother in law; Don Ficek, Emily's dad; Lee Pelletier, mom's husband; Me; and Joel, my brother. 

Doodelie-doo (our nickname for Maggie Callahan) with her pop 

Ethan enjoying some watermelon during our pre-Memorial Day cookout 

Grandma Ficek teaching Ethan some exercises during her visit. 

This is my sister Julie just after her piano recital. The recital was a joint effort between Carrie Clement of Ledgewood Studios and the studios of Vanessa Ellis, both of Camden. Julie is one of the more advanced students. I'll add a link to the article from our local online newspaper if it becomes available. The recital got a glowing review from the print version of the local paper. 

Another brand new cousin! This is Emma, my brother Kris & his wife Sarah's daughter. She was born 4 days before Asa.

Here's Ethan laughing raucously waiting for the frog (see prior post) to drop.

Mom & Dad Ficek had great fun last night giving Ethan a bath. The green thing in the top left corner of the screen is a rubber frog Dad was playing with...er...I mean entertaining Ethan with. 

Dad with Asa 

Mom with Asa 

Mom & Dad Ficek are here visiting from Michigan for a week. The forecast is pretty dreary but we're enjoying the visit just the same. 

Kids just don't get much cuter than this. Here's a shot of Josiah & Hannah Burgess--their parents are my brother Jason & his wife Saralyn. 

Here's Ethan & his cousin Josiah watching a "Billage Moobie" at Grandma Pelletier's house. He likes to watch "Quigley's Village" movies, a series of kid's shows that use puppets and a few live actors to teach Biblical values. http://www.visionvideo.com/111-1111111-1111111_762.vhtml Our thanks goes to Chris & Amy Roman, who gave us several of these Q.V. movies that their kids had outgrown. While we limit Ethan's TV time, good entertainment does give mom & dad a nice break. These movies have rescued us from the constant silliness of Pooh and the utter uselessness of SpongeBob Squarepants.

Ethan meets Asa for the first time. 

Asa Donlee Burgess

For the 2nd time in our lives, God has entrusted us with one of His most precious creatures. Asa Donlee Burgess was born at 3:13AM on Thursday, May 12, 2005. He weighs about 8lbs 5oz right now and is doing very well. Em's 4 1/2 hour labor was substantially better than the last one, which lasted over 24 hours. Thanks to all who prayed for us!

Asa