Not that this family needs an "excuse" to get together... we just enjoying doing so.... but this afternoon there was a special reason.... (I though this was a funny photo -- the two grandpa's and the two chickens behind... sort of looks like they're even sitting the same way!!!)
I love seeing the "grands" together.... Reagan is at an age now where Abi enjoys playing with him... up until just recently she saw him as a baby and more of an annoyance that a pal.... as time goes by, their relationship will only get better....
They spent a long time happily playing in the sand box.....
But this why we were together tonite... it's Nate's birthday!!! (and a big one to boot!!!)
Both sides of the family had a great time, we had a nice cookout (great food) and yummy dessert......
Happy birthday!!!!
The little back deck was crowded.....
Our good friend Glen was visiting from Tennessee.. (he usually comes this way each year about this time)... so, we asked him to pop over too... so nice to have friends that are "there" your whole life....
Now (sadly) I don't know anything about guns, except that this is one that Nate has wanted for sometime. Kassy , Dave and Deb all pitched in and got this for him. As you can see, he was pretty surprised and pleased....
Reagan... playing peek a boo.......
I am coming to realize just how special times like these are and I truly appreciate these moments..... such a nice evening with family and friends... these truly are the times that count the most....
We were back to decking the next day... it's coming along. This is a slower process than traditional wood decking, but when it's done.. it will be all done.... much of the work is done on our hands and knees, and we can only do that for so long. But.. there are finally enough rows where I am brave enough to get up on the deck and hopefully be more help to Ed.
I did make it up there, and was actually of some help... we hit the halfway mark today... and I decided that it was "officially" the first night that we sat out on the deck...
We'll finish it and one day look back and not think of how much work it really all was... but tonite, I'm just sitting here.... resting!!!
The summer is absolutely flying by!!!! I am grabbing every day possible and cramming in as much as I can.... including (and especially) Abi. School starts this fall for her, and with that, and her being at home, and then being with her Dad... I have great fear, that Papa and Baby time, is going to become very precious and not enough. With that in mind, I take her every opportunity possible.....and we do all those "horrid" grandparent things... like staying up way too late!!!!!
Cuddle time with Papa before heading to bed... (and notice Titus getting in on the photo)....
I'm not so sure where that little baby has gone and this beautiful little girl has stepped into her place..... truly... every day is such a gift......
The bees are having a great summer too... I feel like we are adding boxes like crazy... there seems to be enough rain to keeps things growing and they are busy, busy, busy......
I love to go out and just watch them fly......
They're coming in, loaded down with nectar and pollen.... I am expecting a very good honey crop this year!!!!!! and then hopefully we can get threw the winter......
This has also started being an annual "summer event".... the dog and pony show!!! Last summer, I took Mocha over to visit the adults with special needs... she was such a big hit, that we were invited back again this summer.... I think Mocha likes to go as much as they like to have her......
When we arrived, she kept giving me this look like... "are we going to go and say hello... or just stand here in the parking lot???"
Course, I always have to have these photo opts... Mocha, me, Livy and Camille.... ready to go and visit.....
Some of the folks we visited with remembered us from last year, and others were new. Either way, for the most part, the residents loved seeing us.....
At first, some folks aren't so sure about all of this, but Mocha's gentleness soon has made good friends....
She amazes me .... nothing upsets her... sometimes the residents are off balance in their movements, or need some help with walkers, wheelchairs and the like... some pet gently while others are not so refined... and she takes everything in stride....
This young man is a huge horse lover, and he got all dressed up for the occasion, and asked several times to have his picture taken with Mocha....
Smiles are everywhere on a day like this.... this lady was beyond thrilled that Mocha walked up to her. She has trouble stretching her arms out, but she didn't need to go too far, because Mocha was right there....
Course Livy was about to let Mocha have everyone to herself... and she got into every opportunity possible....
And my gentle, sweet Camille..... she took a real shine to this lady and I think there was a special moment between just the two of them.
Everyone is so grateful that we come to visit, but in all honesty... I think it's me that gets the most of out it. And to have such special animals that enjoy being a part of it...
well.. there are not words that can describe this...
There's a saying that goes... "find what you love to do, make it your job and you'll never work a day in your life".... and I have been very blessed to discover... that statement is true. Being a "dog trainer" is one of the greatest joys in my life, and not a class goes by, where I don't remember that. But, this class.. has to be the icing on all the cakes. I am teaching this summer, a class called the Canine Good citizen community class.. and basically, it's designed to work (and test) the dogs on the streets, in real life situations.
I have made this a "traveling class" and so each week my students and I meet at a different place, and put our dogs threw their skills. We have five weeks of prep work, and then on the last class, another instructor, who has never met these dogs.. will pick another location and we will go and be "tested" by her. Last week, the class began, and we hit the malls... this week... it was the BEACH!!!! A perfect summer night, a great group of gals and canines.... I mean really??? this is work?????
We had to practice a number of skills... one being "walking nicely"... Kathleen is working Livy for me (since I am teaching)... and as long as I am close, Livy goes well... but I would say by her backwards walking (in this photo) Livy isn't too impressed that her Mama has fallen behind the group....
Mary, and shepherd Stormy... can you tell he's having a great time in class too.... goes to show.. dog training does not (and should never be) "mean, abusive or breaking their spirit" (as some have said and thought to me)... and I go with the idea, that a well behaved dog is always welcomed.....
Here's my group........
Down stay is another skill that the dogs will need to do on their test night. We practiced on the sidewalk, as all kinds of people went by. And not just people... dogs, bikes, baby carriages.. skate boards.... and the dogs need to just be relaxed and wait.... as pitbull, Daisy and lab, Brutus are so easily doing here.
Glory the boxer.. and Livy show their skills off too....
and so does Storm. Nice he can wear a back pack with his supplies inside... water, clean up bags, and treats... I think the rest of us have to carry our dogs supplies....
Walking along the board walk.. shows that the dogs are comfortable when going over different types of surfaces.... we might not think that walking from tar, cement, sand, dirt, would make any difference.. but to a dog these things are very different....
Waiting politely on the corner, before crossing a street......
Then, we headed into the amusement park.... now talk about "things" to manage here.... the sights, sounds, distractions... were amazing....
and you just have to know that a group of well behaved dogs draws everyone's attention... in fact, it was almost hard to get threw without being stopped, people wanted to know all sorts of things....
now, this isn't part of the 'testing".. but simply because it's fun and we can....
Brutus and Kathleen...
Daisy and Sonya.....
Glory and Martha...
Stormy and Mary......
Our evening ends with stopping for ice cream... just a treat??? No... it's training, because one part of the test... "to work the dogs around food and in crowded situations..." needless to say, they did great, and people all around us were just amazed that they sat or laid quietly and never bothered... even when we were eating....
Not so sure Livy was impressed.... but I am....
and there is still a few more weeks to go....
