Sunday was terrific. We spent the day at Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, Va., where we got to hang out with Lia’s sister’s cool family. Joe got to play with his cousins, Lia went down the big girl waterslides (three times, we’re so proud of her), and I ate a steak.

Thanks again Amy and Rich!

No pictures – it was a pool with hundreds of kids and I didn’t want to be the 40-year old bearded guy with a camera.

Anyway, I like looking at old pictures and seeing Joe in similar situations but years apart. Here he is hunting Nazis in 2008 (two months old, his first visit to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, Fayetteville, N.C.)

2012 (same spot at the ASOM)

It rained for a week straight, ending with a snow fall. To celebrate the return of the sun, here are some shots of Joe swinging over the years.

2008

2009

More 2009

2011

2012

We got snow last night. Our family to the north might laugh, but it was enough to close most schools. Still, unusual for us, and kids deserve a snow day every once in a while.

We have about 4,500 photos of Joe. That’s 1,000 a year since he was born, and likely thousands more than were taken of most people my age during our entire lives.

Of all these pictures, I don’t think Joe’s ever been caught on real film. So let me present, captured by a 1973 Yashica Electro 35 in all his Kodak splendor, what I believe to be the first images of Joe on film.

Forget Oprah and Lance Armstrong – what people really want to hear about is blocks.

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013 (Lola is a skilled photobomber, one of the best ever. Well played, Lola.)

Joe is not impressed by Iron Mike or a threatening North Carolina sky.

While in Fayetteville for the holiday, Joe and I stopped by the Airborne & Special Operations Museum. I was working here when I met Lia’s mom and first saw Lia, and where Lia and I later had our wedding reception.

Joe walked the whole thing, no easy task. Here he is with a load of 173rd guys hitting the ground in Vietnam. Go Herd!

Joe’s grandpa (right) also hit the ground with the 173rd in Vietnam. He didn’t do it as cute.

The next day we all went to the Fascinate U children’s museum, where Joe knocked over some other kid’s block tower (mine).

Say goodbye Joe…

Joe and his momma enjoying the colors last weekend at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s GardenFest of Lights.

Joe says “Happy New Year!”