july - the first few days

 While we were at Storyland, little Debbie went and spent a couple of nights at Kelli and Rick's. Being too little to make a service dog outing to Storyland and obviously not being able to stay at home, it was the perfect spot for her to head. So, the next day, Abbie couldn't wait to go and pick her up and get to meet her.

Debbie is a very different pup from Rylie... and at first, Abbie was a bit surprise at her energy. I don't think Debbie is really a "huggy" dog... but Abbie was determined to try just the same....

Debbie was much happier when they worked out a compromise.... I asked Abbie what she thought of Debbie and I don't know if she has really made up her mind just yet.....

In the afternoon, we "moved" to camp... it's the fourth of July weekend, all the kids are coming to spend some time at the lake, and the weather is hot and "perfect" for July. We had a big cookout on the fourth... with everyone enjoying the water, and good food....

Debbie got a lesson in swimming....

Abbie kept a close eye on her new little friend. Debbie seemed to really enjoy the water.... and most of the other dogs got in as well.....

But Abbie got the prize for the longest time in the water.... she basically got to camp... into the water and after that only came out to grab something to eat and went right back into the water. She is not afraid and loves to be in the water....

Hunter had a small swim and then was happy to just snooze on the deck.... the life of our dogs...

Reagan was happy to use the jumper and enjoy everyone's coming and going's...

Abbie was so happy to get adults in the water because it means that she can "go in the deep part"... here she's hangin' out with Papa!!!!

"go out into the deeper parts Papa".....

Next year, Reagan will be swimming with the rest.. but this year... the kitchen sink gets to be "his" own private pool.....

Though playing with the running water is  kind of fun....

At the end of the day the promise of s'mores is what finally pulled Abbie from the water... I think she made two or three of them, sat quietly and in about 3 minutes she was out like a light........

Friday morning, my plan was to just hang out beside the lake... enjoy the water and the quiet time at camp... but DAVE had a different idea.... HAY!!!! and as you well know, one makes hay while the sunshines...

We tried to talk our guests into going to the hay field with us.. but we didn't have any takers, some how the lake was much more appealing than a hot hay field... (can't understand that one LOL)

Hat and gloves... not what I was thinking for a hot summer day... but it works.....

Pretty scene though, and again...that hay tucked up in the barn for next winter use will be a good feeling....

Oh dear, the field was soft in places from all the thunderstorms that we have gotten in the late afternoons...I thought I had avoided them... but as you can see... I didn't....

Fortunately, getting a tractor and a chain wasn't too much trouble, and Dave pulled us out without any troubles....

And just in case you were wondering "what" the temp was.... the truck proudly announced... "93"......

All in all, the time in the field went quick. Dave hopped off the tractor and gave us a hand loading.... and back at the farm, we had a crew of young folks waiting to help put in into the loft. Hey Snuggies... this is your first "getting the hay in" ......

(think he looks a little worried to learn that both sets of his crazy grandparents are into this "hay season" thing!!!!)

"Daddy.... will I really have to help with haying like you do????"

I'm not so sure that we have ever put hay away so fast before. I guess we should just "call the Marines in" every year for hay season.... 215 bales were tucked away in about 25 minutes!!!!! Then the elevator was pulled back into the loft and between the two loads that we picked up.. we have 400 bales for next winter. So thankful "that" job is all done....

After that, we all decided that ice cream was the best idea for supper......

Big day for Reagan... first experience "haying" and now a taste of ice cream.. that's a great way to end a very busy day....

and an amazing sunset closes out a very fun day....

four months!!!

 

Look at "our" beauitful little guy!!! Four months already!!! He is such a happy baby.. Kass reports that he basically sleeps threw the night, is beginning to roll over, and smiles when he sees people that he knows. He has also begun to laugh (though I haven't heard that yet). I find my self checking out the trucks and things at the store and beginning to think "what" he will have to have for Christmas!!!

 

Happy four months, Snuggie!!!!!

Storyland!!!!!

It certainly hasn't taken Debbie long to "move in" on all of us. She is sweet, adorable and full of beans... we are falling in love. Her name is very unusual (I think) for a puppy, but since I know that most of the NEADS puppies are named for a special reason... I am sure that "Debbie" has some special story behind her name.

The only "problem" is.. I have some very special people in my life with the name Debbie, and it's a little hard to call my puppy by that name. One such person is Deb... Nate's Mom.... who happens to think that "Debbie" is a perfect name for this little girl, and she has promised to be Debbie's "dog-mother"... I think that little Debbie approves of her "dog mother"......

She knows how to "worm" into her Daddy's heart too.... hop up in his lap and look really, really cute.... (Ed is such a "moosh")..... so, looks like she is pretty happy to be spending her first year of life with us..here on the farm... and I can only hope that I do as good a job as I can with her... I'll certainly try!!!!!

but onto another story... Ed and I promised Abbie and Naomi that we would take them to Storyland this summer... without their parents!!!! (that way we can properly spoil them!!!). Fearing that summer would get by without us doing this, I made a date and got both the girls from the Moms.... and off we went. The day was very grey and rainy, we debated about going another day.. and then decided we would chance it... and maybe get OK weather and the park wouldn't be too busy... (we got our wish). First stop.. the picture frame.......

And two little girls smiled the entire day... just like this!!!!!

There is something truly wonderful about being in a place were everything is just your size... and that big people don't fit so well. The girls ran into every little house (this is the three bears....)

And certainly had the most wonderful time in the tree house. Wouldn't it be fun to have t his in your back yard???

Or perhaps a pumpkin house would be more to your liking........

Little Miss Muffet's spider came to call.......

And the swan boat was perfect for a quiet ride.... Abbie thought this might be quite fun to have at the lake... I must say, I agree...

We just happened to catch Cinderella at home this day. She said the Prince was out on a hunting trip, so she was just waiting for him and visiting with the guests of Storyland. Abbie was completely taken by her and could hardly think what to say.....

There was some serious discussion about the glass slipper.......

A pumpkin coach of your own... perhaps we could bring this home and try it out with either Duke or Tonka!!! that would be quite the eye catcher going down the road!!!!!

But here's my favorite for sure.... the carousel... I just love this carousel and personally, would have been just as happy to spend the entire day here. Both the girls took 'forever" to find just the right horse... I like how Naomi's horse matched her outfit!!!!

Abbie actually made a pretty close match herself.....

As for me, any one of those beautiful horses will do!!!!!!

We shot at pirate ships......

And went on the roller coaster... TWICE!!! yup, that's me... I have never ridden a roller coaster until I became a Grandmother!!!! Actually, that might have been just one slight drawback with NOT bring the parents with us... Either Papa or Baby had to ride with the girls.... I have never done so many rides in one day!!!!

Actually I was pretty pleased with myself for handling so many of the rides.... usually I'm not a "ride" kind of gal.... but I didn't want these little ones to miss out on one thing!!!!

One of the many neat things about Storyland is there truly is something for everyone. And we pretty much worked out a deal with the girls, that one 'wild" ride meant the next would be "quiet"... like the little train... though here, Abbie was already planning the next "wild" ride... (the train was a bit boring she thought)....

Flying whales were much more her speed........

They spent sometime at the "water park" even though the day was cool. We at least talked them out of the water rides.. which was a shame because those are fun... but neither Papa nor I really wanted to be soaking wet all day long.....

How I ever got talked into the spinning turtles was beyond me. And though it really was fun......

The ride got to be a bit much... even for the kids. And it turned out to the last ride I could manage... spinning turtles will be on the "no" list from here on... even for the kids I think....

The little cars were a big hit, even if they went on the "quiet" ride list. Both the girls could take an adult and got to drive......

Two rain showers did come threw during the day... both times we really lucked out... for one rain shower we were visiting Heidi's house and her Grandfather invited us inside until the rain passed.... the girls just had a great time watching the rain out the little windows....

And the safari ride offer us the chance to cage these two for the ride!!!!!














When the second rain shower came.. we were in the "ball factory"...Ed and I had a chance to sit and just let the girls go. It was the perfect spot to end the day, because by the time they had run here and there threw the "ball factory" both of them were saying that they were tired.


The ride home was very, very quiet...... I don't think we were 10 minutes down the road and they were out like little lights. Such a great day.. such memories for Ed and I as we took our own two little girls there, and now, we take the next generation with us. Course next year.. Reagan will join the troops and we might lift the "rule" of no parents... but we'll have to see what next summer brings!!!!