Runaway

This morning Jim put Betty in her play pen at about 7:30 am. She was extremely quiet back in her pen -- I can ususally hear her warbling. But I was busy so I didn't pay much attention. When Gracie got up around 9:30 am, she went to the front window where Daisy lays and was petting her. All of a sudden, she let out a scream! Betty was out in the front yard by herself.....and she had been there for 2 hours!



She was no worse for the wear! But she was a little thirsty. I put her back in her play pen only to have her break out later in the day. And this was where I found her:

Just in time

I found out last week that I have paid off Drew and Gracie's braces! This is huge since I have been making payments for years. And it is ironic that Gracie's teeth are paid off right as she decides she wants to be an ice hockey goalie....

The next Anaheim Duck???

Gracie has decided she wants to play ice hockey and....she wants to be the goalie! Not sure how that all developed because we tried to persuade her to try hockey for about a year and then finally gave up when she resisted. Then out of no where - she comes up with this idea. So hockey lessons start tomorrow. And if you think we are being over the top by getting her in lessons right away, I just have to point out that scholarships for female hockey players are plentiful....especially for goalies! So there is a method to this madness!

Company Picnic

I know I have shared or was it bragged... about the cool company I work for - and here comes another one. This weekend we went to the company picnic, which included, among other things, the following:

• 4 rock climbing walls
• segways
• water balloon fights
• panning for gold
• carnival games
• mad science experiments (we made slime and super balls)
• bands (adult and kids)
• and all the food you could eat!!!!

Mobilization

As you know, we have a 4 legged house guest. Generally she is very well behaved -- except if she gets out the front door! On Saturday morning we were getting packed up to head to hockey and Lucy snuck out behind Drew and took off like her butt was on fire! She rounded the corner and was on the next block in a split second.

I was so proud of my family's response - we mobilized like a troop of Army Rangers! Jim, Gracie and Daisy Mae headed off on foot; Drew ran and jumped on his bike; I ran and got a treat and jumped in my car! All without any discussion (unless you call "oh shit!" a discussion). Lucy was rounded up within 2 minutes! Quite impressive if I do say so myself.

Growth Update

Drew is 12 1/2 years old, is 5 foot 6 and 1/4 inches and wears a size mens 11 shoe! It used to be cute, but I am getting alarmed!

Oh Lucy!!!!!

Lucy is our house guest for the next few days. She was out helping wash the car tonite and got a little wet. Let's just say....she has bad hair! She looks totally goofy when she gets wet! Hair everywhere!

A Man and His Cat

Marty loves his cat and Journey.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ6G2aY_J2g

Lost and found

I left my sunglasses at Tina, Marty and Mari's last nite. When I went to get them this morning, this is what I found!

Dirty Dog

Today we were all in my office and we kept smelling dirty feet. We put Drew's flip flops in the washing machine and had him wash his feet. But we still smelled it.....Then we all took a sniff of the dog. YUCK - she smelled like dirty feet!

Time for a bath! Drew threw her in the bathtub and lathered her up. Ay one point he turned the shower head on and she stood there trying to lick the drops of water as they came down.

Labs are great! You can do anything to them.

Guest Blogger

My mom sent me the following email about her trip to see Mama Mia with Grace:

"Gracie seemed to really enjoy the movie. Here we were...way different generations, laughing at the same things. And she said she liked the music. Me too! It was a good day."

So delightful that a grandma and granddaughter can have such nice day together!

Sticker Shock

Buyer's remorse....I am not sure what to call it.

I just bought Drew's textbooks for his private school. The were $375 for one semester and we still have about $100 worth of books to buy!

I don't know what to say....

Sleep Over

On Saturday nite, all the kids were over for Amelia's first sleep over. Brian and Diana brought her crib mattress to make it easier on her. She had no trouble at all....except she chattered until 11:oo pm. The next day, all the kids (including her brothers) said they didn't want to have a sleep over with her again because she talked to much! These pics were take at 6:21 am.

Kayakers

Here are a couple great shots of the kayakers coming down the river where we camp.

Dog Rescue

I was just sitting here waiting for everyone to get back from the fireworks at the lake and had a surprise visitor. Mari was on the couch reading and she started saying "ah, ah, oh no". I looked up and there was an animal in the doorway....She yelled and Daisy Mae went running.

At first I thought it was a racoon but then realized it was a dog! And he was running in our house because he was afraid of the fire works. Daisy chased it up the driveway. I called her back and put her in the house. When I went back out front the dog came running to me!

I brought him in and seperated all the dogs (remember Chad is here). We waited for the fireworks to stop and then took the dog out on a leash hoping that someone was out looking for him. We let him lead the way and sure enough, he led us right to his house. His owners were down at the lake but a neighbor came out and said, "that's Linus". He walked us right to the front door. The door was unlocked so I opened it, let Linus in and we went home!

All in all, a successful rescue.

Vacation pics

A few pics from Cherry.

Fire Camp

On the way to camping we went by the fire camp for a big wild fire. It was amazing -- it was like a little city. The fire is now contained and we have heard the fire fighters are starting to head home.

Another rescue

This one wasn't really a rescue, it was just helping out a bunch of kayakers that were dog tired. The had just come down the river to the lake where we were camping and they had to paddle 6 miles across the lake to get back to their cars. They had just spent 3 days in the wilderness - 1 day hiking 12 miles with 100 pounds of gear and kayaks and 2 days kayaking down the river. They asked if we would be willing to tow them to the other end of the lake. Always ready for an adventure, Jim said yes right away. All but one of the kayakers made the trip in their kayaks. One road with Jim, Marty and the kids. The kayakers paid Jim in Whiskey!

The funny part is the Daisy Mae HATES kayakers! She was ready to chew off their limbs while they were getting tied up. I had to put on her collar and hold her. She always freaks out when she sees them come down the river and was not pleased they were in our camp. It was literally the meanest I have ever seen her.

Doggy Burrito

This is how Chad sleeps when he is on the boat at nite. First we put on his Patagonia and then we wrap him in a blanket like you wrap a baby in a blanket. He sleeps that way all nite.