Thursday, July 30, 2009

Baby Face(s)

I am beginning to wonder if I will EVER get a normal picture of this child. She has become a master of the eye evasion, the silly face, and avoidance tactics extraordinaire. She may live to regret it. Be careful little missy, this just may come back one day and bite you on the bum.


And then there is this one. The tortured look, the hands on the ears. Don't you just feel his pain? However it doesn't take much to turn this..


into this.


Ok so he's not smiling but at least he looks normal. I have high hopes for this one.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Life Lessons

Life is a journey.  When you start out on this wonder filled adventure it is often good to have a friend ride along with you.


They may come in handy on those up-hill climbs.


And sometimes it is ok to let someone push you around for awhile.


Just smile and enjoy the ride.


Because sooner or later you are going to run into an obstacle.


During these times you might find it helpful to switch drivers.


And of course there are moments when everyone has to push.


Should tension arise and you find yourself being squeezed out of the driver's seat...


Don't give up hope.  Just look around, you might find an open window.


Besides, there is always more than one way to view every situation.


The road is long and bumpy.  When you run out of gas or face mechanical difficulties don't ever forget that two heads are better than one and,


 a helping hand is always welcome.


Wherever life leads you always remember that the road is easier when shared with a friend.


Back yard wisdom provided by Allie and Gabers.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Dog Training 102

I know that you are eagerly anticipating an update with regard to Henna's and my (is that grammatically correct) obedience training.


I am delighted to inform that we are both progressing quite nicely. We are fast approaching our final class and the news is good. For the past two weeks our little girl has been the star pupil. It's amazing. It is as if someone turned on the light in her head and she gets it. She gets that if she does what is expected there is a juicy reward for her. And she does it willingly and successfully over and over again. At least while attached to a 6 foot lead.

And to reward the little student for her effort we spent some time the other day playing catch in K-K-K Katy's back yard. (It happens to be enclosed by a nice little fence!)


She loves running free in the grass, free from that 6 foot lead, free from expectations to perform, free to be dog.


Don't you just love the way those cute little ears bob up and down when she's running?


When she tired of the game I thought we should test her new found skills while off leash. Off leash and free to make her own decisions.

Henna....HENNA...Come.


That's right. Look over here.


Come on on girl, you can do it. That's it. Over here. I have a juicy bite of hot dog waiting for you.


Ahhh Ohhhhhh


I guess we all make bad decisions once in ahwile. I wonder if there is space available in the remedial class?

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

BFF K

This is K.  She is one of my BFFs.  (I may not look like a kid, but I know the lingo!)


K visits me on Marco every summer.  It wouldn't be July if K didn't spend a few days recharging her batteries with us.  This year she almost didn't make the trip.  But cooler heads prevailed and she arrived on schedule.  

We don't do a lot when she visits.  Well, we talk a lot.  At least D thinks so.  (His testosterone saturated brain just does not compute the need we women have to chat with our friends.)  We do however manage at least one trip to the beach for sunset.  It's tradition.  The sunset wasn't spectacular on this night but the company was. 


K had her first encounter with No-Seeums on this visit.  Her education was swift and comprehensive.  So much so that she could pen her own blog post about those pesky little critters.  

She also had an encounter with another pesky little critter that evening.


The Pooperazzi.


Put a camera in his hand and he just doesn't know when to stop.



K is also somewhat conflicted.  (Did you notice the Auburn shirt and the Bo Sox hat?) Seriously, just who does she believe in?

For a southern girl this Bo Sox thing she has going on just doesn't compute.  I know that she is a baseball fan (atic).  Heck her entire family is baseball crazy.   They actually plan family vacations around visits to Major League Baseball parks.  I think it's a sickness.  But I'll overlook it.  


After all, she is one of my bestest BFFs.

Parting Shots

I know, I know, it's about time I posted the last batch of July 4th photos.  It's the retirement thing.  I am just so busy.  Doing what you ask?  Darned if I know.

The day following the 4th Allie and Grammy hit the beach for some fun in the sand and surf.  In times past Miss A was only interested in playing in the sand, building castles that could be trampled.  But things have changed.


This time she was much more interested in playing in the water and jumping waves.  Since waves on the southwest coast of Florida usually don't amount to much, they were just the right size for our girl.



Meanwhile back at the ranch Pappy and Gabers did whatever Pappy and Gabers do when spending time alone and the big kids went fishing.  The kind of 10-miles off shore fishing that ultimately means fish for dinner.  And they didn't disappoint.  

They returned mid afternoon with stories of  calm seas and an 8' Hammerhead shark.  It seems S hooked the big guy and had his fair share of fun trying to reel it in.  B took pictures (which can be found on her blog, www.bethanypatton.blogspot.com along with other tales of the day).  

It's always a relief to see our little boat round the corner on it's last leg home after a long day of off-shore fishing.  It's an even better sight to see uplifted glasses...a sure sign that there will indeed be fish for dinner.


The cooler was full of Lane Snapper and the boys spent the next hour cleaning fish.


Once the work was done it was time to play.  Allie enjoyed her airborne antics but 


it was a different scene when Daddy and Uncle Chris attempted "the toss."


Maybe someone should spend more time in the weight room.

On Monday we waved good-bye to the SC clan.  Chris and Jennifer spent the rest of the week soaking in the sun, lounging in the pool and doing some fishing of their own.  There was a boat trip to Keewayden Island where Lady was allowed to run the beach and chase the birds.  Getting her back on the boat was another matter.


And Grammy always enjoys her grandchildren, even the four-legged variety.



We ended their stay with a short photo shoot.  (Why do I always have to beg for a photo shoot?  You would think they would be used to it by now!)



Come back soon everyone, we miss you.



Thursday, July 16, 2009

July 4th Fun

It's a rare fourth of July that at least a portion of our family doesn't migrate to south Florida and this year was no exception.  Or perhaps it was.  This year they were ALL here for the long holiday weekend and I think it is safe to say that a good time was had by all.

The fourth dawned hot, humid and sunny.  Perfect weather for a "3 hour cruise" to one of our favorite haunts, a small spit of  sand fondly dubbed the "shelling island."  S and I first discovered the shelling island the summer of 1999 shortly after moving to Marco.  It was much larger back then with an abundance and variety of seashells never before seen by these northern transplants.  Time and three severe storm seasons took it's toll on our little treasure and after Hurricane Wilma the island disappeared completely.  

The beauty of nature is that while often times it takes away it frequently gives in return and that is what has happened here.  Last summer we noticed the small island was beginning to emerge anew from the blue Gulf waters.  And while not yet back to its former glory the little island is once again a gold mine for shell seekers.



Shell Island is also a popular location for local beach goers on weekends and holidays and to have it almost to ourselves all day amazed us.  I guess it is just another sign of a poor economy.  

The boys fished, Allie played and the girls drifted along in the warm gulf water soaking in the sun and the beauty of the day.  Some of us were silly.


Others more serious.


Allie couldn't get enough of Aunt Jen Jen or Uncle Chris.


In fact, when Chris unveiled a metal detector mid afternoon Allie was a 1/2 step behind.


In answer to her inquiry regarding the odd contraption Chris informed her they were going to hunt for treasure.  Allie quickly replied "look for the X!'  (She's only 3, where does she get this stuff?)


But treasures were indeed uncovered.  Three to be exact.  A metal stake and two tarnished quarters remained tightly clasped in little girl hands and I know there were daydreams of pirates and treasure chests dancing in her head.


It was a good day.  No, it was a near perfect day.  A day for strengthening family ties and making memories that will warm cold winter days ahead.




The fireworks on the beach that evening were almost as beautiful as the day.  But nothing could beat the sunset that evening.


A beautiful ending to a perfect day.