The Pioneer Pups

Alli has nick names the puppies The Pioneer Pups because they love to explore. They were getting too nosey for the garage so during the day we have moved them out in a play pen in the shade of the house. We had to cover it as we noticed a hawk was circling the area shortly after we put them out. Now they are safe and sound - Dixie can get in and out but the puppies are happy to be in. Here are the names as best as I can remember, Laura, Junie B, Patches, Snoopy, Check-off (not the right spelling), Cloe, Calvin, Diamond, Bandit and Mozart. They are so cute right now - 2 and 1/2 weeks.

Ain't it Just Grand

Larry and I had the most wonderful get away at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama. We happened on this hotel as we were looking on line for a fun place to go for a couple of days. It was built in 1847 and has such an interesting history. They fire off a canon every afternoon about 330pm and then serve high tea at 4pm in the main lobby. We watched the firing of the cannon but were having too much fun at the beach to go in for tea. We enjoyed our time together at the beach, pool, fishing off the pier with cane poles, fine dining, walking along the marina, and just making new memories together. Im so thankful for the special time we shared together.

A Beautiful Bay Side Walk

One of the things we really enjoyed on our get away was walking along the Bay side path holding hands and looking at all the beautiful homes. There were so many lovey homes but one really was just something to see. We both agreed it was the prettiest house we had ever seen. The pictures don't really show how pretty it is but we sure enjoyed looking at it. We went back a couple of times. After dinner as we were walking someone down the lane was shooting off fireworks that lite up the sky. It was fun to see "our house" all lite up at night and enjoy having a peek inside.

Slow Sunday Afternoon on the Creek

The kids and Lar and I all did some exploring on the creek that runs through our property. I guess it use to be clear and easy to travel but since Katrina moved through here a few years ago and knocked down tons of trees its not so easy going. The water is as low as its been so we headed down stream to see what was around the bend and the next bend and so on. We climbed over a lot of logs and found some really neat coves and outlets. The dogs came with us for a while and then headed back home to wait. Some areas we had to wade up to our waist but mostly knee high or lower. We found a fast moving area with a lot of clams and small fish. So we sat there for a while and enjoyed the cool water and Alli caught the clams and Nick and Lar caught a small fish to bring home. They set up an aquarium when we got home and put the fish in it. We will have to take Makayla back there when she gets home from camp.

Squeezin' in the Fun

We had a great day today out and about together. We had the day together
before Makayla leaves for camp for the week. Just a few days after she gets back from camp she will be jetting off to New York for another week. So we wanted to squeeze in as much fun as we could today. The girls and I headed out shopping while Lar tied up some loose ends at work. Alli and I were finding all kinds of "prom" type gowns for Makayla to try on. She loves to dress up and we found a bunch on sale. We had fun ohhing and ahhing but didn't buy one. We did find her a nice church dress though. There were a couple little silver stones that said Love and Faith on them that I bought for her to take with her. Just something little but she really liked them. From there we met up with Nick and Lar at the Swim Hutch for the end of the year swim party with all the 4-H'rs. We had fun visiting and eating pizza while the kids swam and played. All three kids have really wanted to go to the Paint your Pottery Place so we headed there next. We each found something to paint and enjoyed doing that. Next it was to the Cell phone store to get Mak a cell phone. We got her all set up with a great phone on a pay as you go plan that should work out great. We went to a little seafood place for dinner and spent the time eating and taking pictures of each other and adding them to our phones. Mak had to do both hers and mine since I don't know how to work it other than to call and answer. (most of the time). A day out wouldn't be complete with out some ice cream so we ended the day with a Wendy's frosty and headed for home. Makayla is all packed and
ready to go. She is leaving tomorrow from the church at 10am. I think I told you she is going to be a camp counselor for handicapped kids that are attending the camp. Should be a great time. Thats our day in a nut shell.

Summer Fun with the KIds

The kids and I have had a great day today. We headed out for some Mexican food for our lunch and picked up speed from there. I needed to go by the library and pay my $2.40 fine before the police came a knocking at our door. While we were there Makayla found a couple books she couldn't leave behind. Nick and Alli read theres while they were there. Nick has been wanting to go the Arboretum for quite some time so he could do some drawing and enjoy the tranquil setting. It was decided that Alli and Nick would go to the Arboretum for about an hour while Mak and I ran to one of my favorite stores of late and do a little shopping. We made plans to meet them back at the gate exactly one hour from drop off. As we drove away we noticed that a couple of rain drops hit the windshield - while we were discussing weather I should turn around the Heavens opened up and it just started to pour. It had been about 3 mins since I dropped the kids off and it didn't look like rain. We turned around and they were huddled together near a wooden sign waiting for us. We honked and they rain to the car - laughing the whole way. Mak was just cracking up. So we all headed to Hudson's to wait out the rain. On the way out Nick found a 20.00 bill on the parking lot. We were all shocked. So he treated us all to an ice cream at Wendy's and we headed back to the Arboretum together. The girls and I enjoyed our ice cream at the Pavilion while Nick did some sketching. We had a
great time together and just enjoyed the cool breezes and temperatures that the rain brought with it. Praise the Lord for such great kids and a chance to make some memorys together.

Fun at the Arboretum

The girls and I had fun taking pictures and cracking up while Nick was working on his sketching. We were able to get him to take a few pictures with us in between drawings.

Beatiful Summer Day

Picnic Lunch with the Kids

The kids and I decided it was much too nice to eat our lunch inside today. We have gotten some much needed rain the last couple days which brought the temperatures down to an enjoyable 84 degrees. So we spread out our Micky Mouse comforter on the steps leading down to the creek. It was too wet down there but just right on the bridge. We enjoyed the shade of a large Magnolia tree and the breeze that is promising even more rain on its way. Makayla and I enjoyed a Turkey sandwich with fresh tomatoes from the garden on it and the other two found something that sounded good to them. After lunch Mak read us a chapter out of a book she and Alli are reading together. Alli has a summer cold so she isn't feeling great but she is really enjoying all the extra attention and having big sis read to her.

One Hundred and One Shelties

Dixie started having her puppies Tues night, June 30th, right about bedtime. Alli went outside to call her into the garage and she had fixed her a place near the back deck to have her puppies. One was born about 930pm. By the time the 3rd one was born the kids and I changed out of our jammies and headed to Walmart to buy a small swimming pool to set up in the garage for Dixie to have her puppies in there. We had miss calculated her due date so we weren't quite ready. At about 11:30pm we had things set up in the garage for her and moved her and her 4 puppies inside. We made sure she was okay and then decided to let her take care of everything and we would check on her in the morning. I was really suprised the next morning when I counted 10 puppies. This is her first litter and her last. She is a good mom and takes great care of them. She has 6 girls and 4 boys.