Ohio Part II

Sunday morning Dave finally made it out for a run for the first time in 6+ weeks. Half the run was on the Cleveland MetroParks trails that ring center Cleveland.

Late on Sunday morning we got all of our ducks in a row and started heading towards Lakeside. We went by Great Grandman and Greatgrandpa's graves on the way up.

We took the slow route up along highways 2 and 6 - both scenic byways because of parks, old nice homes and old industry to look at.

We stopped for lunch at Quaker's Steak and Lube: Great food and a great place for the kids to watch the boats go by while waiting for our food.

The we drove the remaining 20 minutes to Lakeside and checked into the Lakeside Hotel - built in 1857.

After that we walked around to see the sights: water, beaches, cottages, shops, etc.

From 6pm to 7pm we watched the band Pantasia from Findlay, OH - an all steel drum band. They were very good.

After dinner at Sloopy's we split up to get the kids in bed or to play minature golf. Dave was trounced by his brothers' in law.

Elissa and Sean watch boats in the harbor from Quakers'

Sean and Ellissa pose as fried food

Pantasia, a steel drum band from Findlay High School, performs - they were good

Sean drums along on a tree

Ohio 2009 Part I

After relatively smooth flights Friday the entire Boyce clan from Texas gathered in Cleveland to visit relatives from Nana's side of the family (the Ross clan.) Everyone is staying at Sean's Great Grandma Ross' house in North Royalton. Saturday we toured the port and the Cuyahoga River on the Good Times III tour boat - a two hour tour. Saturday evening we went to David and JoAnn Ross' house for dinner. A good time was by all, catching up and watching the kids.

Kathleen (Nana) and her three brothers and three children, husband, mother, two neices and two grand children

The Good Times III

A fire boat on the river

Nick and Elissa on the Good Times III

Cleveland is also known as "The City of Bridges" There are an impressive number of fixed, lift, swing and jack knife bridges over the river, most still in use. The following link has pictures of the different types of bridges. The bridge in the foreground, above, is a lift bridge that had just lifted to let us through. Cleveland Bridges

Downtown Cleveland skyline. The taller building on the left is the Terminal Tower. This 52 story building was the 2nd tallest building in the world when finished in 1930 and was the tallest building in the U.S. outside of New York City until 1964. (when the Prudential Center in Boston MA was completed.) There are now about 20 buildings in Houston alone that exceed the height of the Terminal Tower.

Aunt JoAnn and her family put together great gift bags for Sean and Elissa. The most fun was Elissa's box of sidewalk chalk. Here, Grandpa helps out.

Jeannie helps Elissa and Sean color

Mid-July

July has been a busy month for the Pastas with lots of busy weekends. Unfortunately, we have not been very good at picture taking this month!

For the 3rd we went to Dave's work friends 4th of July party in Beach City at his house on the Bay. He has a huge swimming pool that Sean loved. He even got hit in the head with a water polo ball and just said "ouch!" Barbara hit her engagement ring on a door frame, checked to make sure the diamond was still there (it was,) and 10 minutes later it was not! We were a little horrified. However, by means means we cannot explain, it showed up on our bedroom floor two days later. We are still trying to figure that one out.

On the 4th we celebrated the 4th Friendswood style, with a huge parade down main street (I am not kidding - it was impressive) followed by a concert at the park.

On the 5th we went to a party to celebrate the birth of Tyler Elliott. It was hosted by Barbara, Heather and Carol and was a smashing success. Tyler (as in the Tyler Rose - Earl Campbell) has had some difficulties and has not yet made it out of the hospital, so please keep him in your prayers.

Last week Barbara was in San Francisco for a week for business. Daddy, having lost his teddy bear, slept with Sean all week - not a good idea of course. Two days after Barbara got back we coaxed Sean back to his bed after having played "tent" in the living room all evening by making a tent over his bed. What kid could resist?

Mom says goodnight

Sean says goodnight!

A sneak peak from the Florida pictures that still have not been published!